Celebration of The Seagulls

Producer Jackie Alexander is promising a fast, hilarious and emotional drama, following Albion fans Southy and Gerbil as they grow up, grow apart, and later reunite through their passion for the Club.

“Along the way they try to introduce school friend Susan to the joys of football (and later to the joys of matrimony when she weds Southy), and succeed in turning Gerbil’s mum Anna into an ardent supporter.

“Southy and Gerbil, aided and abetted by the mysterious music-hall turn Mr Albion, take the audience on a roller-coaster ride through Albion memories: from humble beginnings to First Division glory, from Cup Final to the end of the Goldstone, Hereford, Gillingham, Withdean, promotion and on, heads held high, to Falmer and the future.”

Jackie added: “When Brighton ‘Til I Die! was first performed in 2001, Brighton & Hove Albion were homeless and renting a running track in Withdean after the Goldstone Ground had been sold. The play, created by Paul Hodson and Dave Blake, celebrated the club’s centenary – one hundred years of a football club that only just survived, thanks to the footballing community in Brighton and beyond uniting to save the Albion. The play ended with a passionate plea for a new stadium.

“Ten years on, that new stadium is about to open and the play is back – for three performances only - revived, refreshed and ready to celebrate the story of Brighton and Hove Albion and its supporters.

“Every performance of Brighton ‘Til I Die! in 2001 ended in a standing ovation, and the rare sight of a theatre full of grown men wiping tears from their eyes.

“The secret of the play’s success is its accessibility, not just to football fans but to their family and friends as well. Alongside a whistle-stop tour of the club’s history, it also explores football culture and community in an extremely funny and insightful manner. That insight comes from the personal experience and knowledge of the writers, cast members and producers, all of whom are football fans and most of whom are Brighton & Hove Albion season ticket holders.”

The show comes from The Future Is Unwritten, a Brighton-based theatre company whose previous productions include: Thirteen (Brighton Festival 2009); Meeting Joe Strummer (Fringe First winner; UK tour 2010); Don’t Shoot The Clowns (UK tour 2010)

The cast is Southy - Steve North; Gerbil - Jem Wall; Susan - Beth Fitzgerald; Chrissy - Ann Penfold; and Mr Albion - Mark Brailsford.

Writers Paul Hodson and Dave Blake and performers Jem Wall, Beth Fitzgerald and Mark Brailsford are all Brighton based.

Paul Hodson and Steve North are the authors of Build A Bonfire – How Football Fans United To Save Brighton & Hove Albion (published 1997), the story, told entirely through interviews with those involved, of what to and what not to do when your football club is in peril.

Jem Wall and Beth Fitzgerald were both in Hydrocracker’s production The New World Order at the 2011 Brighton Festival. Mark Brailsford is the founder, director and lead performer of The Treason Show in Brighton.

Tickets on www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton or 0844 871 7650.