REVIEW: Wor Bella by Ed Waugh at Bread and Roses Theatre 22 – 24 April

‘A one woman tale of football’s forgotten past’ ★★★

During World War 1, while a generation of men from all over Europe were fighting and dying in the fields of France and Belgium, the women of Britain stepped up to take on the social and economic roles that had been left behind, breaking numerous social barriers along the way. With work came money, and with money came a short window of greater freedom and autonomy.

Bella Reay (played here by Catherine Dryden) was one of these women, who embraced her newfound liberty by becoming a star footballer for her hometown Blyth Spartans Ladies team, scoring 133 goals over the course of 30 matches, competing in a women’s league organized during the war.

If you’ve never heard of her before then that’s the proof of the Football Association’s success in discouraging and even outright banning women’s football for decades shortly after Bella’s heyday. Unearthing this forgotten history is the play’s core, and Bella walks us through both her personal journey with her team as well as educating us about the larger historical context along the way.

Emphasis on ‘educating’ – often the play can feel like something of a museum piece, with strong and constant referencing of facts throughout. This was enjoyable in so far as it made the work feel informative and enlightening, but less enjoyable when it lent a sterilised air to proceedings, feeling more like a recitation of facts than a compelling narrative.

A large part of this is due to the overall lack of tension since, as Bella enthusiastically gushes to us, Blyth Spartans Ladies never lost a single game. We’re not offered any insight as to why this is or how it was achieved – they simply just won all the time. True, at times a player or two is lost to pregnancies or the inevitable social pressures of the time, but these difficulties are resolved effortlessly and often feel as if the play has shied away from going deeper into the darker sides of the period.

Bringing the period to life however is handily achieved, with the show being well-served by its lighting and video work (including a Match of The Day cameo from Alan Shearer) while the sound is exceptional, evoking the roar of artillery shells as well as crowds of cheering fans to great effect.

And that’s ultimately what makes this one woman show about football’s forgotten past work – a dedication to bringing history to life. Fingers crossed a future version can retain this magic but deliver it with a bit more excitement.

Wor Bella at The Bread & Roses Theatre 22nd - 24th April & Newcastle Theatre Royal 27th - 28th April 2024

Website: https://www.worbella.co.uk/

Written by Ed Waugh

Directed by Russell Floy

Produced by Wisecrack Productions

Reviewed by Harry Conway