Glory, glory, Leeds United in Through It All Together

Leeds Playhouse has announced a "Premiership" line up for the premiere of football drama Through It All Together (June 23-July 19).

Shobna Gulati and Reece Dinsdale star in Chris O'Connor's love letter to the glory days of former manager Marcelo Bielsa, who in 2020 led the club back into the Premiership.

Gulati (Coronation Street, dinnerladies) and Dinsdale (Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Spooks, Silent Witness) play Sue and Howard, a Yorkshire couple navigating a diagnosis of dementia while cheering on their beloved football team.

Shobna said: “I’m really looking forward to being a part of the brilliant team telling this heartfelt story. We share how this family navigates the impact of this condition through the challenges and choices they face, and how the shared love of their football team continues to cement their bond.”

Reece said: “I’m honoured to play Howard in a heartfelt piece that so many will relate to. Whether it’s through the beautifully observed portrayal of someone living with dementia and the people who care for them, or through the deep connection of being a football fan, this play speaks to the heart.

“I’m a dedicated Huddersfield Town fan so I know the love a football fan has for their team is unfaltering - whether it’s Huddersfield, Real Madrid or Leeds United. If you know what it means to live through a club’s highs and lows, you’ll understand the extraordinary love affair Leeds had with Marcelo Bielsa. I salute Chris O’Connor for penning such a moving and resonant piece.”

Chris, a lifelong Leeds United supporter, said: “Through It All Together is the culmination of two things I felt compelled to write about. It's a story of dementia that isn’t just a narrative of loss, but one that balances the challenges with hope.

"It’s also my tribute to Marcelo Bielsa, who not only inspired a weary fanbase and brought my beloved Leeds United back to the Premier League, but also stood as a man of principle and integrity in a money-driven world.”

Director Gitika Buttoo said: “This story speaks to anyone who has loved someone through change. It’s full of humour, heart, and humanity; I think people will see part of themselves in it."

*Leeds Playhouse offers a variety of creative activities for people living with dementia, including Our Time sessions for people with dementia and their partners; Peer Support sessions with cultural organisations across the city, and Dementia Friendly performances, which have received awards from the Alzheimer’s Society and the National Dementia Care Awards.

More info and tickets here