Review: HAND OF GOD at The Hope 19 – 30 July 2022

‘A vibrant play about masculinity and…football’

‘Hand of God’ is a vibrant play about masculinity and the role football plays within the community. It’s clear that a lot of effort has gone into thinking about different elements of the theatrical experience. From the programme, to the astro turf stage, to the lyrics and music - there are lots of interesting details that have clearly taken a good deal of thought. Sam Butters’ unfalteringly energy also deserves a big shoutout. It was an admirable physical achievement to simply perform in the oppressive heat of the Hope Theatre.  But these aspects don’t come together to make a harmonious whole. The play’s thematic heart is largely ignored, and buried in unnecessary exposition and extraneous detail.

‘Hand of God’ follows Kieran (Butters), who’s living in his father’s shadow and is constantly reminded of the big boots he has to fill. There is an interesting disconnect between the abusive dad he knows, and the venerated man enshrined in local sporting folklore.

This is fertile territory for a play, but the problem is that we get bogged down in 5-aside football matches that we don’t really care about and that obstruct any potential emotional weight.

The best scene, involving Kieran and his father, comes too late. Here we finally understand the richness of Kieran’s character. We get explanations and answers, but are left wanting more. And before we know it, we’re back into the football.

Now, as someone who plays football myself, I can tell you that the details of this play are frustratingly confused. There are bits that feel inauthentic, shoehorned in to be unrealistic plot points. There are references and jokes that to a football fan are unoriginal and to someone who doesn’t follow the game are baffling. This raises the question- who is this play actually for?

Aside from Kieran, there is a DJ / commentator behind him at all times. It’s a nice idea and certainly helps with the Mike Skinner-styled rapping that punctuates this performance. But as to what the gig theatre element actually adds to our overall understanding / enjoyment of the play, I’m not too sure. Arguably having “a commentator” is a lazy device lurching the story towards didactic explanation rather than organic development.

I love sport but the best theatre / novels / films about it don’t actually contain much of the playing. The emotive elements of this play are good, but sadly glossed over, and not explored in great depth or given the appropriate time they deserve.

Images: Ollie Paxton

Hand of God

The Hope Theatre 19 – 30 July 7.45pm 2022

https://www.thehopetheatre.com/productions/hand-of-god/

Presented by Tectum Theatre

Written and performed by Sam Butters

Reviewed by Danny Shaw

Danny Shaw studied English at Bristol University before completing a screenwriting MA at Leeds Beckett. He now works as a journalist and is an aspiring screenwriter / playwright.