The Argus: fringe_2011_logo_red_thumbAt its popular height, British wrestling was about creating a spectacle to an audience of all ages. While Brian Mitchell and Joseph Nixon’s sweary dialogue might alienate grannies, their play captured this atmosphere, with the audience induced to chant “Easy, easy” at the drop of Big Daddy’s gold lamé top hat.

The play’s main focus was on Max Crabtree, the plain-speaking promoter who dreamed of making wrestling bigger than darts. David Mounfield played the fast-talking chancer, providing the audience’s conduit into the world of big men in leotards, as well as getting up on a chair for Haystacks.

Ross Gurney-Randall, as his brother Shirley – better known as Big Daddy – successfully recreated a hero beloved by children the world over, but who was a little like a child himself, bewildered by endless hospital visits and photo signings.

The play’s highlight was undoubtedly when the pair stripped down to their leotards for the titular 90-second battle, recreating the sweaty and hilarious sight of two very overweight men who are supposed to pin each other to the canvas.

After the applause died down, what remained was the ultimate tragedy of British wrestling’s decline, as its heroes died lonely premature deaths and the homegrown sport was gradually forgotten.