A PRODUCTION of John Bevan Team Player from Lions to League is coming to the Blake Theatre.

It’s 1971. Margaret Thatcher becomes known as the ‘Milk Snatcher’. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is nominated for 10 BAFTAs and the British Lions with 13 Welsh players do something that has never been done before and never repeated since.

They defeat mighty All Blacks on their own turf in New Zealand.

Imagine, like John Bevan, that you are 20 years old, and a part of that phenomenal success. How does that feel? And what happens afterwards? Within two years John Bevan leaves Union for League and a new life. What is he searching for? And will he find it? Or is this the end of a dream...

Mari Lloyd’s new solo play explores the triumphs and challenges of three years in the sporting career of Welsh rugby player John Bevan, as it chronicles the Test Series in Australia and New Zealand in 1971 and the period which followed in 1973 when John left the success of his rugby union roots “go north” for a job to play rugby league for Warrington.

This is the new production from the team behind the acclaimed, award nominated Still Here by Mari Lloyd named by The Edit as one of ‘The Top 20 Shows We Saw Across Wales’ in 2025.

Praise for Still Here Productions:

“Mari Lloyd’s work stands as a testament to the enduring power of Welsh storytelling to connect, challenge, and inspire Welsh writers to pick up the mantle and forge their own stories of what it means to be Welsh.”

The Edit “English-speaking Welsh theatre has been scared of showcasing Welsh people for a long time; it’s exciting to see a company not only doing it but doing it well, said Buzz Magazine.

“Incredibly powerful,” said Everything Theatre

“Hugely enjoyable,” said Fair Powered Productions

The tickets are £15 or £10 concessions plus a booking fee.

You can find out more information on The Blake Theatre website.