We are probably all aware of Marcelo Bielsa’s godlike status in the city of Leeds but a new play has moved to take that even loftier heights.
For the next few weeks, the church of Bielsa has been erected at Leeds Playhouse with it featuring a strained glass window mock-up of the legendary Argentine football manager - who spearheaded Leeds United ending their 16-year Premier League exile in 2020. This is all for the staging of the new play Through It All Together.
Penned by Chris O’Connor it is a self-confessed love note to Bielsa with the narrative focused on the salvation and escapism he and his side offer to couple Sue and Howard - the latter diagnosed with dementia.
While the lives of the couple and their adult daughter, played by Natalie Davies, uncontrollably change, the family long for a ‘miracle’ in seeing their beloved Leeds United back in the holy land of England’s top flight.
For football fans, many on Friday evening being encouraged to go against ‘normal’ theatre etiquette donning their finest Whites shirts, there’s lots of subtle touches to enjoy…or at least recognise that quite relatable struggle that only football fandom can supply.
Legendary Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa takes centre stage in Through It All Together at Leeds Playhouse
Legendary Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa takes centre stage in Through It All Together at Leeds Playhouse (Image: Charlie Swinbourne)
Everal A Walsh, who brilliantly provides the comic relief alongside the talented Dean Smith in their multiple roles, declaring ‘it’s all f**ked’. Who can’t say they haven’t been there in such a downward spiral after suffering 90 minutes of pure despair? There’s much dark humour of that vein during Through It All Together’s two halves.
There’s lots of little Easter eggs for Leeds United devotees - many taking in the club-inspired exhibition in the foyer pre-show. In the production, homage being paid to Bielsa promotion heroes Kalvin Phillips, Pablo Hernández, Patrick Bamford et al, Spygate (‘We’ll spy when want’ jovially being collectively proudly aired) and the highs, as well as those lows, in the journey - often soundtracked by ‘voice of the club’ BBC’s Adam Pope. Through It All Together presents the match experience, in its use of lighting, impressively while it also captures the rise of content curators - whether you love them or loathe them.
Everal A Walsh and Dean Smith appear in Through It All Together at Leeds Playhouse
Everal A Walsh and Dean Smith appear in Through It All Together at Leeds Playhouse (Image: Charlie Swinbourne)
While there’s undoubtedly much to savour for a Leeds United devotee, particularly in a year where the city is celebrating another Premier League promotion, a football supporter of any persuasion can easily come away from Leeds Playhouse enjoying the end result.
And, even if you detest the sport and the notion of Bielsa’s bucket leaves you a little confused, the true heart of the piece comes in the love shared between Reece Dinsdale’s Howard and wife Sue - played by Coronation Street legend Shobna Gulati. While their lives change, they are marching on together with their love unwavering.
The impressive staging of Through It All Together
The impressive staging of Through It All Together (Image: Charlie Swinbourne)
Former Emmerdale star Dinsdale (going against type as a Huddersfield Town season ticket holder) recently told us that the dementia storyline is what drew him to the production helmed by Gitika Buttoo. It being handled delicately with care and comparison in a tender fashion. The key theme being well-researched and in the thoughts of the team at the venue with nods to the great work carried out by Leeds United’s Corner Flag Cafe and the play’s run including relaxed dementia-friendly performances.
Through It All Together also takes us back to the life-threatening risks and general challenges the Coronavirus Pandemic brought in 2020…not least stopping the football season and potentially derailing Bielsa’s side’s promotion push. Although, we all know how the latter ended.
Soon after capturing that joy, much-needed in Leeds back in 2020, that gallows humour all football fans possess being displayed brilliantly. Gulati’s Sue declaring “I’m sure it’ll all go to s**t again.”
But through thick and thin, we all know, your club is in your blood and many exited the theatre demonstrating this by singing Marching On Together - belting it out with gusto. It’s quite likely many in attendance will be returning to Leeds Playhouse for a replay in the coming weeks.
Through It All Together is a top of the table triumph.
Through it All Together will be staged at Leeds Playhouse until Saturday, July 19. You can find ticket information here.
To find out the latest event news in our city you can visit our Best in Leeds homepage. There you will also find a guide to great things to do in Leeds. Stuck at home and wishing you were there? Download your favourite artists from Amazon and Apple music.
Yorkshire Live has launched Explore Yorkshire, which will look at Yorkshire's unique identity and destinations and celebrate God's Own County for what it is - the best place in the world. Whether you are looking for a day out, a weekend away or to try somewhere new, Explore Yorkshire is here to help. Our brilliant new newsletter will bring all of this content together for you in one place - sign up here to get it direct to your inbox.