The Battle: A new comedy play about Blur vs Oasis rivalry to head out on UK tour

Pick your swagger-filled, baggy-clothed fighter: Blur or Oasis? A brand-new comedy play reliving the wild summer of Britpop’s biggest showdown is hitting the stage in 2026.

The Battle, the first-ever stage play from Sunday Times best-seller John Niven, will premiere at Birmingham Rep on Wednesday 11th February 2026, before heading off on a major UK tour and into the West End.

Set against the backdrop of August 1995, The Battle (mostly) captures the real chaos that ensued as Britain's two biggest bands released singles on the same day - Blur’s 'Country House' and Oasis’ 'Roll With It' - in a bid for Number One. The so-called ‘Battle of Britpop’ became a full-blown media circus. Blur eventually clinched the top spot, but the chaos that followed - North vs South, class wars, lad culture vs art school - became the stuff of legend.

Directed by Matthew Dunster (2:22 A Ghost Story, The Pillowman), The Battle promises to be packed with “filthy language and razor-sharp dialogue,” bringing the sweaty mid-90s energy back to life.

“1995: a time long before music splintered into a billion different TikTok feeds,” said John Niven on his first stage play. “When music was so central to the culture that two pop groups could dominate the entire summer, the evening news and the front page of every newspaper in the country. We're going to take you back there. I've never written for the stage before, and it has been an absolute blast to do so for the first time with a producer as supportive as Simon and a director as talented as Matthew.”

Directed by Matthew Dunster (2:22 A Ghost Story, The Pillowman), The Battle promises to be packed with “filthy language and razor-sharp dialogue,” bringing the sweaty mid-90s energy back to life.

“I remember the Battle of the Bands. I remember the charts that week. Music mattered. I remember being in my twenties in 1995. What a wild time. Full of energy, naughtiness and hilarity. Just like John Niven’s play,” said Matthew Dunster. “I’m so delighted to be working with John on such a punchy, hilarious and revealing comedy about two of the best bands of all time, Blur and Oasis.”

Producer Simon Friend added: “Throughout my sister’s teenage years, she had an enormous poster of Damon Albarn on her wall, and I remember her falling out with friends over which band they loved more. Ever since, this story has been in the back of my mind, and I was delighted that John Niven agreed to write it because there is no more qualified or hilarious chronicler of this world, and combined with Matthew Dunster directing, we have a fearless team recreating the sweaty mid-‘90s carnage of ‘The Battle of Britpop’.”

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. Get ready to roll with it — this is Britpop’s biggest bust-up, live on stage.

After the opening run at the Birmingham Rep from Wednesday 11 February – Saturday 7 March 2026 (for which you can buy tickets now), The Battle will be heading out on tour and heading to the following venues: 

MARCH

9th - 14th – Leicester, Curve Theatre

17th - 21st – Manchester, Opera House

24th - 28th – Bromley, Churchill Theatre

31st - 4th April – Woking, New Victoria Theatre

APRIL

14th - 19th – Cheltenham, Everyman Theatre

21st - 25th – Edinburgh, Festival Theatre

28th - 2nd May – Cardiff, Wales Millennium Centre

MAY

5th - 9th – Sheffield, Lyceum Theatre

12th - 16th – Ipswich, Regent Theatre

19th - 23rd – London, Richmond Theatre

26th - 30th – Glasgow, Theatre Royal

JUNE

9th - 13th – York, Grand Opera House

16th - 20th – Norwich, Theatre Royal

23rd - 27th – Nottingham, Theatre Royal

30th - 4th July – Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes Theatre

JULY

7th - 11th – Newcastle, Theatre Royal

14th - 18th – Brighton, Theatre Royal

28th - 1st August – Chester, Storyhouse Theatre

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

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