Buy cheap tickets for Matilda the Musical
One Under Par

Was she or was she not fully aware of what she was doing? He certainly was, and for that reason should he have stopped before taking Birdie’s virginity?

A play that lingers in the mind and leaves ample room for speculation

There’s a suggestion that girls hovering around the age of consent were his weakness. By the end, we know that Dan’s life has moved on from those days, but between then and now there have certainly been plenty of casual encounters with girls and women of all ages. Dan was twelve years older than Birdie and certainly played the field. As a manager at the golf club he had influence and control that gave him power to which curious female staff might be attracted and either willingly or unknowingly succumb.

There is much left to speculation in One Under Par at the Bridge House Theatre, directed by Miranda Kingsley, not in terms of what took place on that fateful ninth hole, but rather in what motivated them and how they each felt about what they were doing. Dan is somewhat introverted and not the sort of guy who would talk openly about such matters. Jonny Burman plays him as a very kindly and sincere individual. There is nothing malicious or brutal or about him. On the contrary he exudes a charm that suggests anyone would be safe in his company and that he is a genuinely nice guy. His behaviour at the time seems completely normal and certainly Birdie raises no objections and outwardly has no immediate regrets. Everything on the surface appears entirely consensual and indeed she goes back for more on several occasions and talks about the sensations she experienced with relish.

Writer and performer Daisy Roe gives Birdie a very casual demeanour that is interspersed with moments of excitement and thrill on discovering what being with a man can feel like. She is similarly reserved in her later confrontation with Dan, allowing herself one outburst to release the pent up emotions of the intervening years.

After she loses her job, something in which Dan is complicit, she moves away from the claustrophobic confines of a village existence for a life in London, about which we are told very little. Then she arranges to meet Dan once more in their old local. She brings with her seven years of reflections on what took place; baggage that she has accumulated and hindsight with which she has interpreted the events and how she believes she felt at the time. She seeks closure to an event that over time has troubled her, but a huge cloud hangs over her rationale and what she is really seeking.

Events now unfold in the present. Do we accept her words and actions at face value or should we dig beneath the surface to find what is really motivating her? Has the carefree girl who sought pleasure on the green become someone overwhelmed by resentment or is she playing a far more sinister game? And what of Dan? Burman plays him as such a nice guy, would anyone want to see his life ruined, except perhaps Birdie for reasons of revenge?

The production at times is rather static and somewhat slow in moving the story forward, but it’s a play that lingers in the mind and leaves ample room for speculation about the motivations of the two characters.

Visit Show Website

Reviews by Richard Beck

The Keiller Shopping Centre, Chapel Street

Gruoch: The Lady Macbeth

★★★★
Barons Court Theatre

Horatio & Hamlet

★★★★★
Gielgud Theatre

Juno and the Paycock

★★★
Almeida Theatre

Roots

★★★★
Almeida Theatre

Look Back In Anger

★★★★
Greenwich Theatre

Jez Butterworth’s The River

★★★

Since you’re here…

… we have a small favour to ask. We don't want your money to support a hack's bar bill at Abattoir, but if you have a pound or two spare, we really encourage you to support a good cause. If this review has either helped you discover a gem or avoid a turkey, consider doing some good that will really make a difference.

You can donate to the charity of your choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, there are three charities we really like.

Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
Donate to Mama Biashara now

Theatre MAD
The Make A Difference Trust fights HIV & AIDS one stage at a time. Their UK and International grant-making strategy is based on five criteria that raise awareness, educate, and provide care and support for the most vulnerable in society. A host of fundraising events, including Bucket Collections, Late Night Cabarets, West End Eurovision, West End Bares and A West End Christmas continue to raise funds for projects both in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Donate to Theatre MAD now

Acting For Others
Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities. During the COVID-19 crisis Acting for Others have raised over £1.7m to support theatre workers affected by the pandemic.
Donate to Acting For Others now

Performances

Location

The Blurb

Birdie lost her virginity on the ninth hole of the golf course, to her boss. After seven years away from home, the village, and the golf club, she's back to confront the man that changed her life. Determined to gain the closure he never gave, Birdie comes equipped with a plan to bring him to justice whatever the cost to his new life. Unbeknownst to him, Birdie records their conversation hoping to incriminate him and provide her with the evidence she so desperately needs.
Buy cheap tickets for Book Of Mormon
Buy cheap tickets for Matilda the Musical

Most Popular See More

Buy cheap tickets for Cirque du Soleil: Corteo
Cirque du Soleil: Corteo

From £69.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for The Marriage of Figaro
The Marriage of Figaro

From £13.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Wicked
Wicked

From £31.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for TINA: The Tina Turner Musical
TINA: The Tina Turner Musical

From £13.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for The Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon

From £25.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for The Play That Goes Wrong
The Play That Goes Wrong

From £31.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Cyrano
Buy cheap tickets for The Dazzling Diamonds
Buy cheap tickets for The Cabinet Minister
Buy cheap tickets for Mozart - Her Story
Buy cheap tickets for Pretty Vacant
Buy cheap tickets for The Duchess of Malfi
Buy cheap tickets for Frankie Valli
Buy cheap tickets for How to Survive Your Mother
Buy cheap tickets for Waiting for Godot
Buy cheap tickets for Phantom of the Opera