BBC Look North’s Jeff Brown writes Sunderland AFC play to be performed by Wearside theatre company

Sunderland stars: From L-R: Jeff Brown, David Corner and Paul Dunn. Photo by Vanessa Karon.

BBC Look North presenter Jeff Brown has written a play about ex-Sunderland AFC player David Corner, which will be performed by a Wearside theatre company.

The sports journalist, from Sunderland, wrote the play called Cornered, which is based around the former defender and the 1985 Milk Cup final at Wembley against Norwich City.

Sunderland-based theatre company Cranked Anvil will put on the one act play around the region next month alongside another play – Wise Men Say.

Director of the company, Paul Dunn, 42, said: “The match is such a memorable thing. It’s not just about the football, it also talks about Davie’s life since then. It tells his story.”

Vanessa Karon, 40, producer at Cranked Anvil, added: “There is a twist at the end that you must come along to see as things could have been very different.”

The second play, Wise Men Say, was written by Sunderland-born Paul Dunn, to highlight the Stadium of Light being in the city for 20 years.

The play’s name comes from Black Cat’s fan favourite Elvis Presley’s song Can’t Help Falling in Love.

Rehearsal: From L-R: Thomas Potts and Paul Dunn rehearsing the play Wise Men Say. Photo by: Vanessa Karon.

Mr Dunn, who wrote the play, said: “The title came from the famous song that we sing on the terraces and it touches towards the fact that the characters in my play are such die-hard fans. It’s a theme throughout the play.

“It’s an unashamed celebration – it’s the ups and downs of following and supporting Sunderland but it also follows the ups and downs of family life.

“Even though the play as a whole is quite uplifting and funny, there’s a bit of tragedy in there.”

Both plays will feature at the Customs House, in South Shields, as well as at Durham’s Gala Theatre, the Washington Arts Centre and the Peacock pub, which used to be the Londonderry, in Sunderland city centre, throughout September.

For more information on dates and to purchase tickets go to the Cranked Anvil website.

Cranked Anvil produce theatre, film and radio in the North East and across the country.

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