A hit North East play about WW1 women footballers and munitionettes is to return early next year. Wisecrack Productions’ Jane Harker said: “We are delighted to be bringing ‘Wor Bella’ back. It is a terrific story about forgotten, heroic women. Demand is incredible. This will be the third time in only five years it has been produced.”

‘Wor Bella’ premiered in 2022 and subsequently sold out nine venues in the North East and London before transferring to Newcastle Theatre Royal in 2025. The play received standing ovations after every performance and now plans are in place to tour the region this coming March to celebrate International Women’s Month.

Jane continued…“Set in 1918 during WW1 ‘Wor Bella’ is a timeless story about women’s struggles, which more than 100 years later is still relevant. Hundreds of football teams were formed nationally and dozens in the North East. We want each new generation to know about these fantastic, heroic working class women. This is their incredible story. I can’t think of a more appropriate story to tell during International Women’s Month.”

The play is told from the viewpoint of “Wor” Bella Reay, the Blyth Spartans centre forward who in an 18 month period scored an incredible 133 goals in 30 matches. They achieved cup glory in 1918 and Bella went on to represent England.

Jane added: “Bella Reay has been described as ‘the Alan Shearer of her day’ – a fitting accolade as the former Newcastle and England star makes a to-camera cameo in the play. He’s very supportive.”

Wor Bella was written by Ed Waugh, who also includes the hit shows ‘The Cramlington Train Wreckers’, ‘Carrying David’ and ‘Hadaway Harry’ in his extensive canon of work.

‘WOR BELLA’ tour dates 2027

March 3, Hexham Queen’s Hall

March 4 & 5, Phoenix Theatre, Blyth

March 7, Glasshouse Gateshead

March 9, The Tullie, Carlisle

March 10, Witham, Barnard Castle

March 11, Bishop Auckland Town Hall

March 12, Gosforth Civic Theatre

March 13, Westovian Theatre, South Shields

For further details and to book tickets visit the venue websites or visit www.worbella.co.uk

Alikivi September 2026