Gavin & Stacey star Mathew Horne has joined the cast for The Battle, a new comedy based on the famous chart war between Oasis and Blur.
The stage play, written by John Niven and directed by Matthew Dunster, will depict the rivalry – later dubbed the “Battle of Britpop – between the two bands, which came to a head in the mid-1990s as they each reached their commercial peak.
Horne, who portrayed Gavin Shipman in the beloved BBC sitcom, will assume the role of “influential” music executive Andy Ross, a figure who was “caught in the crossfire” of one of the most “notorious” feuds in the history of the British music industry.
“This play is right in the sweet spot of my teenage cultural experience,” said the actor, whose run in the play lasts until 30 May 2026. “I’m thrilled to be exploring this iconic era in music on stage with such a talented creative team involved.”
“London, 1995. Two of the country’s biggest bands release singles on the same day, commencing the battle of Britpop,” reads the synopsis for the play, which will premiere in Birmingham on 11 February 2026.
BBC/Toffee International Ltd./Tom Jackson
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“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,” continues the logline for the production, which will feature “legendary personalities and unforgettable clashes.”
BBC
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“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.”
Billed as a “blistering and darkly funny exploration of fame, ego, and the cultural clashes of 1990s Britain”, the play is said to offer an “electrifying window into a moment that defined a generation” and “changed the face of British music forever”.
The Battle will tour across the UK from 11 February 2026 until 1 August.
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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.