Oasis vs Blur Britpop comedy The Battle confirms cast

Full casting has been revealed for The Battle, a new stage comedy exploring the infamous 1990s chart rivalry between Blur and Oasis.

Directed by Matthew Dunster, whose previous credits include 2:22 A Ghost Story and The Pillowman, The Battle revisits the high-profile Britpop rivalry of summer 1995, when Blur and Oasis released singles on the same day.

It is the first stage play by screenwriter and novelist John Niven, drawing on Niven’s background in the music industry and his novels Kill Your Friends and The Second Coming.

The production opens at Birmingham Rep on 11 February 2026, ahead of a run at Manchester’s Opera House from 17 to 21 March, prior to the West End.

As already revealed, Mathew Horne will portray Britpop music executive Andy Ross in this production.

Joining him are Brandon Bendell (The Lord of the Rings) as Alex, Iona Champain (Earthquakes in London) as Jo, Harriet Cains (Bridgerton) as Justine, Billy Dunmore (Surface) as Guigsy, Tommy Garside (Sexy Beast) as Bonehead, George Greenland (Empire of Light) as Alan White, Oscar Lloyd (Stranger Things: The First Shadow) as Damon, Louisa Lytton (EastEnders) as Meg, and James Oates (Waterloo Road) as Alan McGee.

Paddy Stafford will play Noel (Mojo), Will Taylor (The Play That Goes Wrong) will play Graham, and George Usher (professional stage debut) will play Liam.

The creative team features Fly Davis (set and costume), Jessica Hung Han Yun (lighting), Ian Dickinson (sound), Tal Rosner (video) and Claire Bleasdale (casting). The Battle is produced by Melting Pot, Birmingham Rep and Gavin Kalin.