Zigger Zagger
by Peter Terson

Reviewed by Donald Madgwick for The Croydon Advertiser

Playing Them Off The Park

Attending Coulsdon’s Theatre Workshop production of Peter Terson’s “Zigger Zagger” on Sunday, one might almost have been at the Holmesdale end at Selhurst Park, except that the heroes were not the Eagles but the fictitious City team.

Fictitious? Well, Terson is a Stoke writer, and the Potteries just do happen to boast a City team, so you can make what you like of that.

“Zigger Zagger” is concerned with that contemporary phenomenon, the football hooligan. He might throw a dart at a goalkeeper or a bottle at a copper, or do unmentionable things in neighbouring gardens. The point is: do we try to understand him, or merely mutter something about bringing back the lash?

Terson takes the former course, and his battle for the soul of shiftless Harry Philton is an absorbing study of modern youth.

In Terry Cockell’s lively production, the worrying thing was that Nigel Sorensen’s portrayal of Harry revealed a boy of too much sensitivity, intelligence and general attractiveness.

But that may be the whole idea. If so, it throws an interesting light on the whole hooligan question.

More in keeping with the loutish image was Chris Woolgar’s rough-hewn Zigger Zagger, leader of the cheer group, a youth whose loyalty to the team is total and uncompromising.

The chorus who “all live at the back of City End” were well-drilled, but one could have wished that they would sing some of those memorable football ditties more in tune.

Liz Sutton gave a sterling performance as Harry’s girl Sandra, who falls in love with City’s star striker. “I’ll show you the world, Sandra,” says Harry, meaning Old Trafford, White Hart Lane and the Kop. Such are the horizons of the modern explorer.

Nice work, too, from Lesley and Chris Argles as Harry’s sister Edna and her decent plodding husband, reared on “Reader’s Digest” and the “1812” Overture.

Tim Young played a variety of roles, including the Club Chairman – and it was surely a mistake to include him also in the chorus of fans.

By the way, the modernising of the text was somewhat inconsistent, using old-fashioned terms like inside left and setting top transfer fees of around

Cast Details:

Zigger Zagger; Football Crowd; Supporters ect

Chris Woolgar

Harry Philton

Nigel Sorensen

First Policeman

John Sutton

School Dentist; Second Student; Second Letter Reader; Glenice; Football Crowd; Supporters ect

Chrissie Cooper

Headmaster; Chairman of Football Club; Recruiting Sergeant; Football Crowd; Supporters ect

Tim Young

Caretaker; First Student; Old Soldier; Vincent; First Apprentice

Marc Weston

Teacher; Magistrate; Football Crowd; Supporters ect

Marina Foxlee

Newsagent; Youth Club Leader; Football Crowd; Supporters ect

Tim Warner

Mrs Philton

Jane Walton

Uncle Albert

Martin Cole

Uncle Albert; Uncle Brian; Third Letter Reader; Vicar

Keith Walton

Edna

Lesley Argles

Les

Chris Argles

Youth Careers Officer; Forth Student; Sandra; Football Crowd; Supporters ect

Liz Sutton

Uncle Brian; Third Letter Reader; Vicar; Football Crowd; Supporters ect

Steve Rogers

Third Student; Medical Officer; Forth Letter Reader

Maureen Hoy

First Letter Reader; Football Crowd; Supporters ect

Nelia Emmerton

Stanley

Robin Hunt

Second Policeman; Second Apprentice

Cliff Palmer

Third Apprentice; Football Crowd; Supporters ect

John Sutton