On Our Way to Lisbon (or The Italian Job) tells the story of how, in 1967, Glasgow Celtic became the first British team to win the European Cup with victory over the mighty Inter Milan. Two fans look back and fondly recreate how the Bhoys in Green and White beat the hardest team in the world and draped Europe in the green, white and gold.

The whole mad and magnificent campaign comes to life as the two supporters become everything from a vicious Swiss football team to the entire population of Lisbon.

Put on those scarves, dust off your passport and come with us once again as Celtic steam-roll over the best teams in Europe to become the immortal Lisbon Lions.

Reviews

'On Our Way To Lisbon' is a two man play with a cast of thousands...physical theatre at it's best. Hilarious slow motion scenes served as match highlights, bringing tears from an audience who were clearly as much engaged in the football as the drama.It was high octane stuff and marvellously executed...I felt the entirely enthusiastic audience could happily have stayed for more.

THE MAIL ON SUNDAY

On Our Way to Lisbon is a superbly written and impeccebly performed work. Abernethy and Marsden are individually brilliant and work seamlessly together....Even those with little or no interest in the subject matter will find it hard not to be caught up in the tide of excitement.

****THE SUNDAY BUSINESS POST, DUBLIN

The dialogue, at times, is hysterical and the slow-motion match highlights prove particularly effective. As the 1967 tournament progresses from the first round to the final, Denny and Tony have the audience engrossed...As an interpretation of football events On Our Way to Lisbon makes potent drama out of past glories, which is enough to recommend it.

EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS 2004

.... a sublime mix of physical theatre, conversational dialogue and hilarious impersonation - the two actors never let up the pace until the euphoria of that final whistle... well scripted and expertly performed by the two actors.

THE STAGE

Two fans look back fondly on how Glasgow Celtic became the first British team to win the European Cup. If you loved 'Stones In His Pockets' you'll love this show too.

THE IRISH POST

Actors Pat Abernethy and Dave Marsden take us through each leg of the competition, home and away, with energy, humour and bonhomie. Moments such as Denny's use of Tony's head as a radio, as he desparately tries to get a decent reception of the commentary of an away match, are theatrically inventive... Enjoy the memories!

THE SCOTSMAN

A physical two-hander... the strong point is the spirited performances... All credit to Abernethy and Marsden.

THE IRISH TIMES

The amzing thing about the play is that is succeeds without being needlessly over-triumphalist...The story of each match is told using a finely judged balance of commentary, reaction of the coaches, slowmotion replays and crucially, the reactions of the fans themselves...

****ENINBURGH EVENING NEWS 2007

The slow motion replays are particularly hilarious. As one of the hard men from Vojvodina, picks on a poor, innocent Celtic player, for example, the slow motion effect allows the two to show all sorts of ironic facial expressions of the players. While waiting for the funeral of a friend who has just died of cancer, this allows Abernethy and Marsden the chance to provide some gravitas to the piece. And it helps to give the feeling that they were actually there, that these are real people.

Far from being a game of two halves, this is a fascinating piece of social commentary.

****EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS 2003

The two performers do a remarkable job of ringing the changes as they take us through each game...Everything is done with such infectious good humour that it never flags...There's particular charm in seeing two soberly suited middle-agers jumping to head a winner or doing a spectacular slow motion dive.

IRISH MAIL ON SUNDAY

Your emotions will be drained from the incredible journey that Tony and Denny take you on from the very start...The hairs on your neck stand to attention and do not fall untill the final curtain. In between they dance with laughter at the humorous parts of the play. The balance of the two characters makes this possible as they seem the perfect complement to each other...As the play draws to a close our two characters are standing singing the song that all Celtic supporters would proudly have sung 40 years ago, "We Shall Not Be Moved". At this point you can't help but want to join in...The play makes you feel as if you were there and so the urge to sing along is testimony to the magical spell that is cast upon you for its duration...This is a must see performance.

JAKE THE RAKE

Theatregoers are greeted by two solitary chairs, subdued and bathed in an angelic green hue. With this minimalistic use of props and no set, Abernethy and Marsden do a marvellous job illustrating not only the way in which Celtic fought their way to the final of one of football's greatest competitions, but also elegantly portray the hysteria and reverence which still greets this achievement even today. The loving and detailed way in which the journey is presented ensures that there is something for even the neutral...

WHAT'S ON STAGE 2009