A new musical that boldly combines professional wrestling with musical theatre is set to make its London debut in February 2026. “Babyface Wrestling Musical,” created by Seiriol Davies, tells the story of best friends Gruff and Rezi from Rhyl, Wales, as they navigate the sweaty, hyper-charged world of professional wrestling.
The production features an 11-strong cast of musical theatre performers and professional wrestlers, including James Ifan from “Kinky Boots,” Rex Hayes from “Ted Lasso,” Genesis Lynea from “Six The Musical,” and Iestyn Arwel from “Burn, Burn, Burn.”
The show will be performed in an actual wrestling ring, complete with body slams, glitter, and high-energy musical numbers. This innovative show has been described as a rags-to-spandex story exploring the concept of persona in the wrestling industry.
The plot follows Gruff, a super-serious poet who reluctantly enters wrestling to follow his late grandfather Rhyl Dryll’s path and support his grandmother financially. Meanwhile, his friend Rezi pursues her dream of becoming the first female wrestling world champion. Their friendship faces challenges as they grapple with community needs versus the urge to win in a polarized industry.
After three years in development, the musical will present work-in-progress performances at Storyhouse in Chester on February 11, 2026, as part of the Storyhouse Queer Festival, followed by its London premiere at Pleasance on February 13. Davies, whose previous work includes the critically acclaimed How to Win Against History, has received multiple awards for his innovative approach to musical theatre. These will be the first ticketed performances available to the public.
Producer Jafar Iqbal, partnering with PW Productions, describes the show as a “laugh-out-loud thrill ride with blood, sweat, tears, and glitter.” The production promises an electrifying atmosphere where audience members might witness some theatrical casualties all in the name of entertainment. The production contains explicit language and sexual references, making it suitable for audiences 16 and older.
Tickets for the Chester performance are priced at £13.50 for members, £15 for non-members, and £10 for Young Storyhouse cardholders.
The London venue will offer a special “splash zone” for audience members who want to experience the action up close.
Booking alerts are available through West End websites for those wanting to secure tickets early.
