The West End has a new, riotously funny resident as the Geordie football musical Gerry & Sewell kicks off its run at the Aldwych Theatre. This joyous production, which charts the misadventures of two unemployed Newcastle United fans, delivers non-stop laughter and an infectious energy that has earned its place in London's theatreland.
From Social Club to West End Stage
This is a show with a remarkable journey. It first saw the light of day in a modest Tyneside social club, a world away from the bright lights of London. Through sheer force of its humour and heart, it has snowballed into a fully-fledged West End production, a rare feat that underscores its unique appeal. The musical is based on Jonathan Tulloch's novel The Season Ticket, part of a rich tradition of gritty, working-class storytelling influenced by authors like Irvine Welsh.
The story, set for a Friday 16 January 2026 opening, follows the titular Gerry and Sewell, two lads whose sole ambition is to secure season tickets to watch Newcastle United fight in the Premier League. The stumbling block? A hefty £800 price tag and their own penniless state. Their desperate, often absurd schemes to raise the cash – from selling a second-hand toilet to pilfering shop tills – form the backbone of this hilarious narrative.
A Cast Full of Charisma and Comedy
Dean Logan shines as Gerry, bringing a boisterous, James Corden-esque charm to the role of the soft-centred schemer. He's a lovable rogue, surviving on purloined McDonald's and winking his way through scrapes. Opposite him, Jack Robertson delivers a nuanced performance as Sewell, the smarter but more deeply troubled friend, grappling with a devastating family secret that adds a layer of poignant realism.
The production, directed by Jamie Eastlake, launches with the intensity of a football match finale. The auditorium transforms into a storm of black-and-white flags and match-day buzz, an atmosphere so potent it could convert even the most ardent football sceptic. The show is packed with showboating song-and-dance numbers and delightfully odd animal puppets, ensuring the comedy never lets up.
Balancing Laughter and Grit
Where Gerry & Sewell truly excels is in its self-aware wit. It cleverly navigates the tension of presenting a story of poverty and deprivation to a largely middle-class theatre audience. One job centre official even quips, "I'm more of a bastard than anyone in any Ken Loach film." This sharp meta-commentary sits alongside a more traditional, pantomime-like laddishness.
This tonal blend is the show's most intriguing challenge. The central duo's madcap escapades sometimes jar against the bleak, kitchen-sink drama realities of the abused women in their lives. Yet, the production's sheer joyful energy and relentless humour carry the audience through these patches.
Its arrival on Shaftesbury Avenue feels profoundly symbolic. It acts as a vibrant, noisy reminder of how British working-class stories have been sidelined in mainstream culture this century, and how vital and entertaining they are when given a platform. Gerry & Sewell is a triumphant, hilarious celebration that deserves its moment in the spotlight.
