★★★★
James Graham’s revived Dear England gives a refreshingly realistic and uplifting message on perseverance that goes beyond the pitch.
The story starts with a memory. Sir Gareth Southgate (Gwilym Lee) looks on at a silhouette of his younger self missing the crucial penalty at the 1996 Euros semi-final. Still regretting that moment, Southgate is appointed caretaker manager for the England team. Unlike managers before him, Southgate wants to build up his team’s mental resilience to the pressures of playing for England, hiring psychologist Dr Pippa Grange (Liz White) as Head of People and Team Development. Initially criticised for being soft and unnecessary, Southgate’s method has made him one of the most successful England managers since 1966.
Jam-packed with joyful renditions of ‘Sweet Caroline’, Dear England is a fun Show. At the helm, Lee plays the mild-mannered muffin-bearing manager, balancing Southgate’s gentleness, authority, and self-deprecation to great effect. Around him are his players. Not only do many of the actors look like Match Attax come to life, but they are bang-on in replicating the mannerisms we’ve come to know so well through post-match interviews. The company also successfully shows that the players are first and foremost young men, some even teenagers, trying to balance their own struggles with fulfilling the hopes of a nation. Gamba Cole as Raheem Sterling and Tristan Waterson as Dele Alli give two emotionally energetic performances that are arguably the most memorable in the show.
The set design is technologically savvy, using a black screen to display social media posts and stadia infrastructures. As the audience enters to find their seats, they are greeted with a giant illuminated halo hovering over the circumference of the stage. This turns into the open roof of the stadium and often becomes a scoreboard. Es Devlin’s set design is seamless, subtle, and effective.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the production is its sobering but uplifting ending. Throughout the play, a countdown ticks to the Qatar 2022 World Cup final. Southgate hopes that this is when England will emerge victorious. As we have to rediscover, this is not the case. Graham has also slightly updated the play to include the 2024 Euros results, where Spain grasped the trophy from England’s clutches.
Southgate’s story did not have a Hollywood ending, but it made Graham’s portrayal of perseverance significantly more emphatic and interesting. Even though the play ends with Southgate having culminated four defeats, new England manager Thomas Tuchel reminds Southgate that he has achieved more than any England manager in the past 50 years.
In short, Dear England is a heart-warmer. It is not a perfect show but it has enough humour, determination, and Nobby Stiles–inspired dancing to keep you smiling.
Dear England will run at the National Theatre until 24 May.
Words by Harriet MacDonald
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