“His name is Jimmy Hall. He plays with odd shaped balls. So put your bums against the wall, here comes Jimmy Hall…”
Rugby player, James Hall, has the world at his feet. Yet despite having a steady girlfriend and a promising career, his life is about to be turned upside down.
This funny and poignant one-man show tackles issues of homophobia and sexuality in sport and the pressures of intrusive media attention.
With his life crumbling around him, does James have the courage not only to be true to himself, but also to be a role model for others?
Odd Shaped Balls is supported by Northern Pride, Pride Sports and Newcastle University Alumni Association. All profits will be given to International Gay Rugby, a charity which eliminates discrimination on the grounds of sexuality and promotes good health through the playing of rugby.
Plane Paper Theatre returns Odd Shaped Balls to Edinburgh Fringe after working closely with writer Richard Sheridan to re-devise and refine this critically acclaimed script.
Director, Andrew Twyman, said: “With the Rugby World Cup this year and the Scottish LGBT Sports Charter being released in May, now couldn’t be a better time for Odd Shaped Balls to grace the stage. We are excited to bring this innovative piece of work to Fringe and to promote such a relevant issue with it.”
Writer Richard Sheridan explains his inspiration for the piece: “Odd Shaped Balls began for me when an openly gay fresher from my rugby team was cornered by his captain on a night out, and told not to bother returning. It wasn’t until later I learnt how much he was affected. He felt unwelcome, not just by the team, but by the sport and culture. A sport and culture, which I loved because of how accepted it made me feel. After some research in to the likes of Welsh rugby hero of Union and League, Gareth Thomas, a stage play titled Odd Shaped Balls was penned”
Produced by: Ellie Claughton
Directed by: Andy Twyman
Starring: Matthew Marrs
Shortlisted for: Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award
Event: Odd Shaped Balls – Tackling Homophobia In Sport
Where: Space Triplex (Studio), the Space UK: The Prince Phillip Building, 19 Hill Place, Edinburgh EH8 9DP
When: Monday, August 17, 2015 – Saturday, August 29, 2015
Time: 7.30pm
Tickets: £9.00 / £7.00
To purchase tickets online, click here:
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