Can you talk about the idea behind Through It All Together?

Through It All Together came about when two separate ideas I’d been sitting on began to merge. I’d wanted to write about dementia for a while, but hadn’t yet found the right way in. Then, in 2022, when Leeds United sacked Marcelo Bielsa, I was devastated. I knew I wanted to mark that period in some way as it was such a defining moment for me and so many other fans. Over time, the two ideas started to intertwine, and I saw a way to explore how football can genuinely impact people’s lives, especially those going through challenging periods.

What inspired you to write this story?

There are a lot of stories about dementia that focus only on the decline, the hardship. And while those aspects are real, I wanted to show a more nuanced picture. I’ve seen first-hand, both through a close family member and through work on an arts project in a dementia care home, that it’s possible to live well with dementia.

However I haven’t sugar-coated it either. The play shows the real challenges families face. To get this balance right I worked closely with the brilliant Nicky Taylor, Theatre and Dementia Research Associate at Leeds Playhouse, to ensure we consulted people living with dementia at every stage of the process. This was incredibly important and I was genuinely inspired by many of our conversations and I took away from our meetings the incredible power of love to overcome.

And as for the Leeds United element, that era under Bielsa was magic. I knew I’d look back on it for the rest of my life and in many ways this play is a love letter; to Bielsa, to that team, and to what they meant to so many of us.

Why did you choose Leeds United & Marcelo Bielsa, in particular, as the backdrop to the story?

Leeds United is in my blood. I was born in the city, and some of my earliest memories are wrapped up in Leeds Untied – watching Tony Yeboah’s wonder goal against Liverpool in a pub in Roscommon, seeing us beat Arsenal at Highbury and watching us in the Champions League. I thought that this is how it would always be – that we would always be a club at the top of the Premier League. And then came sixteen long years of pain, chaos, and disappointment, punctuated by the odd beautiful moment (thanks, Jermaine Beckford).

Then Bielsa arrived, and something changed. Supporting Leeds became joyful again. It was beautiful. And that whole journey under Bielsa, the hope, the heartbreak, the twists map perfectly onto a classic story arc. There were triumphs, turning points, false victories, false defeats and ultimately a sad ending. It felt like the perfect backdrop to tell a deeply human story – one that could echo, contrast with, and be lifted by the drama of that era.

Football, and the people who love it, have always fascinated me. I’ve written about it in all of my Red Ladder plays; The Life and Soul, The Parting Glass and Connected. The tribalism, the emotional release, the strange rituals of it all. Leeds United captures those extremes like few other clubs, making it a rich setting for a story about memory, identity, and connection.

Can you tell us a bit about your writing process?

It’s changed a lot since I became a dad! I used to be up at 6:30 every weekday, writing for an hour or two before turning my phone on or checking my email. But like all phases of life, it passed, though I know I will have time again in the future to get back into good habits.

But right now, I just accept that I’ve got to be more flexible about it, grabbing time when and where I can. I’m often up before 6:30 these days but am more likely to be changing a nappy than writing! So I now binge write when I can, often when Louis is asleep or with family etc. It’s definitely harder to stay focused when he’s around… the temptation to cuddle him can be too strong!

Why should someone who doesn’t like football or Leeds United come to see your show?

Because it’s not really about football. It’s about a family navigating life, loss, and love – something we can all relate to. Football is part of the characters’ lives, but it’s not the story.
The play’s full of light-hearted moments, emotional punches, and hopefully, lots that feels familiar no matter who you are or what team you support. It’s a human story first and foremost. Football is just one of the threads that ties it together.

Why do you think sport can help raise awareness & understanding of dementia?

Sport is a huge part of many people’s lives and it taps into something tribal, communal and deeply human. For a lot of people, their fellow fans are like extended family. You might see someone at Elland Road 23 times a season (hopefully 19 next season) which is more than you might see your own relatives.

Because of that, sports clubs have become real cornerstones in their communities. They have the power to reach people who might never engage with traditional services or messaging around dementia. So when a club takes a stand or tells a story, people listen. That platform can be powerful and it can open up conversations that might not happen otherwise.

What do you hope people take away from watching the play?

That dementia doesn’t mean life is over. For some, it can even open new doors. I hope people leave the theatre feeling a little more connected to their own families, to the people around them and a bit more educated on dementia.

And maybe, just maybe, if they support another team… they’ll see the light and convert to Leeds United!

But mostly, I hope they’ve been moved by a story that’s full of humour, heart, and hope.

Through It All Together is on at Leeds Playhouse from 23rd June to 19th July