The action takes place against the backdrop of the 1990 Football World Cup semi-final, between England and West Germany, which is taking place in Italy while Monica and Bill are on holiday in Ibiza. Bill desperately wants to watch the match; Monica wants to talk about their relationship.
Arthur Smith and Chris England acclaimed stage play An Evening with Gary Lineker comes to Chalfont St Peter for a compelling and darkly humorous theatrical experience. Set during the 1990 World Cup, the play unfolds over one unforgettable evening, exploring football, family, friendship, and the social tensions of the time.
Witty, fast-paced, and deeply human, this powerful drama uses the backdrop of England’s World Cup campaign to reflect on masculinity, relationships, and working-class life in modern Britain.
Performances take place at the Community Centre, Gravel Hill, Chalfont St Peter, SL9 9QX, from 28th – 30th May.
A thought-provoking and entertaining night of theatre — whether you’re a football fan or not.
The play was nominated for an Olivier Award.
NEWS FLASH
Laughter filled the hall throughout Chalfont St Peter, and both the cast and audience were treated to a wonderful surprise. The legendary comedian, playwright, and author of An Evening with Gary Lineker, Arthur Smith, came along to watch the performance.
Needless to say, everyone was delighted to welcome him. After the show, Arthur shared his thoughts, saying:
“Aw Lizzie, what a fabulous night. We were bowled over by how brilliant it was. Funny, moving and brilliantly acted and directed. An honour to be there. Hope tonight and tomorrow go well (and your knee). We’ll catch up again soon xx PS we’re still on the tube home”
Society: St Peter Players
Production: An Evening with Gary Linekar
Date: 29 May 2026
Report By: Judith Watsham
Thank you for your inviting me to your spring show, for the warm welcome and hospitality on a hot night. I have seen many of your productions at this time of year and so often they are in the middle of a heat wave! Thank goodness for your doors which encourage ventilation and a welcome break from the heat during the interval.
Your front of house team welcomed the audience with smiles too. I have said it before, I think, but a happy cheerful face on entering the hall always puts the audience in a good and receptive mood! Your hall décor was, as always, very good. The plastic St George flag tablecloths were a nice touch! Incidentally, I loved the professional type boards regarding cameras and mobile phones; using these instead of announcements worked well.
I must start by confessing that this play is not one of my favourites – it reminds me too much of certain members of my family who were football mad and reacted badly when their teams lost! However, having said that, this was a really excellent production and, although football mania appeared from time to time, the cast accentuated the fact that this was more about relationships than sport! Directed by Lizzie Glover with a sure touch, the story just flowed.
Costumes by Ruth Corner added so much to our understanding of the characters – I will add my sartorial notes as I work through the cast! Suffice it to say that they were all just right for each one of you and I am certain were chosen very carefully to reflect your personalities.
The set worked very well. Mainly set in a Majorcan holiday apartment complete with a balcony and a few stairs centre back, obviously leading to an unseen bathroom and front door. This main set was augmented by a separate small outdoor bar on a lower level. Designed by Lizzie and Tina Barclay and built by Tina, Peter Heaps, Jason Congerton, Liz Peskin, Ruth Corner and Sali Belsham, it all worked very well in creating the right atmosphere.
Les Brewer’s lighting successfully focussed on the different areas and I noticed that while the lighting was focussed on the balcony or the bar those indoors, whether just sitting and ‘chatting’ or watching the football match, could still be seen – silently and unobtrusively reacting to the televised match and maintaining their characters well.
Peter Heaps gave us very muted sound from the TV which worked well and added to the illusion that there really was a television set just out of our sight.
Lizzie Glover, Ruth Corner and Liz Peskin were primarily responsible for the props – most of which worked well but I was uncertain about the modern design of the beer bottles and cartons, isn’t San Miguel usually brown glass not clear? However, I do appreciate that it is impossible to get 1990 vintage versions of these so I am nit picking! (Well, I had to find something wrong).
A nice little programme from Jason – do enter it for the 2027 Awards – Paul Holgate is accepting entries now and the details are, as usual, on the NODA London website.
With just five in the cast (apart from a completely OTT appearance at the end of the play when Steve Cubbage – in football kit and a wig – erupted through the audience and on to the stage as Gary Linekar himself) this is a very wordy play with a lot of lengthy dialogue. Everyone was totally word perfect and in character throughout too. All of you developed believable characters and put over your emotions, moods and attitudes towards each other well, especially during the very funny, frequently a tad surreal, moments.
Nicholas Lansdowne took on the role of the football obsessed Bill – costume just right, England football shirt, trousers, trainers and socks. The smarter Englishman abroad to a T! Obsessively fussing over whether there was enough beer or whether his chair was at the right angle to catch all the action on the TV. Good reactions to the game he was watching. His ultra neat and tidy appearance was just right for this character and his frequently expressed fury at the unfolding and unseen game.
Lucy Shirley took on the role of his wife, the unfaithful, fantasising Monica. She daydreamed her way through her imagined affair with Gary Linekar whilst really in the throes of a real-life romance with Dan. Her outfit was well chosen as it told the audience that, as far as she was concerned, she was on holiday, trying to sort out her marital problems, and was not there to suffer hours shut indoors watching football.
Jason Congerton just was the extremely boring and uncouth Northerner Ian – again his costume told the audience a lot about him – baggy shorts and socks and sandals said it all really. The geeky centre parting just added to his appearance! An awkward individual, tedious in the extreme, especially when his half-hearted attempts at blackmailing Monica failed, and more obsessed with his desire for Birgitta – the German holiday rep – than for the football. Well-developed mannerisms, such as his stupid giggle, plus his frequently scowling face, added to his persona.
Birgitta was played by Marika Manzanero, well dressed in her holiday rep’s outfit, flirting with the men, obviously supporting Germany yet wary of upsetting Bill, she really got into her character’s skin. It would appear from the programme notes that you, unlike the rest of the cast, are a newcomer to the stage but I am sure that this is not the last time we will see you tread the boards, you have a real flair for acting.
Successful author Dan – sloppily dressed in an ill-fitting pair of trousers, loose shirt and flip flops, more intent on seducing Birgitta whilst maintaining his affair with Monika, than in watching the televised match too. This character, as portrayed by Nic Barton, was fully aware of his value to the careers of his publishers in the form of Bill and Ian. In his eyes he is important to the rest of the protagonists and happy to ride roughshod over them all. I think that we, in the audience, fully understood that this was a character who didn’t really give a damn for anyone but himself!
I really enjoyed your production and look forward, firstly to seeing some of you at our June Celebration Day and secondly to your late summer production of ‘Allo ‘Allo.
Judith
Judith Watsham
Regional Rep NODA London District 11 and 11A
Posted On: 16 December 2025