A PLAY ABOUT WELSH RUGBY PLAYER JOHN BEVAN TOUCHES DOWN IN LEEDS.

John Bevan: Team Player - from Lions to League will be performed for two nights in the Lewis Jones Room at the AMT Headingley Stadium this October.

The play covers three pivotal years in the life of Welsh rugby legend John Bevan. Starting with the British Lions triumph over the All Blacks in the 1971 test series, it continues with the success of the Barbarians in 1973 and ends with Bevan’s first season playing rugby league for Warrington having switched codes. And in the 1970s that meant that there was no way back. 

It’s worth reflecting on the jeopardy a union player put his career in by switching to League in the past. And it’s fitting that the play is in the Lewis Jones room; another Welsh codebreaker who did just that. ‘Going North’ could lead to opportunity and glory, or an end to a life in rugby. Even your country of birth could ostracise you.

Writer Mari Lloyd said, “I’m fascinated by sport and how that links to history, heritage, national and regional identity.”

‘To us, it’s not just a game. It’s who we are’

The play asks questions about the outer trappings of success and looks at the more important inner feelings of self-worth and connection to a team, a place and a community. Personal success requires determination, but it takes a team to truly win. 

Leeds, rugby and drama have a rich history. Red Ladder theatre company previously toured to rugby grounds with The Joker a play that looked at a fan’s complex relationship to the famous rugby commentator Eddie Waring. Jamie Jones Buchanan, now CEO of Leeds Rhinos was one of the cast, later becoming a trustee of Red Ladder.

“Life is a narrative, and human beings are the only beings on the planet that tell each other stories - whether through theatre, sport or the communities we create. Those stories should inspire, educate and entertain, while bringing people together and reminding us of who we are and what we represent” Jamie Jones Buchanan MBE

The new play has toured this summer in South Wales and at the Halliwell Jones Stadium as part of Warrington Wolves 150th anniversary celebrations. A further extension of the tour has been made possible by the support of Simon Moran of S.J.M. Concerts, and owner of Warrington Wolves.

“Having watched the play in Warrington, I was delighted to help get it more widely seen. The story of John is told brilliantly; I’ve been a fan of John since the first game I watched Warrington at Wembley in 1975“ said Simon Moran

“This is a magnificent piece of theatre… Actor Scott Gutteridge delivers an absolutely stellar, powerhouse performance… Directed seamlessly by Julia Stubbs, the production balances raw athletic intensity with deeply personal, vulnerable reflections.” Review by Warrington Worldwide

John Bevan: Team Player – from Lions to League is performed as a monologue by Welsh actor Scott Gutteridge most recently seen in Theatr Cymru’s production of Romeo a Juliet. 

This new production builds on the successful first collaboration of playwright Mari Lloyd and director/producer Julia Stubbs on Mari’s debut play, Still Here.

Produced by Still Here Productions supported by S.J.M. Concerts and in association with 20 South Street and Grey Swan. Lighting by Jonathan Samuels, Sound by Jamie Lu.

Still Here Productions is an independent theatre producing company, focusing on new writing and is committed to delivering socially relevant theatre that engages diverse audiences in both theatre and non-theatre settings.

Scott Gutteridge

Scott is a Welsh actor who trained with the National Youth Theatre followed by RADA, graduating in 2020. He is based in London. 

Most recently, Scott could be seen as 'Tybalt' in Theatr Cymru's production of Romeo a Juliet which was directed by Steffan Donnelly and finished a tour with a run at the Sam Wanamaker Theatre. Scott’s further professional theatre credits include ‘Guiderius’ in Gregory Doran’s Cymbeline at the RSC, ‘Edward’ in Samantha O’Rourke’s play Sleeping Beauty directed by Ameera Conrad, Tamara Harvey’s Curtain Up at Theatre Clwyd. Homer’s Iliad(National Theatre of Wales); A Clockwork Orange (Llanelli Youth Theatre - LYT); THE CRUCIBLE (LYT) and The Edelweiss Pirates by Ayub Khan Din (National Theatre Connections).

His film credits include the role of ‘Fancy Clanton’ in Kenneth Branagh’s award-winning autobiographical feature Belfast. Scott's television credits include a guest role in Doctors for the BBC. Short film credits include a lead role in John Parr’s A Pack of Five as well as Samantha O'Rourke’s BFI short The Girl with the Haunted Vagina.

Previous acclaim for our debut production Still Here by Mari Lloyd

“This Welsh indie production captured real Welsh life with authenticity and care. It never felt condescending or forced - just honest, local and deeply researched. Its universal acclaim is well deserved. The Edit ‘The Top 20 Shows We Saw Across Wales’ in 2025

???? “Excellent” Everything Theatre ???? “a brilliant cast” Buzz Magazine ???? “hugely enjoyable” Fairy Powered Productions

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Still Here Productions supported by S.J.M. Concerts and in association with 20 South Street and Grey Swan presents JOHN BEVAN: TEAM PLAYER – FROM LIONS TO LEAGUE by Mari Lloyd. Directed by JULIA STUBBS. With SCOTT GUTTERIDGE as John Bevan.

16th and 17th October at 7:00pm

Lewis Jones Room at the AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium, St Michael's Lane, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 3BR 

Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.com/still-here-productions

RUNNING TIME: 95 minutes plus interval | POST-SHOW Q&A | CONTENT INFORMATION: Brief strong language, references to isolation and loneliness - Suitable for 12+

COMPANY WEBSITE: www.stillhereproductions.co.uk

For more info, please contact: Grey Swan PR, 07931 791807 pr@greyswan.co.uk | www.greyswan.co.uk