The playwright has taken the cast of his forthcoming production of Up 'n' Under, including Abi Titmuss, on a nostalgic trip back to the rugby club which inspired him to write the play.

The cast, which also features former Gladiator James Crossley, Emmerdale actor Lewis Linford and film and television actor William Ilkley, enjoyed a visit to Upton Amateur Rugby League Football Club in the West Yorkshire village as part of their rehearsals.

Abi Titmuss, who will play Hazel, said: "It's been brilliant to come here and be in the actual place that inspired John to write Up 'n' Under. It's really given me a taste of amateur rugby league and what it's all about. There is a great atmosphere at the club, it's a real social hub, but it's obvious that rugby league is a serious business – it means a lot and rightly so."

Former teacher John Godber, who grew up and later taught in Upton, suggested writing a play about rugby league when he was interviewed for the job of Hull Truck Theatre's artistic director.

In 1984, Up 'n' Under was staged for the first time at Hull Truck's Spring Street venue and attracted huge audiences.

A year later it won an Olivier Award and in 1998 it was made into a hit film starring Neil Morrissey and Samantha Janus.

This 25th anniversary production will be staged at Hull Truck Theatre from October 8 to 31.

John Godber said: "This is the first place I ever saw rugby played and I felt we needed to come back here and see the game at grassroots level. Had I not been exposed to rugby here then I wouldn't have written Up 'n' Under in Hull and Hull Truck wouldn't have become an Olivier Award-winning company. You could argue it all started here."