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The Red Lion at Trafalgar Studios, London SW1

Three generations explore contrasting ideas about loyalty, ambition and what it takes to win in this powerful locker room drama from multi award winning writer Patrick Marber. A promising young football player arrives at a struggling non-league club and pits the veteran kit man against the ambitious manager who’ll do anything to keep the club and himself afloat.  

Directed by Max Roberts, this new version of The Red Lion transfers to London following a sell out run at Live Theatre and stars Stephen Tompkinson (DCI Banks, Drop the Dead Donkey), John Bowler (DCI Banks, The Bill) and Dean Bone (Vera).

In a play that resonates in contemporary British society, The Red Lion goes far beyond the pitch to look at hope, obsessions and the desperation of humanity to be a part of something.

Patrick Marber’s plays have won Evening Standard, Olivier, Time Out, New York and London Critics’ Circle and Writers’ Guild Awards.

Free Prize Draw - Win Tickets to The Red Lion including Post Show Talk with Gary Lineker

We're offering one lucky winner a pair of tickets to see The Red Lion at Trafalgar Studios, London on Monday 20 November 2017 at 7.45pm followed by a Post Show Talk Q & A with Gary Lineker plus a free Programme.

To enter simply email your name and address to info@live.org by 5pm on Friday 10 November 2017.

One winner will be chosen at random and contacted on Monday 13 November 2017. Prize does not include transport or any other associated costs.

The reviews are in...

'A play of no halves but, at 95 minute-long, The Red Lion doesn't put a foot wrong. Perfectly pitched, premier league turns from its cast of three and a faultless script from Patrick Marber. A winner.'
★★★★★ Stage Review

'Patrick Marber's play set in the world of non-league football is a gritty, funny, heartbreaking gem...premier league performances'
★★★★★ Radio Times

'a gritty and truthful depiction of not just football, but of British culture and the complicated relationships between men in our society'
★★★★★ Broadway World

'Don’t miss this one, superlative performances, high emotion and the determination that, even with 90 minutes fast approaching, it’s still all to play for: Total Theatre!!'
★★★★★ IthankyouTheatre

'you will be sick as a parrot if you score an own goal by missing this absolute sitter of a production delivered by a cast straight out of the Premier League.'
★★★★★ London Theatre 1

'The actors brilliantly sustain the tense pace, creating a gripping climax of emotions amid the brutality of honesty and the vehemence of lions.'
★★★★★ The Up Coming

'Beautiful look at tainted game is a title contender... Football is not a matter of life and death – it’s more important than that’, said Bill Shankly memorably and Marber’s play is the perfect embodiment of that sentiment.'
★★★★ London Evening Standard

'It’s a hard-hitting and humorous glimpse into how three men are united not only by their love of football, but also by their need for change. It’s a highlight of Marber’s work this year, and director Max Roberts shoots and scores.'
★★★★ London Theatre

'beautifully fluent, pointed and often profound...it's much more than a play about football; it aspires to describe the difficulties of life itself'
★★★★ What's On Stage

'Whether you see The Red Lion as a play about the state of Britain, or as a play about Football, you’ll see the deep character study which Marber has undertaken.  It’s beautifully structured in the way it cuts from one Saturday to the next, with rip-roaring comedy giving way to a more moving and tender narrative.'
★★★★ Theatre Weekly

“Marber’s dialogue fizzes and dances with sharp exchanges and some hilarious moments”
★★★★ thespyinthestalls.com

Watch the trailer for The Red Lion

The Red Lion - From the Rehearsal Room by Director Max Roberts

"I'm enjoying this rehearsal not only because I love the play but because it's a beautifully embroidered narrative that fuses a rugged masculinity of bruising betrayal with soft and tender moments of pathos.  The language is lyrical and subtly layered yet at the same time the text is imbedded with steely, salty, laugh out loud humour.  We also have three fantastic actors to deliver it - watching Stephen Tompkinson, Dean Bone and the lovely Johnny Bowler is just a sheer joy."

Find out what The Red Lion director Max Roberts had to say when he shared his thoughts from the rehearsal room earlier this year ahead of the show's original run at Live Theatre in April/May 2017.

The Red Lion at London's Trafalgar Studios, SW1

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  • Arts Council England
  • Community Foundation
  • European Regional Development Fund
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