I left my heart in Roker Park

Posted: 22 Sep 2014

I left my heart at Roker Park…and extra time at the Stadium of Light

By Tom Kelly

Customs House, South Shields

19 September 2014

This one-man show is a tour de force. Written by Jarrow-born Tom Kelly in 1997, and first performed in 1997 as Sunderland AFC’s home of 99 years was demolished, this play has now been updated and revived for the first time since 2004.

Paul Dunn plays Kevin Halliday whose life – with its ups and downs of marriage, fatherhood and divorce – revolves around his love and passion for the other love of his life: Sunderland AFC.

Regardless of the colour of the stripes on your replica shirt, this is a play that amply illustrates how deeply ingrained a sense of identity is intertwined with football in the psyche of so many people in the North East.

Kelly’s script skilfully balances pathos with humour while Dunn more than does the two-hour show justice. Never does he let the pace slacken – and whether you are a football fan or not you’ll enjoy this. If football is in your blood you’ll love it and if that blood runs red and white you’ll be likely to shed tears of pride as well as joy.

This short run includes performances at Washington Arts Centre and The Gala Theatre in Durham as well as The Customs House. Catch it if you can.

Rob Mason