A play telling the remarkable story of Warrington rugby league legend John Bevan is heading out on an extended tour after receiving the backing of Warrington Wolves’ owner Simon Moran.
John Bevan – Team Player: From Lions to League explores three pivotal years in the life of the Welsh rugby great – from the British Lions’ historic triumph over the All Blacks in 1971 to Bevan’s decision to switch codes and begin a new chapter playing rugby league for Warrington.
The play, written by Mari Lloyd, has already enjoyed successful performances in South Wales and at the Halliwell Jones Stadium as part of Warrington Wolves’ 150th anniversary celebrations.
Now the production is being taken to a wider audience thanks to support from Simon Moran and S.J.M. Concerts.
Moran, who has owned Warrington Wolves for many years, watched the production in Warrington and was impressed enough to help extend its tour.
“Having watched the play in Warrington, I was delighted to help get it more widely seen,” said Simon Moran.
“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.”
The outstanding Scott Gutteridge
That achievement has never been repeated.
At just 20 years of age, Bevan was part of that historic Lions squad.
Two years later, however, he made one of the biggest decisions of his sporting life, switching from rugby union to rugby league and heading north to play for Warrington.
In the 1970s, switching codes was effectively a one-way journey, with no route back into the professional game in the other code.
The production explores the triumphs, challenges and personal sacrifices surrounding those years, including Bevan’s experiences on the British Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1971 and the period which followed before he left his rugby union roots behind.
It is performed by Scott Gutteridge, directed by Julia Stubbs and produced by Still Here Productions, in association with 20 South Street and Grey Swan.
The production previously received a strong endorsement from Warrington Worldwide Editor Gary Skentelbery, who described it as: “A magnificent piece of theatre.”
The latest autumn tour includes performances at rugby league and union venues across the north and further afield.
Autumn tour dates
* Thursday, October 8, 7 pm – Birkenhead Park RFC, Pursglove Suite
* Friday, October 9, 7 pm – Wigan Warriors, Tomaco Lounge at The Brick Community Stadium
* Saturday, October 10, 7 pm – Wigan Warriors, Tomaco Lounge at The Brick Community Stadium
* Sunday, October 11, 3 pm – Birkenhead Park RFC
* Monday, October 12, 7 pm – Hull Kingston Rovers, Legends Lounge at Craven Park
* Friday, October 16, 7 pm – Leeds Rhinos, LWS Jones Room at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium
* Saturday, October 17, 7 pm – Leeds Rhinos, LWS Jones Room at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium
* Thursday, October 29, 7 pm – London Welsh RFC, Pagoda Room at Old Deer Park
Tickets are £15, with booking available through https://www.ticketsource.com/still-here-productions?
The production has a running time of approximately 95 minutes plus an interval and is suitable for adults and those aged 12+. Content information includes brief strong language and references to isolation and loneliness.
For Warrington supporters, the production offers a chance to revisit one of the most significant periods in the town’s rugby history – when one of Welsh rugby union’s biggest names crossed the divide and became part of the Warrington Wolves story.
