Still Here Productions use oral history to give unique insight into one of the most successful and exciting periods in British rugby history and what was a golden time for Warrington Wolves.
JOHN BEVAN: TEAM PLAYER - FROM LIONS TO LEAGUE a new play by Mari Lloyd covering three years in the life of Warrington Wire legend John Bevan will be performed at the Halliwell Jones Stadium this summer.
Coinciding with the Warrington Wolves 150th anniversary celebrations, this new solo play will have performances in The Platinum Lounge on 8th and 9th July.
The play follows John Bevan through the triumphant New Zealand rugby union tour of 1971 and ends with his first season at Warrington and the 1974 Challenge Cup game at Wembley.
Writer Mari Lloyd said, I’m fascinated by sport and how that links to history, heritage and regional identity. I also wanted to look at success and how we define that.
‘To us, it’s not just a game. It’s who we are’.
The success of the British Lions 55 years ago has never been repeated. 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:
- As a rugby player is success the number of tries you score for your country?
- An invite for cocktails at 10 Downing St? Maybe an award on television?
- Or is it the self-respect of earning a living and playing for a community?
Even if you get your ribs broken in your first game.
‘Welcome to Warrington’ ‘Welcome to Rugby League’
As part of the play’s development, a reading has been performed at the Halliwell Jones Hall of Fame with support from Warrington Wolves Foundation.
CEO of the Warrington Wolves Foundation, Neil Kelly says, As Warrington Wolves celebrates its historic 150th anniversary, the club continues to honour the people, stories and spirit that have shaped generations of rugby league history. Through its heritage programme, the Warrington Wolves Community Foundation are working to preserve and share the town’s sporting and cultural identity - connecting past and present through projects including the Wire2Wolves Heritage Trail, Wire2Wolves archive, reminiscence programmes and community storytelling. John Bevan: Team Player – from Lions to League perfectly reflects the commitment, celebrating the lives, sacrifices and legacy of a rugby legend whose story deserves to be remembered and shared with future generations.
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. Its acclaimed 2025 revival toured South Wales and was named one of The Edit’s 'Top 20 Shows We Saw Across Wales'.
John Bevan: Team Player – from Lions to League is performed as a monologue by Welsh actor Scott Gutteridgemost recently seen in Theatr Cymru’s production of Romeo a Juliet.
Lighting by Jonathan Samuels, Sound design by Jamie Lu.
Produced by Still Here Productions in association with 20 South Street and Grey Swan.
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.
Previous acclaim for Still Here Productions’ debut production Still Here
★★★★ “Set in a boxing ring, this powerful two-hander follows Welsh teens as they navigate identity, family, and growing up, creating a vivid, emotional world that’s both intimate and deeply affecting... Excellent” Everything Theatre
“Still Here is not just a play – it’s an experience that lingers in the heart long after you leave the theatre. Mari Lloyd’s work stands as a testament to the enduring power of Welsh storytelling… The direction by Julia Stubbs deserves particular praise for its ability to balance the play’s moments of levity with its heavier emotional beats.” The Edit
★★★★ “a brilliant cast… English-speaking Welsh theatre has been scared of showcasing Welsh people for a long time; it’s exciting to see a company not only doing it but doing it well.” Buzz Magazine
★★★★ “Mari Lloyd’s poignantly funny play about two teenagers trying to find their way in an unforgiving and uncertain world is a real treat… Director Julia Stubbs skilfully takes Lloyd’s smart script and interweaves the stories of the two damaged teenagers seamlessly… Warm and funny, with two excellent performances, Still Here is hugely enjoyable.” Fairy Powered Productions
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.
LISTING INFORMATION
Still Here Productions 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.
8th and 9th July at 7.00pm - The Platinum Lounge, Halliwell Jones Stadium, Mike Gregory Way, Warrington, WA2 7NE
Tickets: https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/JohnBevanTeamPlayer
RUNNING TIME: 95 minutes plus interval | POST-SHOW Q&A with the creative team and special guest John Bevan | 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