Liverpool Arts: Man in black comedy returns to The Unity

FOR many fans, and in the words of Bill Shankly, “some people believe football is a matter of life and death... I can assure you it’s much, much more important than that.”

But there’s a limit to even the most intense, heightened passions – apart from the characters which populate Robert Farquhar’s God’s Official, his black comedy about two footie fans – Degsy and Cliff – who decide to kidnap the ref they blame for their team’s relegation.

The drama was premiered at the Unity in 2000, and has been performed all over the city including the Everyman – as well as further afield including Ireland, Malta, and more recently in Montenegro.

Now it’s on its way back to Hope Place courtesy of new company Odds On Theatre.

The story could also be heading for the big screen, with the playwright being asked to pen a film version.

God’s Official is at the Unity from tonight until June 30.