Lead actor Dean Logan talks upcoming West End transfer of ‘Gerry & Sewell’: “Geordies always manage to see the light at the end of the tunnel”

Following several successful runs in the fringe and regional circuits, the show will debut in the West End for the new year, playing at the Aldwych Theatre for a strictly limited run in mid-January. Guillermo Nazara chats with one of its stars to learn more about this inspiring journey and what makes it purely belter.

From a pub theatre performance to a London transfer in a major West End venue. How does it feel to be part of such a massive accomplishment?

I knew we had something special with this show from the very beginning. The energy and buzz it brought to the audience was fantastic. Jamie and the whole team have created such a brilliant piece of theatre and it has been so amazing to bring the audiences who have followed us from the beginning on the journey with us. Each time we have performed it, whether it be at Laurel’s, Live Theatre, or Theatre Royal, we have taken the audience on a bonkers, raucous, heartful story brimming with North East passion, and it’s something you can certainly feel when you’re on stage. I feel truly privileged to be a part of such a massive accomplishment. It’s been a true team effort.

The show’s premise revolves around small people with big dreams, which has also been the production’s journey. As a performer, do you feel you’ve gone through a similar experience?

Without a doubt. Growing up in Newcastle, I always had the dream of being an actor, but it is never an easy path to be on. You have to be resilient and keep your head up high throughout all the knock backs. I set myself a goal to play at The National by the time I was 30, and if that didn’t come off, then maybe I would try and shift my focus elsewhere. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, but I still had that dream mentality and burning desire to act. Thankfully I didn’t give up and now get the opportunity to play in the West End, which is another amazing dream of mine. Just like Gabrielle says “Dreams can come true”.

What compelled you to portray this character in the first place?

I first met Jamie nearly 10 years ago, and as a fellow Geordie, of course the movie Purely Belter came up in conversation. As a huge fan of this Geordie cult classic, it was instantly relatable to me — coming from a working class background myself and always wanting to try and reach for that next opportunity to do better. I went to know lots of people similar to Gerry and the struggles we all face and how we deal with them in various ways.

I mentioned to Jamie how if the chance ever did arise I would love the opportunity to play Geery onstage. Manifesting this vision was well worth the wait, and a few years later, I was fortunate to have this opportunity at Laurels Theatre, which he was opening at the time and wanted it for his main in-house production.

The play is based on a book, which has also been adapted into a cult film. Have any of these previous versions influenced your approach to the role at all?

Having seen the film, read the book, and also seen a previous stage adaptation (which are all fantastic in their own ways), it did give me a flavour of how to approach Gerry, but for me personally, it’s a role I have always wanted to play if I had the opportunity. I wanted to put my own stamp on it and be able to draw from my own experiences. Also, working with such a great cast throughout the process has influenced my approach to the role. For example, when we took it to the Theatre Royal and more cast were introduced, I would say I found I was playing more of the family hardships and darker side to Gerry as well as the cunning fox-like side of his character.

What has the process of developing your character been like?

I have loved being able to develop the character of Gerry which each new performance venue and cast I have worked with. The essence and heart of him has always remained at the core of it, but he has certainly grown over the time I have played him (I guess having two boys myself during that time has helped), and I have been able to find a deeper side to Gerry, which will only continue to grow as we move throughout this next journey.

The show has enjoyed several runs in different spaces, from a pub to a major regional theatre. Have either the play or your portrayal evolved in any way during that time?

It certainly has! When we first started at Laurels the audience were practically on top of us (even on the staging area on some nights as it was that full). So although the essence of Gerry has remained the same I have had to learn to adapt to each space as the show has grown in order to still get across the emotional rollercoaster Gerry (and the show) takes the audience on whilst keeping my performance truthful to the text.

What challenges have you faced with this performance?

Taking the show to London always comes with various challenges. When you take a show away from home, there will always be some people that think it might not be able to work, so we want to prove them wrong. Just because we’re a small city in the UK doesn’t mean out stories don’t deserve to be told, and this is certainly one I am proud to tell. Yes, we might have to take out a couple of Geordie references here and there, but if Billy Elliott and The Pitmen Painters can achieve success in the big city, then I have every faith we will too.

The show delivers an inspiring message of resilience and self-belief. However, are there any other additional readings to it?

Hope! A lot of hope! Gerry & Sewell bottle this up to the brim to keep their dream alive. If they didn’t have it, then their mission would be hard to carry on throughout their various setbacks. It’s full of light and shade, which is very similar to being a Newcastle fan, but the one thing we do have week in, week out when watching them play is HOPE!

What’s your connection to the show’s narrative on a personal level?

As a Geordie (especially following Newcastle United), we always have big dreams — myself included. Like Gerry, it’s not always a straight and easy path to fulfill that dream. Plenty of ups and downs along the way, but always being headstrong and keeping going through the times where all hope might seem lost. Geordies always manage to see the light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how long that tunnel might be.

Are there any highlights in the show you’d like to flag?

We start the show with an absolute bang! It hooks the audience in from the very beginning and sets the tone of what can be expected for the next 2 hours.

Why come see Gerry & Sewell?

We all have a dreams, big or small. Gerry & Sewell takes the audience on a journey (football fan or not) to show them that whatever your dream is to go and chase it. There will be laughter, heartache, music, and a puppet dog (think War Horse but from Newcastle). I want them to come out feeling like they have been through a roller coaster of emotions throughout the story but most of all I want them to feel the THUNDER!!!

It’s a story full of heart that resonates with people from any background. It’s belter! PURELY BELTER!

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Production pictures credit to Von Fox Promotions.

Gerry & Sewell plays at London’s Aldwych Theatre from 13 to 24 January. Tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara