The
basic theme of David Edgar’s hilarious but
thought-provoking play, Ball Boys, is
revolution. Much of what it says has been said before so
often that for many it has lost its intended impact, but
this play rekindles one’s interest by the very
originality of its context and target. It
takes place in the ball-boys’ locker room at Wimbledon
where its two occupants, Rupert and One-Eye, angrily
discuss their outrageous treatment on court at the hands
of the temperamental so-called superstars, a ruthless
breed whose dominance of the public through the media
they see as a greater menace than class. They plan and
eventually execute a horrible revenge against one of
their tormentors, Sven, an arrogant and self-opinionated
Scandinavian tennis-star. David Edgar’s dialogue
bristles with broad humour and savagery.