Actors Take Sides in Oasis vs. Blur Play

The famed 1995 Britpop showdown between Oasis and Blur has been brought to life in a new play, "The Battle," where the cast enthusiastically takes sides. Actors portraying Liam and Noel Gallagher, like George Usher, express their allegiance to Oasis, with Usher calling it a "dream" role.

Conversely, Oscar Lloyd, playing Blur's Damon Albarn, champions his band, citing their reinvention and Albarn's musical genius. The play, now open at Birmingham Rep, dramatizes the chart race that climaxed the bands' intense rivalry, a period that split fans and dominated media attention.

Writer John Niven, who experienced the era firsthand, explains the rapid escalation of animosity, from personal jabs to the deliberate scheduling of single releases to compete for the number one spot.

The play also addresses the press's depiction of the battle as a working-class vs. middle-class conflict, a narrative that propelled the story into mainstream news, including a memorable BBC TV report.

Lead actors like Matthew Horne, who plays Blur's label boss, recall the period as a formative time that solidified his passion for music and fostered a sense of belonging.

The production aims to transport audiences back to the 90s, emphasizing the era's unique style and a perceived freedom absent in today's heavily monitored social media landscape. This distinction is a recurring theme among the cast.

Many attendees, some wearing band T-shirts, feel nostalgic, while the play also attracts a new generation. Despite Blur winning the 1995 chart battle with "Country House," Oasis achieved greater long-term success with "(What's The Story) Morning Glory?".

Blur and Oasis will be at Birmingham Rep until March 7 and at Manchester Opera House from March 17-21.