No longer booking
  • Running time Approx. 2 hours (including interval)
  • Age guidelines 15+

The Battle - Tour Dates

Performance information is for guidance only. Check booking calendar for details.

Book The Battle tickets – A new comedy charting one of the most iconic rivalries in music history: Oasis vs. Blur.

It’s the summer of 1995 and things are about to get hot in the British music scene.

The Battle is a wickedly funny exploration of the cultural and musical showdown that erupted when Blur’s Damon Albarn strategically moved the release of “Country House” to coincide with Oasis’s “Roll With It.” The competition officially kicked off on August 14, 1995.

Fans were polarised, with everyone picking sides as the two Britpop giants went head-to-head over which band’s single would top the charts.

Delving into the intense rivalry between the two bands that dominated headlines and even TV news broadcasts, The Battle is written by former indie rocker and A&R executive John Niven, and directed by award-winner Matthew Dunster (2:22 A Ghost Story).

Starring Gavin & Stacey’s Mathew Horne as Britpop music exec Andy Ross, 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.

You’re either team Oasis or team Blur.

Based on (mostly) true events.

The Battle is playing in Birmingham and Manchester in 2026 prior to a West End run.

The Battle - Full casting

On one side, clean-cut, art-school Londoners. On the other: raw and unapologetic lads from Manchester. 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.

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Stars and Creatives

Mathew Horne in The Battle
Mathew Horne in The Battle

Who is in the cast of The Battle?

  • Mathew Horne as Andy Ross
  • Brandon Bendell as Alex
  • Iona Champain as Jo
  • Harriet Cains as Justine
  • Billy Dunmore as Guigsy
  • Tommy Garside as Bonehead
  • George Greenland as Alan White
  • Oscar Lloyd as Damon
  • Louisa Lytton as Meg
  • James Oates as Alan McGee
  • Paddy Stafford as Noel
  • Will Taylor as Graham
  • George Usher as Liam

Who are the creative team of The Battle?

  • Written by John Niven
  • Directed by Matthew Dunster
  • Set and costume design by Fly Davis
  • Lighting design by Jessica Hung Han Yun
  • Sound design by Ian Dickinson
  • Video design by Tal Rosner
  • Casting Director Claire Bleasdale
  • Produced by Melting Pot, Birmingham Rep and Gavin Kalin.

Venue Information

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Critics' reviews of The Battle

★★★★ "Stylish and full of attitude" - What's On Stage

★★★★ "A thoroughly Supersonic night" - Voice

● "John Niven’s raucous debut play" - The Times

Frequently Asked Questions

The running time of The Battle is Approx. 2 hours (including interval)
The age recommendations for The Battle are: 15+
Yes, The Battle has matinee performances on the following days:
No, sorry, The Battle has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

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