Mathew Horne is to play influential Britpop music executive, Andy Ross, caught in the crossfire of one of the most notorious rivalries in British music history in new Blue v Oasis comedy entitled The Battle. Opening at Birmingham Rep on Wednesday 11th February ahead of a major UK tour and a West End run, The Battle is an exploration of fame, ego, and the cultural clashes of 1990s Britain. The Battle offers an electrifying window into a moment that defined a generation - and changed the face of British music forever.
Mathew Horne will appear as Andy Ross until Saturday 30th May 2026
Mathew says of joining the cast of the play: “This play is right in the sweet spot of my teenage cultural experience. I’m thrilled to be exploring this iconic era in music on stage with such a talented creative team involved.”
Mathew is a British actor and writer. Best known for his portrayal of Gavin in the beloved BBC 1 show, Gavin and Stacey, he is a brilliant comedy performer with numerous credits to his name.
Theatre Credits Include: Endgame (Theatre Royal Bath), The Lover / The Collection (Theatre Royal Bath), Noises Off (Theatre Royal Haymarket), The Homecoming (Theatre Royal Bath & UK Tour), Rain Man (UK Tour), The Miser (Garrick), The Pride (Trafalgar Studios & UK Tour) and Charley’s Aunt (Menier Chocolate Factory & Theatre Royal Bath).
Film Credits Include: Bad Education (Cavebear Productions), Breaking the Bank (BTB Productions Ltd.), Horrid Henry (Vertigo Films) and Vanity Fair (VF Films).
Television Credits Include: Gavin and Stacey (BBC), Dad’s Army: The Lost Episodes (UKTV), Agatha Raisin (Sky), Worried About The Boy (BBC Two), Chekhov: Comedy Shorts (Baby Cow / Sky Arts), Catherine Tate’s Nan (Tiger Aspect) and Bad Education (BBC Three).
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 Best known for his razor-sharp novels including Kill Your Friends and The Second Coming, John Niven brings his uncompromising voice to the stage for the first time. The Battle draws on his deep insider knowledge of the music industry, shining a satirical light on the chaos behind the cool Britannia façade. The Battle is directed by Matthew Dunster (2:22 A Ghost Story, The Pillowman).
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.
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.
THE BATTLE – 2026 TOUR DATES
Mathew Horne will appear as Andy Ross until Saturday 30th May 2026
Birmingham Rep
Wednesday 11 February – Saturday 7 March
Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 March
Manchester, Opera House
Tuesday 17 - Saturday 21 March
www.atgtickets.com/venues/opera-house-manchester
Bromley, Churchill Theatre
Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 March
www.trafalgartickets.com/churchill-theatre-bromley
Woking, New Victoria Theatre
Tuesday 31 March – Saturday 4 April
www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre
Cheltenham, Everyman Theatre
Tuesday 14 – Saturday 19 April
Edinburgh, Festival Theatre
Tuesday 21 April – Saturday 25 April
Cardiff, Wales Millennium Centre
Tuesday 28 April – Saturday 2 May
Sheffield, Lyceum Theatre
Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 May
London, Richmond Theatre
Tuesday 19 - Saturday 23 May
www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre/
Glasgow, Theatre Royal
Tuesday 26 May – Saturday 30 May
www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-glasgow
York, Grand Opera House
Tuesday 9 – Saturday 13 June
www.atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york/
Norwich, Theatre Royal
Tuesday 16 – Saturday 20 June
Nottingham, Theatre Royal
Tuesday 23 – Saturday 27 June
Milton Keynes Theatre
Tuesday 30 June – Saturday 4 July
www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/
Newcastle, Theatre Royal
Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 July
Brighton, Theatre Royal
Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 July
www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton/
Chester, Storyhouse Theatre
Tuesday 28 July – Saturday 1 August
