Gerry & Sewell - Aldwych Theatre

From childhood, we are told stories with meaning — stories that carry a moral. That is, after all, where the familiar phrase “the moral of the story is…” comes from. Beauty and the Beast teaches us that true beauty comes from within; Peter Pan reminds us to treasure our childlike spirit. The point is that good stories leave the audience with something to take away. Gerry & Sewell, despite its impressive journey from a small pub theatre to major regional stages, does not seem primarily concerned with delivering a clear moral, which may leave some viewers searching for a stronger takeaway.

Gerry and Sewell dream of securing season tickets to their favourite football club and are willing to go to great lengths to achieve this. As someone who does not engage with this country’s football culture, much of the story’s appeal was difficult for me to fully connect with. While the drive to pursue a dream is understandable, the characters’ repeated turn towards petty crime — particularly when opportunities for genuine support and self-improvement are presented — made it challenging to sympathise with their choices.

Von Fox Productions

It is not unusual for a story to ask its audience to root against, or at least question, its protagonists. In this case, however, those moments felt uncomfortably close to endorsing behaviour that many viewers may find troubling. Without revealing too much, the characters are clearly shaped by difficult circumstances, and their hardships are evident. When the opportunity arises for meaningful help, though, it is dismissed until a football ticket is offered as incentive. As someone who values education and believes strongly in the importance of hard work, this message felt at odds with the potential for growth the story hints at but does not fully explore.

That said, the show does succeed in highlighting the darker, often unspoken sides of football culture in this country. Themes such as domestic abuse and street violence are handled with a sense of realism that refuses to romanticise them, offering a stark reflection of uncomfortable truths. In this respect, the writing feels most assured.

Notably, the female characters stand out as some of the most compelling figures in the production. Although their stories feel underdeveloped, they are written with depth and sensitivity. These are narratives that deserve greater focus, and from what is presented, the women often emerge as the emotional core of the show — the characters the audience most instinctively wants to see succeed.

Von Fox Productions

Set in Newcastle, the production naturally features strong northern accents and region-specific cultural references. As a non-native English speaker, this occasionally made the dialogue difficult to follow and created a barrier to full engagement with the story. While this adds authenticity to the setting, it may also limit accessibility for audiences unfamiliar with the dialect or local cultural context.

The performances throughout the production are, however, consistently strong. The cast deliver their roles with a sense of honesty and emotional commitment that grounds the story, even when the narrative choices are difficult to connect with. Moments of humour, frustration, and vulnerability feel genuine, and the actors succeed in making the characters’ struggles believable and human. It is this sincerity in performance that often carries the show through its more challenging thematic moments.

In conclusion, Gerry & Sewell presents an authentic portrayal of football culture and is supported by strong performances, but it struggles to offer a clear moral or meaningful character development. The narrative often asks the audience to accept troubling choices without sufficient reflection, making it difficult to fully engage with the protagonists’ journey. While culturally specific and honest in its depiction, the production ultimately feels more observational than impactful.

Production Value: 45%

Value For Money: 50%

Personal Enjoyment: 41%

Overall Score: 45% - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3*)

(AD | Ticket gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Show Information

Venue: Aldwych Theatre, London

Playing until: 24th January 2026

Run Time: Approximately 2h10 - including a 20-minute interval

Tickets for this show can be found at this link.