The Damned United by Red Ladder Theatre Company at West Yorkshire Playhouse
IT is 1974. Brian Clough, the enfant terrible of British football, tries to redeem his career and reputation by winning the European Cup with his new team. Leeds United. The team he has openly despised for years, the team he hates and which hates him. Don Revie’s Leeds.
Adapted from David Peace’s brilliant and ingenious novel, The Damned United takes the audience inside the tortured mind of a genius slamming up against his limits and brings to life the beauty and brutality of football, the working man’s ballet.
Red Ladder Theatre Company celebrates their 50th anniversary this year.
It was founded in 1968 in London but soon moved to Leeds in the early 1970s where it has been based ever since.
It is now known as one of the UK leading touring companies.
However, they always perform at least one production in the local area, either at West Yorkshire Playhouse or City Varieties.
The company has worked with some excellent writers over the years including Alice Nutter, David Peace and Emma Adams.
There are only three actors in the production, Luke Dickson as Brian Clough, David Chaffer as Peter Taylor and Jamie Smelt playing the roles of Manny Cussins the Leeds United Chairman and Sam Longson the Derby County Chairman plus various other roles.
Luke Dickson was excellent in his portrayal of Clough as was David Chaffer as Taylor.
Likewise, Jamie Smelt performed well in his various roles.
The action switched from 1974 and Clough’s appointment at Leeds back to his early footballing career at Sunderland and then his various managerial roles at Hartlepool United and Derby County.
The production was superbly directed by Red Ladder’s Artistic Director Rod Dixon with some great special effects on the large screen at the back of the stage which portrayed various events during Clough’s career.
Clough’s forty-four days at Leeds United superbly portrayed in an hour and a quarter. Great viewing for any Leeds United fan.
The Damned United continues at West Yorkshire Playhouse until Saturday, April 7.
- by John Burland
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