Oasis vs Blur – The Battle That Rocked the Nation at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 Oasis vs Blur – The Battle That Rocked the Nation Brings Britpop Mayhem to Newcastle Theatre Royal

Oasis vs Blur – The Battle That Rocked the Nation

Newcastle Theatre Royal 

Tuesday 7 July - Saturday 11 July 2026

This summer, prepare to be thrust back into one of the most iconic pop culture clashes in British history as Oasis vs Blur – The Battle That Rocked the Nation comes storming into Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 7 July to Saturday 11 July 2026. This riotous new stage comedy relives the legendary Britpop face-off that defined a generation – a time when two bands didn’t just fight for chart dominance but came to symbolise a cultural civil war between North and South, cool and chaos, swagger and style.

Set against the backdrop of London in 1995, The Battle tells the story of the infamous week when Britpop heavyweights Blur and Oasis released singles on the same day – unleashing a frenzy of fan devotion, media speculation, and musical one-upmanship. This was no mere chart competition; it was a battle for the soul of British youth. On one side stood Blur: the sharp, art-school darlings of the South, led by the impossibly photogenic Damon Albarn. On the other: Oasis, the gritty Manchester rockers fronted by the warring Gallagher brothers, bringing Northern bravado and untouchable swagger to the stage.

The Battle doesn’t just recount the headlines – it throws audiences into the backstage brawls, the Brit Awards bust-ups, and the emotional chaos of a generation obsessed with identity, rivalry, and musical rebellion. It’s a "wickedly funny dive into one of the greatest rivalries in rock history", packed with big laughs, even bigger egos, and a reminder that the ‘90s weren’t just about the music – they were about pride, class, and chaos.

The play marks the first foray into theatre for writer John Niven, known for his sharp wit and scathing satire in books like Kill Your Friends and O Brother. Reflecting on the inspiration behind the script, Niven says:

“1995: a time long before music splintered into a billion different TikTok 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.”

That director is none other than Matthew Dunster, whose prolific theatre career includes 2:22 A Ghost Story, Shirley Valentine, The Pillowman, and Olivier and Tony-nominated productions across London’s West End and Broadway. Dunster remembers the original chart battle vividly:

“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.”

Behind the scenes, producer Simon Friend brings personal nostalgia to the production:

“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.”

The creative team are no strangers to hits. Niven, who grew up in Ayrshire and now lives in Buckinghamshire, spent a decade in the music industry before becoming a bestselling author and acclaimed screenwriter. The Battle is his theatrical debut – a venture that promises to channel all the biting commentary and musical mayhem he’s known for.

Matthew Dunster, originally from Oldham and now based in South East London, has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, Royal Court, Young Vic, and Shakespeare’s Globe. With four Olivier nominations under his belt and a recent Broadway run of Hangmen garnering five Tony nominations, his presence at the helm ensures that The Battle will be more than just a nostalgia trip – it’s set to be a theatrical event brimming with style, substance, and no small amount of swagger.

Tickets:
Oasis vs Blur – The Battle That Rocked the Nation runs at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 7 July to Saturday 11 July 2026. Tickets can be purchased via www.theatreroyal.co.uk or by calling the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

Booking opens on Thursday 22 May 2025, with priority booking available as follows:

• Friends Plus – Monday 12 May 2025

• Friends – Thursday 15 May 2025

• Flexi/Groups/Schools – Tuesday 20 May 2025

So whether you had Damon’s poster on your wall, shouted “Mad fer it” at the telly, or just want a sharp, hilarious look back at the most gloriously petty week in pop history – get ready to pick your side, grab your tickets, and relive the battle that truly rocked the nation.

Were you Blur or Oasis?