Glossop Rugby Union Club is branching out into theatre with the introduction of Fly Half.

Fly Half is a new play by Gary Lagden, with original songs by Gareth Moulton, and is coming to Glossop RUFC on Friday, September 17, at 7.30pm.

Fly Half is about one man’s passion for his family, his town and his beloved game of rugby.

Set in an industrial town in South Wales, this play is a celebration of working class families who head out to the match each week, stand pitch side with pride, supporting their local team.

A member of Glossop RUFC, James Gradwell-Spencer saw the play with friends in 2019 and decided to look into bringing it to Glossop.

He said:  “Loving rugby like we do, when we saw Fly Half advertised in Oldham, we decided to give it a go.

“All I can say is that it was amazing, it completely blew us away.

“We decided then and there that it should be performed in our clubhouse, with the club’s history all around us.

“We tried but were beaten by Covid, now we are finally bringing it to Glossop RUFC for everyone, not just players past and present but the whole community.”

The play was first performed at writer/actor Gary Lagden’s home town rugby club, Aberavon, in Port Talbot, the town in South Wales that is just as famous for the prestigious actors it has produced, as it is for its steel.

Gary and Gareth have now performed Fly Half in theatres and rugby clubs across the UK to critical acclaim.

Critic for British Theatre, Paul T Davies compared Gary’s playwriting to Dylan Thomas and his voice to Richard Burton, in his five star review: “The play is about Wales, rugby, and, in particular, the community that the sport fosters and encourages.

“Welsh pride and passion, the mythology of rugby and the reality of working class life. ”

Gary and Gareth can’t wait to bring Fly Half to Glossop RUFC and meet James and other club members again and experience their local club stories too.

For more details visit https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/williams-world-theatre

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