Footballers-turned-WW1 Soldiers Remembered in New Play THE GREATER GAME

Michael Head's new play THE GREATER GAME tells the fascinating true story of the 41 men who swapped the football fields of London for the battlefields of the Somme in 1916. East London football club Leyton Orient, then known as Clapton Orient, was the first team to sign up its players, staff and supporters to fight in the Great War. Forty-one men volunteered in all. Three of them never returned.

Based on the book 'They Took The Lead' by Stephen Jenkins, this new play of love, friendship and loss tells both sides of the story, from the flag-waving patriotism to the conscientious objectors. It runs at Southwark Playhouse 15 September-15 October.

Bermondsey-born Playwright Michael Head swapped the boxing ring for performing when in his early teens. He trained at the Miskin Theatre and the London School Of Musical Theatre. Plays include Worth A Flutter (Old Red Lion). He wrote the music, lyrics and book to comedy musical Sword and the Dope (Kings Head and transfer to Greenwich Playhouse).

Director Tilly Vosburgh trained at the Anna Scher Theatre and has worked as an actress since childhood, most recently in Jo Brand's Damned, Our Girl, Vera, and Call The Midwife. She directed A Better Woman by Simon Mendes da Costa at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, Harry Is Asking by Katarina Rodda, The Man from Clare by Jaki McCarrick, and New Year's Date by Simon Mendes da Costa (all at the Omnibus Theatre). She also directed Welcome to Thebes by Moira Buffini (Bernie Grant Arts Centre), Ting Tang Mine by Nick Darke (Courtyard) and Burying Your Brother In The Pavement by Jack Thorne (Jasmine Teh Theatre). She was a writer on Radio 4's Late with Paul Merton, and her short film Domestic Flight played at numerous festivals including Palm Springs and LIFF. ?

The production is presented by LAPA sponsored by The Royal British Legion in association with The PFA, Stephen Jenkins and Peter Kitchen.

Casting and creative details are to be announced.