New Play Explores the Untold Story of Welsh Rugby Legend John Bevan

A new touring production is set to shine a spotlight on one of Welsh rugby's most fascinating and often overlooked stories, as John Bevan: Team Player – From Lions to League heads to venues across South Wales this July.

Written by acclaimed Welsh playwright Mari Lloyd, the new one-man play explores the remarkable journey of rugby union star and British Lion John Bevan, tracing his path from the glory of the historic 1971 British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand to his controversial move to Warrington Rugby League Club just two years later.

At a time when crossing rugby's great divide could come at a significant personal and professional cost, Bevan's decision to switch codes raised questions that continue to resonate today: What do we expect from our sporting heroes, and what do we owe them in return?

Performed by Scott Gutteridge, whose credits include work with RADA, the Royal Shakespeare Company and Kenneth Branagh's Oscar-winning film Belfast, the production promises an intimate and powerful examination of sporting ambition, identity and sacrifice.

Directed by Julia Stubbs, John Bevan: Team Player – From Lions to League delves beyond the headlines and sporting achievements to reveal the human story behind one of Welsh rugby's most respected figures.

For many rugby fans, John Bevan's name is synonymous with one of the greatest moments in British rugby history. As part of the legendary 1971 Lions squad, he helped secure the only Lions series victory ever achieved in New Zealand – a feat that remains unmatched more than half a century later.

Yet while that triumph secured his place in rugby folklore, the years that followed presented a different challenge. Bevan's move north to join Warrington Rugby League Club in 1973 placed him at the centre of a debate that touched on loyalty, professionalism and the realities faced by elite athletes.

Mari Lloyd's new play uses Bevan's personal story to explore wider questions about Welsh identity, sporting culture and the expectations placed upon those who represent their nation on the biggest stages.

The production also offers audiences a unique opportunity to hear directly from the man himself. John Bevan will attend every performance and take part in a post-show question-and-answer session alongside the creative team, giving audiences an insight into both the real events behind the story and the process of bringing them to the stage.

For rugby supporters, theatre lovers and anyone interested in modern Welsh history, the production promises a compelling blend of sport, storytelling and lived experience.

With Wales' relationship with rugby deeply woven into the nation's cultural identity, John Bevan: Team Player – From Lions to League arrives as a timely exploration of the pressures and expectations that come with wearing the famous red jersey — and what happens when the final whistle blows.

The tour opens at The Blake Theatre in Monmouth before travelling to Cwmavon Village Hall in Pontypool, Tylorstown Welfare Hall and the Melville Centre for the Arts in Abergavenny during the first week of July.

Combining theatre, history and one of Welsh sport's most intriguing personal journeys, this new production offers audiences the chance to see a rugby legend's story from a perspective rarely explored.