How does a locally-owned club compete against oligarchs and sovereign wealth funds?
When a dubious foreign entity launches a hostile takeover, United’s season unravels. Now they've got one last chance to salvage a city's pride...Can a rag-tag bunch of has-beens and never-wozzas—dispel despair and self-doubt long enough—to conjure up a victory with their backs against the wall?The 38ᵗʰ Match is a sharp satirical dramedy, that draws across musical styles from hip-hop to classic songbook, all inspired by the sounds of the terraces. Get ready for a high-energy roller coaster with an ending you won't see coming.
Play the demos
Meet the development team
Derek Downham—Musical Director
Derek is an award-winning musician, producer, and indie cult icon. He’s an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and musicologist whose production is characterized by a rootsy vibe for the digital age. His wide-ranging musical tastes provide the perfect complement to the show’s multi-genre pop sound. Just some of the artists Derek’s played and recorded with include Don Felder (of The Eagles), Alex Lifeson (of Rush), James Burton, Gord Downie, Albert Lee, Jeff Healey, Serena Ryder, Broken Social Scene, Ron Sexsmith, Lights, and Holy F*ck.
Michael Moss—Book and Lyrics
Michael is an award-winning creative director and emerging playwright. He began his career producing videos for UK record companies, before working for multinational and local agencies in Canada and internationally, winning awards in London, New York, and Toronto. His play, The Killers was shortlisted for the 2020 Kenneth Branagh Award for New Drama Writing. While his play The Trillionaire was met with acclaim at the 2022 Hamilton Fringe. Michael studied English & Drama at Goldsmiths College, London.
Mike Blanchard—Composer
Mike spent his formative years playing guitar in Kitchener-Waterloo bands including The Rhinos with Robert Carli and Danny Michel. He wrote many of the tracks on the band’s two albums Fishing in the Fountain of Youth and Flying. During The Rhinos heyday, he toured Canada 14 times. Mike also co-composed the soundtrack and music for Vancouver regional weekly TV variety show Zero Avenue, together with Carli. He was awarded a VideoFACT grant for the composition of Jackadandy Babbit.
Tristan Waley—Composer
Tristan is a lyrical jazz pianist who has composed film scores for over a decade. He has studied with some of Canada’s leading jazz educators and musicians including Frank Falco (York University Music Program), Mark Eisenman (York University Music Program), Amanda Tosoff (Humber Music Program). Ruben Vazquez (Royal Conservatory of Music). Composer and music credits for documentary, film and online content include Kingdom (2018), The Discovered Series (2018) All That Lives (2015), Peripatetic (2014), Lab Studio Design (2014) Into the Light (2013), and Composure (2006).
