World Cup '66 Minute by Minute Tickets

The 1966 FIFA World Cup Final is considered one of the greatest moments in English football history. It was held at Wembley Stadium on July 30, 1966 and saw England beat West Germany 4-2 in extra-time. While the match itself was a thrilling display of football, the events around it have become the subject of countless books, documentaries and even a play.

The most notable of these adaptations is World Cup '66 Minute by Minute – a play written by actor and playwright Michael Williams that chronicles the final hour of the World Cup final through the lens of two couples who are watching the broadcast at home. The play premiered at Bristol Old Vic in the summer of 2016, marking the 50th anniversary of England's historic win.

What makes World Cup '66 Minute by Minute so unique is its combination of live theatre and real-life sports commentary. The play begins with the four characters – Tom and his wife Julie, and Dave and his girlfriend Lynn – settling down to watch the game at their respective homes. Throughout the first half, they provide their own running commentary of the match, alongside real-life commentators Kenneth Wolstenholme and David Coleman.

As the game progresses into the second half, tensions rise both on and off the pitch. Tom and Julie begin to argue about their relationship, while Dave and Lynn struggle to hide their own issues. At the same time, the game itself becomes increasingly dramatic, with goals from Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters putting England ahead, only for Germany to equalize in the dying minutes.

The play then takes a surprising turn, as the characters find themselves transported back in time to the Wembley Stadium of 1966. They witness the infamous “Wolstenholme moment” – where commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme famously declares “some people are on the pitch...they think it's all over...it is now!” as Hurst scores his hat-trick goal in extra-time.

As the play ends, the characters return to the present day, changed by their experience and with a newfound appreciation for both football and life. World Cup '66 Minute by Minute is a poignant exploration of the human condition, set against the backdrop of one of the most iconic moments in English sport.

Theatre has always been a powerful medium for storytelling, but World Cup '66 Minute by Minute takes this to a new level by melding it with the excitement and drama of live sports commentary. By focusing on the personal relationships between the characters, the play also adds an emotional depth to the story that goes beyond the events on the pitch.

In conclusion, World Cup '66 Minute by Minute is a theatrical triumph that captures the spirit of one of England's greatest sporting moments. Its combination of live theatre and real-life sports commentary creates a unique and memorable experience that will stay with audiences long after the final whistle has blown.