‘Miracle of Istanbul’ drama’s action makes up for words

Theatre: One Night in Istanbul. By Nicky Allt. Gaiety Theatre. Run concluded. Rating ***. Reviewed by Andrew Lynch.

Danny O’Brien, Michael Fletcher, Mark Moraghan and John Evans in bawdy football play One Night in Istanbul
Danny O’Brien, Michael Fletcher, Mark Moraghan and John Evans in bawdy football play One Night in Istanbul

The 2005 Champions League final was the sort of epic drama that most playwrights would struggle to invent. An unfancied Liverpool team found themselves 3-0 down to AC Milan at half-time, equalised in the space of six heady minutes and ended up winning on penalties. Since then the ‘Miracle of Istanbul’ has become a hook for Nicky Allt’s ...