A new play about former Wales Rugby League captain John Bevan, will be performed at four venues in South Wales from 1st-4th July.
A dual-code international for both Wales and Great Britain, Bevan was our 31st captain, leading us in his final four of his 17 caps.
The play follows Bevan through his British Lions rugby union tour of New Zealand in 1971 and ends with his first season at Warrington rugby league club and the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley.
Writer Mari Lloyd said: I’m fascinated by sport and how that links to history, heritage and regional identity. Success requires a pursuit of excellence that needs the power of teamwork. How would a young player navigate that when thrown onto the world stage?”
Fifty-five years ago, the British and Irish Lions did something that had never been done before, and has never been done since. They defeated the mighty All Blacks on their own turf in New Zealand; at only 20 years of age, John Bevan was part of that. Within two years, he had left rugby union and headed North to play league, not knowing if this would be a success or an end to his dream of a life in rugby.
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.
As part of the play’s development, rehearsed readings have been performed at the Welfare Hall in Tylorstown and at the Warrington Wolves Foundation.
John Bevan: Team Player – from Lions to League is performed as a monologue by Welsh actor Scott Gutteridge, most recently seen as Tybalt in Theatr Cymru’s production of Romeo A Juliet.
Dates and ticket information…
1st July at 7.30pm – The Blake Theatre, Almshouse Street, Monmouth, NP25 3XP
Tickets: www.theblaketheatre.org/wed-1-jul-2026-john-bevan-team-player
2nd July at 7.00pm – Cwmavon Village Hall, Cwmavon Road, Pontypool, NP4 8XH
Tickets: www.cwmavonvillagehall.weebly.com/whats-on
3rd July at 6.00pm – Welfare Hall, East Road, Tylorstown, CF43 3DA
Tickets: www.tylorstownwelfarehall.co.uk/our-events/bookable-events
4th July at 7.00pm – Melville Centre for the Arts, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, NP7 5UD
Tickets: www.melvillecentre.org.uk/event/john-bevan-team-player-from-lions-to-league
RUNNING TIME: 95 minutes plus interval
POST-SHOW Q&A with the creative team and special guest John Bevan.
CONTENT INFORMATION: Suitable for 12+ | Brief strong language, references to isolation and loneliness.
COMPANY WEBSITE: www.stillhereproductions.co.uk
