If you are a hardened Rugby Union fan and/or Welsh it is almost a certainty you have heard of Raymond William Robert Gravell, most commonly known to his teammates, friends, family and fans as ‘Grav’. As a centre he earned 23 caps for Wales and was selected to play in the 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa.  In 1972 he was a member of the team that beat the mighty New Zealand All Blacks 9-3. In later life, he was also a broadcaster and actor – most notably opposite Peter O’Toole in the 1992 film Rebecca’s Daughter.

This reviewer has a confession to make: I know absolutely nothing about Rugby and am not a huge fan of any sport. However, after seeing this uplifting, humorous, poignant play I wanted to rush out and learn to play Rugby and apply for Welsh citizenship. What a production!! I cannot speak too highly of it.

Set in a quintessential locker room, Owen Thomas’ script is beautifully lyrical whilst still anchored in natural day to day language and cleverly segues into juxta positional scenes that blend so well. To explain more would ruin the overall storytelling effect.

Director Peter Doran moves his actor, Gareth J Bale around the small semi-circular space wisely and adroitly, making sure that every individual feels part of the narrative without being intrusive to the story. This reviewer seemed to share the space with Grav’s mother.

As Grav, Bale is magnificent! He scores goals all over the place with his so real portrayal. From the moment he walks into the space, one sees and hears Ray Gravell -the ‘actor’ does not exist. Bale delivers not only the lines, humour and emotion required but also every pause, nuance and inflection to pitch perfection. Drama students need to see this man in action.

If this is not one of the BIG hits of this year’s Fringe, I’ll eat a Rugby ball. (Please make sure I don’t have to do that!)