Cricket rivalry scene of feuding and separation

Australian captain Greg Chappell

Get ready to be bowled over by The Underarm, a play which shows the human side of an unforgettable moment in sporting history.

It follows the story of two brothers ripped apart by the infamous underarm bowling incident which took place during a one-day international cricket match in 1981.

Transtasman rivalry came to a head when Australian captain Greg Chappell instructed bowler and younger brother Trevor to deliver his final ball along the ground, in order to prevent New Zealand from getting the six they needed to tie.

While legal at the time this deliberate action went against the grain of cricketing fair play.

The show of bad sportsmanship ignited arguments between Kiwis and Australians everywhere and for brothers Colin [Christopher Brougham] and Don [Jeremy Kewley] went so far as to tear their family apart.

A drunken fight between parents saw their Kiwi mum drag Colin off to live in Wellington, while Don stayed at home with dad in Brisbane.

The pair are reunited as adults at the Basin Reserve in Wellington where they are put on trial by the very man responsible for their separation, Greg Chappell.

"The writers have done a great job of contrasting Colin against his big bulshy Australian brother," celebrated actor and former Hawke's Bay man Brougham says.

What results is a tumultuous ride through sport, politics; the ugly side of broken families and of course Aussie/Kiwi relations.

"The whole 'incident' is a sideshow to these guys who were separated at the game, spent their childhood apart and a lot of their adult lives apart.

Directed by highly-awarded actor/director Peter Hambleton it contrasts a nation's love of cricket with the emotional debate between brothers.

"It's a really gutsy drama, the sort of writing that will have [audiences] bowled over with laughter then quite tearful the next minute."

People will be transported back to the cricket ground where they play the part of an angry crowd.

"It's beautifully written, it's a see-saw ride at times. Audience members don't need to be mild-mannered and polite, they can engage as well."

-The Underarm is on at Napier MTG Century Theatre on Friday and Saturday from 7.30pm. Tickets are $28, available through ticketek.co.nz.