Mathew Horne to star in John Niven's debut play THE BATTLE
Photo credit: David Reiss
It has been announced that actor and comedian Mathew Horne (star of the beloved BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey) will play influential Britpop music executive, Andy Ross, caught in the crossfire of one of the most notorious rivalries in British music history in The Battle, a new comedy based (mostly) on real events.
Opening at Birmingham Rep on 11 February ahead of a major UK tour and a West End run, The Battle is a blistering and darkly funny exploration of fame, ego, and the cultural clashes of 1990s Britain. The Battle offers an electrifying window into a moment that defined a generation - and changed the face of British music forever.
Mathew Horne will appear as Andy Ross until 30 May 2026.
Mathew said: “This play is right in the sweet spot of my teenage cultural experience. I’m thrilled to be exploring this iconic era in music on stage with such a talented creative team involved.”
Reliving the heady summer of 1995 when heavyweights of Britpop, Blur and Oasis, went head-to-head in the greatest chart battle of all time, The Battle is the first stage play by screenwriter and Sunday Times best-selling novelist John Niven. Best known for his razor-sharp novels including Kill Your Friends and The Second Coming, John Niven brings his uncompromising voice to the stage for the first time. The Battle draws on his deep insider knowledge of the music industry, shining a satirical light on the chaos behind the cool Britannia façade. The Battle is directed by Matthew Dunster.
London, 1995. Two of the country’s biggest bands release singles on the same day, commencing the battle of Britpop. On one side, clean-cut, art-school intellectuals from the South. On the other: raw and unapologetic lads from the North. Rivalries flare, friendships fracture and at the centre of it all a mania that would define an era – were you Blur or Oasis?
From the chaos of the Brit Awards to the infamous chart war, The Battle is a wickedly funny dive into one of the greatest rivalries in rock history. Featuring legendary personalities and unforgettable clashes, it was never just about the music, but power, pride, and uncontrollable competitiveness. Expect filthy language and razor-sharp dialogue in this cut-throat new comedy that puts you right at the heart of the feuding, the fame, and the fallout. Get ready to roll with it.
The creative team also includes set and costume designer Fly Davis, lighting designer Jessica Hung Han Yun, sound designer Ian Dickinson, video designer Tal Rosner, and casting director Claire Bleasdale.
After its world premiere in Birmingham from 11 February-7 March, the tour then visits Leicester, Manchester, Bromley, Woking, Cheltenham, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Sheffield, Ipswich, London, Glasgow, York, Norwich, Nottingham, Milton Keynes Newcastle, Brighton, and Chester.