Dawn and Dotti have been in competition with each other for their entire lives. Now both are married and mothers to only daughters both named Karen, their rivalry is confined to the FOOTBALL pitch (only Americans and public schoolboys use the s-word) where their offspring play for the local team and the mothers contribute by cheering from the sidelines and fundraising. Neither can gain an advantage, however as the girls are equally bad at the game. Enter Lucky, short for Lucifer, to offer them deals to see their dreams come true. Who will be Faust past the post?
Neither, of course. Have these women no familiarity with the literature? Well, I suppose they are American, so no. Have they never seen the movies then? Whatever, they end up, inevitably, as dupes of the Prince of Lies.
This short sprightly piece (which actually runs nearer to one hour than its listed time) is played in a tiny awkward space but neatly handled by director Glory Sims Bowen and her cast. The few extraneous characters are doubled, with the aid of pre-recorded voice-overs, by Michael Whitney who also plays Lucky, whose sly grin, while transparent to the audience, gives no clues to the ambition-blinded Dawn (Yvonne Roen) and Dotti (Uma Incrocci). Their impotence against his machinations is highlighted, ironically, in a night-time scene lit only by hand held torches, which is also the funniest point of the play.
This is not really a satire or thriller. There is no serious message, except perhaps to read the small print. As an amiable romp, sparkily played by an attractive cast, it is an inoffensive way to pass the early afternoon. But remember: football, football, football.
[Luke Sharp]
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