‘Dear England’ explores England’s football journey through various tournaments and former manager Gareth Southgate’s tenure. It highlights the team’s struggles, triumphs and relationships with fans, the government, fellow team mates, and the media – over a period of time. It works well as an historical snapshot in how football is so intrinsic to the identity of some British people as a tool for bringing us together or in some case dividing us.
A key theme is Gareth Southgate’s distinctive style of managing his team was through encouraging the team to work with a psychotherapist (there was much ridicule) and being more in tune with what is going on inside being linked to their performance on the pitch and also of course, his famous open letter ‘Dear England’ an address to all football fans.
One of the things this play does well, is show the increase in inclusivity that football has adapted to over the years from the diversity of the England squad to welcoming women as pundits and in embracing women’s football as a whole. A real bonus as I watched this with my daughter a budding footballer. Of course, there is still a long way to go but organisations such as the late Herman Ouseley’s Kick It Out are help paving the way for this discourse.
Having taken over from Joseph Fiennes, leading man Gwilym Lee’s Gareth Southgate is spot on. He not only looks like him and has a similar build, his mannerisms are delivered masterfully.
In fact the entire cast give first class performances in director Rupert Goold’s high energy production. It’s moving too – the scene about the black lives matter movement particularly resonated with me in highlighting the racism that mars the often not so beautiful game.
ES Devlin’s set is exquisite and via a revolving stage we’re on the transported to the pitch watching an excruciating penalty kick out, or we’re in a changing room – all depicted perfectly. Interestingly, there’s never an actual football on stage.
And, Jon Clark’s lighting is effective in portraying intensity and keeping the audience engaged whether it’s stadium lighting or a monologue it’s hard not to be captivated in this stunningly written, acted and telling of the beautiful game.
Tom Gibbons, Max Perryment’s and Dan Balfour’s sound design is filled with the much-loved (or hated) boisterous British anthems such as ‘Sweet Caroline’, ‘Three Lions’ and ‘Vindaloo’ but is paired nicely with the atmospheric ‘Bittersweet Symphony’. Alongside Evie Gurney’s costume design is vibrant – England football kits featuring both home and away; bibs and Gareth Southgate’s iconic suits – makes for a truly immersive theatrical experience. Complete with bad and sometimes offensive language – overall, ‘Dear England’ is child friendly but my daughter struggled with the swear words.
This winning combination of perfectly suited music, costume, set and lighting design makes for a full on footie experience and by the end, you feel like you’ve actually attended a football match – there’s a real buzz in the air- creating a winning result. Goaaaaaal!
The curtain call features one of the most annoying albeit catchy football anthems of our time but you’ll find it hard not to join in with the jubilance. No spoilers as to which song that is but I’m sure you’ll be swaying your arms in the air, singing along as if you’re sat in the local pub rather than joining the rest of the audience in a standing ovation at the National Theatre. Bravo to everyone – cast, creatives and production, ‘Dear England’ is a winner, winner, chicken dinner.
NEED TO KNOW: Dear England plays at the National Theatre until 24 May 2025
Read our 2023 review of Dear England
