Gerry & Sewell sets cast for West End premiere

Full casting has been announced for the West End debut of Jamie Eastlake’s football drama Gerry & Sewell.

Based on Jonathan Tulloch’s novel The Season Ticket – later adapted into the Geordie cult film Purely Belter – the play follows two lads from Gateshead, Gerry and Sewell, who have nowt but a dream: to get their hands on season tickets for their beloved Newcastle United. What unfolds is a funny, raw and heartwarming story of friendship, loyalty and determination.

The show plays a limited two-week run at the Aldwych Theatre from 13 to 24 January 2026.

West End and TV star Chelsea Halfpenny (Emmerdale, 9 to 5: The Musical, Waitress) will join the cast as Claire McCarten, alongside Bill Fellows (Coronation Street, Ted Lasso) who plays Mr McCarten, Gerry’s dad, and Katherine Dow Blyton (Emmerdale, This is England) as tough, loving Mrs McCarten.

Previously announced cast include Dean Logan (Coronation Street) as Gerry, BAFTA-nominated Jack Robertson (Where It Ends) as Sewell, Becky Clayburn (Cinderella, Northern Stage), multi-rolling as Tyneside, Erin Mullen (Midsomer Murders) as Bridget McCarten, and Matty Renton (Football News, Sky Sports News) as Journo.

The cast is completed by Helen Chong (Hundred Feet Tall, Old Vic Theatre), Alicia Meehan (Public Record, National Theatre), Dylan Duffy (Big Ange, Live Theatre), Patrick Ziza (The Odyssey: Episode 4 – The Island of the Sun, National Theatre) and Kyle Potter (Alice in Wonderful, New Vic Theatre) as Dancers.

Following sell-out runs at Laurels in North Tyneside, Live Theatre and the Newcastle Theatre Royal, the show’s rise mirrors its story – two underdogs daring to defy the odds. Eastlake’s production blends live music, puppet dogs and the passion of Wor Flags into a celebration of working-class life and the spirit of the Toon.

*Gerry & Sewell production photos. Von Fox Productions.*

Written and directed by Olivier Award-winner Jamie Eastlake, the creative team includes Associate Director Rosie Bowden, Movement Director Lucy Curry, Musical Director Declan Flannery, Set Design by The Set Guise, Sound Design by Aidan Tulloch, and Puppet Design by Georgia Hill. The General Manager is Alex Turner, with Newcastle Theatre Royal co-producing alongside Eastlake Productions.

Gerry & Sewell runs from 13 to 24 January 2026 at the Aldwych Theatre, London.

Book tickets to Gerry & Sewell at Aldwych Theatre, London

Sign-up for booking alerts, offers & news about Gerry & Sewell and other shows:

Main photo: Chelsea Halfpenny, Bill Fellows & Katherine Dow Blyton. Photo via PR.