Review: WOULD YOU BET AGAINST US?, Birmingham Rep

Photo credit: Manuel Harlan

Celebrating Aston Villa’s greatest ever triumph (winning the 1982 European Cup), Would You Bet Against Us? is a story of the underdog, and of challenging expectations.

Directed by Ursula Martinez and Michael Vale, Told By An Idiot’s Artistic Director and writer of the piece, Paul Hunter, relives the build up to Aston Villa’s win in a partly biographic way, from the point of view of the fan, in an almost “one man show”.

From going to matches with his Dad, to deciding he wanted to be an actor, to re-enactments of interviews with the then manager Ron Saunders and the goals scored in the competition, it is a hilarious and sometimes sad story.

The use of puppetry, designed and made by Lyndie Wright, directed by Rachel Leonard and performed by Lori Hopkins, Heather Lai and Kyll Thomas-Cole who also play various other parts throughout, is touching and marks some poignant moments in the tale.

Paul Hunter’s caricature of Ron Saunders is spot on and extremely funny, and his reliving of auditioning for drama school is something that anyone who has ever experienced will certainly relate to.

The set and costume design by Sophia Clist is simple, but effective at helping to tell the story and the match re-enactments are well choreographed by Etta Murfitt and unexpectedly funny.

This is a great night’s entertainment, and you don’t need to be a football fan to enjoy and appreciate it.

Overly dramatic, hilariously funny and surprisingly moving.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

Would You Bet Against Us? is at Birmingham Rep Theatre until 4 June, with tickets available here.