Shobna Gulati & Reece Dinsdale rehearse for the world premiere of Through It All Together

Leeds Playhouse has released rehearsal images of Shobna Gulati and Reece Dinsdale as they prepare to star in the world premiere of Through It All Together, a new play by writer and life-long Leeds United supporter Chris O’Connor.

The production is a love letter to former Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa and captures the emotional 'ups and downs' of the beautiful game and the bond that unites families and fans. The production runs in the Courtyard Theatre at Leeds Playhouse from 23 June to 19 July.

Commissioned and developed by Leeds Playhouse, Through It All Together tells the heartwarming story of an ordinary Yorkshire family living with a dementia diagnosis, celebrating their love for Leeds United and for one another.

This play underscores the Playhouse’s commitment to creating professional work with and for people living with dementia, rooted in lived experience, and accessible to the communities it serves. The production has been developed in close collaboration with members of Leeds’ Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project (DEEP), co-run by Leeds Playhouse and Dementia Friendly Leeds.

Director Gitika Buttoo has been delving deep in the rehearsal room with the company to explore the true connection between family, friends and the love of the game during Biesla’s transformative years at the club.

Gitika said: “We are having an incredible time in rehearsals working on Chris O’Connor’s beautiful and passionate production. The whole company are unbelievably skilled at what they do and bring so much heart and experience to the process. They are having a monumental impact on the creation of the show.”

Shobna Gulati is a celebrated actor and presenter who has captivated audiences with their versatile performances across television, film and theatre. Shobna is best known for iconic roles such as Anita in Victoria Wood's beloved sitcom Dinnerladies and Sunita Alahan in Coronation Street. Shobna also portrayed Mari Hoff in the UK tour of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and Ray in the West End production of Everybody's Talking About Jamie.

Reece Dinsdale is a distinguished actor and director with an impressive portfolio spanning television, theatre and film. He starred in the inaugural production, Wild Oats, at West Yorkshire Playhouse and went on to star in Alan Bennett’s autobiographical piece Untold Stories, Richard III, and as Halvard Solness in an updated version of Henrik Ibsen's (the fall of) The Master Builder. He is known for playing Joe McIntyre in Coronation Street and Paul Ashdale in Emmerdale. Reece has starred in many high profile TV dramas including Threads, Jim Henson's Storyteller (both BAFTA award winning), Take Me Home, Spooks, Life On Mars, Conviction, and Silent Witness.

Joining Reece and Shobna on stage will be Bradford’s Natalie Davies (Parveen in Eaten by Lions; Ashley in Hullraisers, Channel 4; Tabani in The Full Monty, Disney+); Leeds’ Dean Smith, who appeared in Waterloo Road and Last Tango in Halifax and is also a presenter on The Square Ball, a Leeds United fanzine, blog, podcast, and livestream series), and Everal A Walsh, who recently starred in the Olivier nominated Animal Farm at Leeds Playhouse.

Set in Yorkshire, the play follows Howard and Sue, an ordinary couple with an extraordinary passion for Leeds United, as they navigate living with dementia. As the team welcomes a new manager in Marcelo Bielsa, hope is reignited not just for promotion, but for personal renewal. Amid misplaced teabags, a legendary chilli recipe, and the dream of returning to the Premier League after 16 long years, the story unfolds as a moving tribute to resilience, stubborn independence, and glorious failure.

Leeds Playhouse offers a variety of creative activities for people living with dementia, including Our Time sessions, Peer Support sessions in collaboration with the Peer Support Service and cultural organisations across the city, and its groundbreaking Dementia Friendly performances.

The Playhouse's innovative approach has earned national recognition, receiving awards from the Alzheimer’s Society and the National Dementia Care Awards. Through It All Together further demonstrates the Playhouse’s dedication to creating professional work centred on people living with dementia, rooted in lived experiences, and accessible to the communities it serves.

The creative team for Through It All Together is completed by Set & Costume Designer Amanda Stoodley; Lighting Designer Jason Taylor; Sound Designer & Composer Annie May Fletcher; Movement Director Neil Bettles; Casting Director Lucy Casson CDG; and Theatre & Dementia Consultant Dr Nicky Taylor.

Through It All Together is sponsored by JM Glendinning, as Associate Production Sponsor.