Headgate Theatre Productions

The Invincibles by Amanda Whittington

Director – Paul T Davies

Paul says – Who ever thought I would find a football story so exciting!   The way the stories interweave is intriguing, and the staging opportunities are tremendous.  All we need now is an Invincible cast!

Assistant to Director – Tim Young

Production Champion – tbc

Production Week: Cast will need to be available for the full week commencing 19^th April 2026.  Evening performances from Wednesday 22nd – Saturday 25^th April, with a matinee on Saturday.

Rehearsals:

Casting

Characters in 2023

Maya- Libby Hendry
Sammy- Natalie Patterson
Ida Shepherd, Podcaster- Kate Cavill
Sophie Jones, Podcaster- Lucia Fox
Commentator- Louise Harris

Characters in 1917

Soldier- Alex Enachi
Gladys Fairman- Charlie Scott Haynes
Ada Fairman- Georgie Ward
James Fairman- Chris Austin
Hannah Fairman- Sasha Halls
Nell Marchant- Tia Winterbottom
Guy Burney- Jonathan Tann
Ed “Cholley” Chollerton- Chris Smith
Maud Reader- Lily Skeggs
Trixie Peters- Emily Baldock
Brian Baden- Tim Young

Creative and Technical Support

Director – Paul T Davies
Assistant to Director – Tim Young
Football Coach – Mike Kennedy
Costume Co-Ordinator – Isobel Sullivan
Stage Manager – Annastasia Ward
Asst Stage Manager – Jo Pickering
Lighting Design – Mike Sullivan
Lighting Operator – tbc
Sound Design – Harvey Penfold (tbc)
Podcast Design – John Worland
Sound Operator – tbc

For sound and light operators:

We are looking for expressions of interest from those wanting to develop their skills further with the support of the existing team.

We still need volunteers to help with the following roles:

• Rehearsal prompt
• Props sourcing
• Set build/dressing
• Marketing/social media/programme design/ exhibition co-ordinator

The Invincibles Synopsis

Discover the Stirling Ladies, a football team created in 1917 when men were away fighting in World War One. They became known as the Dagenham Invincibles, they never lost a game. But when peace was restored, the factory girls had to hand in their boots, and their story faded into obscurity.

Weaving through the play is Maya, following England’s progress in the 2023 Women’s World Cup. They had won the Euros the previous year, can they repeat that success? But Maya, an academy footballer, has been let go due to injury, and as she awaits the fate of the football team and her exam results, she fears she may never play again.

Skilfully weaving two time zones together, Whittington brings both sets of Lionesses to life, and the play is strong call out to anyone who has been told they cannot do or achieve anything, we can all be invincible.

Character Descriptions and Skills