Two beloved stars from Britain's most iconic soap operas are sharing the stage in a powerful new West End production that celebrates and critiques life in the North East. Katherine Dow Blyton, formerly of Emmerdale, and Bill Fellows, known from Coronation Street and Ted Lasso, headline the tragicomedy Gerry & Sewell, which has made a remarkable journey from a small social club to the bright lights of London.
From the Dales and the Cobbles to the Aldwych Stage
The play tells the rousing, heartfelt story of two hard-up football fans from Gateshead whose mission is to secure season tickets for their beloved Newcastle United. Dow Blyton, who played Harriet Finch in Emmerdale until 2022, takes on the role of Gerry's resilient mother, Mrs McCarten. Fellows, recognised for his recent three-year role as Stu Carpenter in Coronation Street, portrays the character's complex and abusive father.
The production has a limited run at London's Aldwych Theatre until Sunday, 24 January 2026, before it travels north for a homecoming engagement at the Newcastle Theatre Royal from 9 to 13 June. North Shields-born Dow Blyton, who is also appearing in the Sheffield boxing biopic Giant with Pierce Brosnan, emphasised the play's deep emotional core in a recent interview.
More Than Just a Football Story
"Ultimately, it's not really a tale about football," Dow Blyton explained. "It's about family bonds, struggle, shame, love, and clinging to hope when it feels utterly lost. This play has immense heart. Being from the North East myself, I deeply recognise the spirit of these characters, their language, and how they cope with life's challenges."
Adapted from the film Purely Belter, Jamie Eastlake's stage version blends song, dance, comedy, and intense family drama. The recent gala performance began explosively, with the audience joining in a football chant, waving provided black-and-white flags—the colours of Newcastle United—setting the tone for what Blyton describes as an emotional journey that "blows audiences away" from the start.
A Remarkable Rags-to-Riches Journey
The play's own story mirrors the scrappy determination of its leads, brilliantly played by Dean Logan (Gerry) and Jack Robertson (Sewell). It first came to life in 2022 in a modest 60-seater social club in North Tyneside. Its successful transfer to the West End is a testament to its powerful storytelling and vibrant, authentic characters, which remain intact alongside its subtle critique of regional politics and social austerity.
The London debut even attracted proud adopted Geordie and Vera star Brenda Blethyn, who was spotted in the audience enjoying the show. While the themes of hardship and family conflict are sometimes tough, they are made accessible through consistent threads of humour, music, and genuine heart.
It is a significant and welcome event to see such a proudly regional narrative, filled with Geordie spirit and nuance, captivating audiences in the heart of London's theatreland. This uplifting production proves that stories from every corner of the UK deserve a spot on the national stage.
