Sketty Theatre to Stage World Premiere of RESULT

Sketty Theatre presents the world première of Result, a new play that confronts the image of glamour and wealth in football and exposes the hidden existence of depression and anxiety among young players. Co-directed by brothers Toby and Alex Clarke, and inspired by the career of a Premier League sports psychologist, it will run at the Pleasance Theatre from 21 April to 17 May, with a press night on 23 April.

Ichiro is living far from home in rainy England, where the only language he understands is football. Ashley trains six days a week and his girlfriend wants him to spend Sundays with her. Titch sits alone in the changing room long after the floodlights have been switched off. Their coach thinks he knows it all. The team's psychologist knows he has a lot to learn.

Six talented young footballers face their final months in a youth training academy, all with the same question weighing on their mind - who will get a contract?

Mixing raw text, striking movement and an original score, Result is a powerful new play that explores the emotion behind every kick; a world in which dreams are built or destroyed in ninety minutes. A world in which the score means everything and failure is not an option. Where physical strength is celebrated but mental health is often ignored.

Gary Lineker on Result:
"This is a brilliant idea. It has the potential to be an important play. It could draw attention to aspects of football and mental health and masculinity that people rarely acknowledge or talk about."

96% - Percentage of scholars signed at 16 in England and Wales who won't play again from age of 18.

98% - Percentage of players signed as professionals who will not play again from the age of 21.

Figures from XPRO

Toby Clarke co-directs. He won the Peggy Ramsay Foundation 2014 award for the development of Result. He is currently Co-Director on the National Youth Theatre's Playing Up program which supports and mentors socially excluded young people. He is an Associate Artist with Only Connect, a charity working exclusively with young adults not in education or employment. For three years he worked as Head of Youth Arts at Ovalhouse. He recently led his fifth project with the Lyric Hammersmith, working with young people with a range of disabilities and emotional needs. As a writer, Toby has written and developed work for several venues including Bristol Old Vic Studio, The Arcola and Soho Theatres and last year he was shortlisted for both the Bruntwood Playwriting Award and the Samuel Beckett Award with the Barbican.

Alex Clarke co-directs. He has been acting in film and theatre for over ten years. As well as performing in all Sketty Theatre shows he has performed in a variety of theatre productions, including Deborah Warner's Julius Caesar at the Barbican Theatre and a UK tour of Bear Trap's award-winning Bound. Alex is an associate of When In... Productions, a film company which won Best Short for the 48 Hour Film Festival last year. He is also a freelance 3D Animator and 2D Illustrator and is Theatre Manager at Ovalhouse.

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