Footballers descend on the Island Hall

The footballing dancers and singers are all members of local youth theatre group, Fusion Theatre, who are taking to the pitch on stage when they perform the musical ‘The Boys in the Photograph’, by Ben Elton and Andrew Lloyd Webber, which is set around a youth football team in Belfast at the start of what we now often refer to as ‘The Troubles’.

In fact, the musical isn’t just set in that violent and dark time, but directly addresses the issue of violence, politics and nationalism, as the young members of the team are caught up in the violence around them, and ultimately have to decide on whether to turn their backs on their families, or on that violence.

Without giving away the plot of the musical, it is fair to say that the production, expertly directed by Ian Milford, has been receiving an emotional reception at the group’s rehearsals.

Chairperson, Anne McCleary explained that the production is by turns funny, moving, energetic, tuneful and on occasion very close to the knuckle.

The language is honest and true to the people and generation it represents, which is perhaps why it resonates to much with those of us who lived through that time.

Anne stresses that the show is not really suitable for those who are under 14, because of both the subject matter and the language. However she also emphasises that the music is memorable, and the story heartfelt.

And those dancing footballers? At one point in the production, an entire musical number represents a football match, choreographed with her customary artistic flair by Rebecca Leonard. Strange as it may seem, Rebecca has somehow managed to turn football moves into dance, without making it look like anything other than a football match.

The atmosphere of the production is firmly rooted in the period of 1969/1970, largely due to the huge set, designed and painted by local student Maria Mallon, and constructed at their new accommodation at the Lisburn Enterprise Park, by the Fusion set team, led by Stage Manager Neil McGarry, and featuring Peter McNally, Colum Campbell, Paul McConnell, Peter McEvoy, and Peter McCluskey. They have recreated a Parish Hall, a church, Divis Tower, a prison, a street and house in West Belfast, as well as the Europa Hotel and even a football pitch and changing rooms.

‘The Boys in the Photograph’ runs at the Island Hall until Saturday February 11 and tickets are on sale from the Box Office on 9250 9254.