WWG Gurtmania Tobacco Factory Theatres Review

Review: WWG: Gurtmania at Tobacco Factory Theatres

15/10/2026 editorial

A hilarious body slam of a show

Gurt Productions are back with a brilliant show bursting at the spandex. Instead of fighting ghouls and things that go bump in the night, the only bumping going on here is on the wrestling mat.

WWG: Gurtmania is a clever WWE wrestling parody that is face-achingly funny, with humour that barely lets up for a moment. The language of the wrestling world lends itself perfectly to innuendos which come thick and fast.

It’s a very Bristol show as are the founders of Gurt Productions – Casey Lloyd, Toby George and Benj Foster. The city plays a big part in the storyline with the evening’s show filled with local references from City and Rovers to Thatchers and ‘mint’ and the Bearpit.

Wrestling itself is very theatrical, making it the perfect sporting entertainment to transition to the stage .

Characters, costumes and choreography, shared stories, the behind the scenes dramas and mythology passed down to the next generations – it might sound familiarly theatrical, but it’s also all wrestling.

Photography: Ed Felton

Due to the theatre auditorium being in the round, we get the perfect wrestling ring between the four pillars on the stage. We’re watching theatre and cheering on actors, but also watching the theatricality of sport.

Holly Coulson’s set is simple and clever with all the drama saved for the costumes. Casey Lloyd’s golden number dazzles, whilst Benj Foster’s and Toby George’s are suitably humorous to match their characters.

Nancy Strahan’s lighting is fabulous. It enhances the on-stage drama during confrontation, giving us the power dynamics of the moment. It also removes all distraction come the end, so there is all audience focus on the story resolution.

Gurt Angle is the reigning WWG champ. The younger Brad Habits is attempting to make his way to the top of the wrestling entertainment world. Gurt Angle initially shows him the ropes, but Habit’s ambition and naivety soon leads him into the path of the mythical and murderous terror The Silent Night. What initially appears to be a scare story for young wrestlers becomes very real.

A random audience member is selected to play the part of a former WWG wrestler who has allegedly been killed in the ring by The Silent Knight. Wednesday evening’s good-natured sport of an audience member coupled with Holly Coulson’s costume had a lot of Star Wars Force Ghost energy.

The show is an exploration of the relationships between men. It examines the changing and shifting dynamics of friendship and how these are affected by ambition, power, confidence, age, the ability to stand your ground and say no and ultimately find your place in the community you inhabit.

It’s interesting to see how the high drama on stage between the characters easily manipulates the entire audience when subverting expectations. We are too easily persuaded into deciding who is the hero or the villain.

The show is filled with physical on-stage wrestling – basically it’s exactly the same as WWE’s carefully choreographed movement. The cast handle the movement brilliantly, even carrying out bodyslams.

You don’t need to really know that much about WWE to love this show. You could be well-versed in WWE and enjoy this show. If you grew up with little old ladies cheering on Big Daddy vs. Giant Haystacks and that’s it, you will enjoy this show. If you only know the And His Name Is John Cena meme, you will enjoy this show. If you don’t know anything at all about wrestling, you will still enjoy this show.

Gurt Productions have left the comfort zone of their most haunted ghost adventures hit. They’ve proven that they are a theatre company that can take our pop culture icons and weave them into ‘on and off stage’ comedies featuring heartwarming bromances and a sense of belonging.

WWG: Gurtmania will be at Tobacco Factory Theatres from 14 – 17 October 2026

For more information or to book, visit: https://tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/wwg-gurtmania/

Follow Gurt Productions on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gurtprods/

Cast and Creatives
Gurt Angle – Benj Foster
The Silent Knight – Toby George
Brad Habits – Casey Lloyd
Understudy and R&D Performer – Talek Lord

Stage Manager and Operator – Emma Gonzales
Producer – Pippa Thornton
Director – Harry Gould
Associate Director – Eleanor Hope-Jones
Assistant Director – Arthur Shelley
Dramaturg – Georgia Casimir
Set and Costume Designer – Holly Coulson
Sound Designer – Jack Orozco Morrison
Lighting Designer – Nancy Strahan
Fight Coordinator – Annie Mackenzie