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Dear England
The Lowry
30th May to 29th June
*** A victorious win for Dear England ***
*** Gwilym Lee is match ready playing Gareth Southgate ***
*** Dear England scores in the back of the net and wins with this biopic football adventure ***
***A great goal for James Graham’s Dear England***
The beautiful game deserves a beautiful five stars ***** from Manchester Theatrical
Dear England scores in the back of the net and wins with this biopic football adventure. I’m not gonn’a lie, football ain’t my thing! So a play about football wouldn’t normally be high on my priority list of things to see. However, after some great runs at The National Theatre and West End, as well as several screening at cinemas, I felt I had to give it go, and Wow what an unexpected triumph. The writer James Graham brings the drama of the football pitch to the stage during a time when a change in direction was needed for the England squad. He explores how Gareth Southgate creates a vision and with the help of sports psychologist Pippa Grange, breaks down what’s gone wrong in the past and how they can move past this in a new direction. James also gives space and time to explore some of footballs bigger demons such as racism and toxic masculinity. Essentially this is a story about relationships and teamwork, aiming to be the best but understanding that nobody is perfect.
Gwilym Lee is match ready playing Gareth Southgate. Gwilym tackles the role of the England manager with skilful expertise. He uses Southgate mannerisms and gestures without it becoming too much like a caricature. The story follows Southgate’s tenureship of the England men’s football team. Gareth is haunted by his missed penalty during the 1996 game but he faces those demons, but can he really turn around England’s ever fading dreams of winning? Pippa Grange was brought to the team as a sports psychologist. It was with her expertise and Southgate’s experience that took the England team to new highs not seen since the 1966 glory years. Pippa unravels the team’s mental health and team psyche, and Liz White portrayal of Pippa is superb and emotive.
After a plateful of orange quarters at half time (and a gin and tonic) we find a pacier second half. We feel the full tension of the penalty shoot outs, as we are lead through the games of Italy 2020 and Qatar 2022. The tension and tears from the audience were real.
The set is mainly a large digital screen that wraps across the stage showing key movement as well as images of countries and arenas the team is playing in. The rest of the staging is simple, with only stage revolve, chairs and several lockers with players shirts on. This clean, clinical look leaves the stage free to really focus on the wonderful acting this cast gives. A halo lighting system hangs above the stage giving the feeling that you are in a stadium or maybe a place of worship where gods walk. The music with punctuates throughout the performance is full of songs easily associated as footballing anthems. All of these aspects really enhance what’s happening on stage and brings the production to life.
A great goal for James Graham’s Dear England for those that love football, you will love and know all the players which are wonderfully brought to life by this talented cast. For those like me who don’t follow as closely, you can leave your gym kit at home and relax, as no knowledge of the offside rule is required. You are treated to all the drama you expect on a football field as well as the theatre and you will leave feeling truly elated. This is a victorious win for Dear England, so score some tickets yourself as it plays at The lowry until 29th June before a national tour.
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