Wednesday 11 February – Saturday 7 March 2026
Alongside co-producers Melting Pot, Birmingham Rep has announced world premiere production, The Battle, a new comedy based (mostly) on real events – reliving the heady summer of 1995 when heavyweights of Britpop, Blur and Oasis, went head-to-head in the greatest chart battle of all time.
The Battle is the first stage play by screenwriter and Sunday Times best-selling novelist John Niven (O’Brother, Kill Your Friends, How To Build A Girl). Directed by Matthew Dunster (2:22 A Ghost Story, The Pillowman), The Battle opens at Birmingham Rep on Wednesday 11th February 2026, ahead of a major UK tour, prior to the West End.
Co-Producer and Artistic Director of the Birmingham Rep Joe Murphy, adds:
“Bringing the World Premiere of The Battle to The Rep is genuinely so exciting. This chart battle rocked the nation and quite literally defined a generation and I already know that our audiences are going to have the time of their lives being taken back to the rivalries, the chaos and the big personalities that made it all so unforgettable.“
London, 1995. Two of the country’s biggest bands release singles on the same day, commencing the battle of Britpop. On one side, clean-cut, art-school intellectuals from the South. On the other: raw and unapologetic lads from the North. Rivalries flare, friendships fracture and at the centre of it all a mania that would define an era – were you Blur or Oasis?
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. Featuring legendary personalities and unforgettable clashes, it was never just about the music, but power, pride, and uncontrollable competitiveness. Expect filthy language and razor-sharp dialogue in this cut-throat new comedy that puts you right at the heart of the feuding, the fame, and the fallout. Get ready to roll with it.
Writer, John Niven, says of his first stage play: “1995: a time long before music splintered into a billion different Tik Tok feeds. 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.”
Director, Matthew Dunster, concludes:
“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. 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.”
The creative team also includes Fly Davis as Set and Costume Designer, Jessica Hung Han Yun as Lighting Designer, Ian Dickinson as Sound Designer, Tal Rosner as Video Designer and Casting Director, Claire Bleasdale.
Further cast and creatives to be announced.
Priority Booking for Gold & Silver Friends, Access Register & 16-25 members opens Tue 29 Apr at 10am.
Priority Booking for Bronze Friends opens Thu 1 May at 10am.
Public Booking opens Fri 2 May at 10am.
LISTINGS
THE BATTLE
Melting Pot and Birmingham Rep presents
Wednesday 11 February – Saturday 7 March
Age Guidance: 14+
Audio Described: Sat 28 Feb 2.30pm
A Free Touch Tour is available to book at 1.30pm before the Audio Described performance.
BSL Interpreted: Thu 26 Feb 7.30pm
Captioned: Thu 5 Mar 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Chilled: Thu 26 Feb 2.30pm