John Bevan: Team Player – from Lions to League will be performed for one night in the Legends Lounge at Sewell Group Craven Park 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 the1971 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. Clive Sullivan was one such player, finding increased opportunity and success at both Hull FC and Hull KR.
But the risks were great. ‘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 says: “I’m fascinated by sport and how that relates 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.
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.
Simon Moran said: “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.”
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 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.
Show details
12th October at 7pm
Legends Lounge at Sewell Group Craven Park, Hull Kingston Rovers RLFC, Preston Road, Hull, HU9 5HE
Tickets: www.ticketsource.com/still-here-productions
RUNNING TIME: 95 minutes plus interval
POST-SHOW Q&A with team
CONTENT INFORMATION: Brief strong language, references to isolation and loneliness – Suitable for 12+