ED2011 3/5 Reviews ED2011 Theatre Reviews

Phys Ed (Nicholas Osmond)

By | Published on Sunday 14 August 2011

This one-man show, featuring Nicholas Osmond as a PE teacher intent on winning the schools’ rugby cup, seems at the outset to be playing for laughs. Unfortunately, it isn’t very successful; the gags fall flat and the satire isn’t powerful enough to convince. However, as ‘Phys Ed’ progresses it offers something more subtle and more interesting than that which its opening promises. The monologue is well-crafted, compelling and magnificently delivered; Osmond’s performance grabs the audience’s attention and holds onto it. His tale of filial-rivalry, bed-wetting and his students’ journey to Twickenham manages to be gently humorous, dramatic, sad and touching. A victorious ending, but it concedes too many points at the beginning to be an absolute winner.

Assembly Hall, 4 – 29 Aug (not 15), 4.15pm (5.15pm), £9.00 – £10.00, fpp288.
tw rating 3/5
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