BEYOND QATAR…
Two years ago this show was a pleasure – (https://theatrecat.com/2023/06/21/dear-england-olivier-se1/) , and now, on the far side of more efforts and agonies for the England football team, and the departure of the admirable Gareth Southgate James Graham has slightly extended it. It’s still a blast, and worth reflecting on what it is about James Graham’s work that, on any topic, stirs the heart. He has a remarkable ability without mawkishness to expose the emotional quality of a particular professional world, outsider though he is. In the political plays he did it with Labour activism, and with the claustrophobic loyalties of parliamentary parties and a whip’s office; in INK with the excitement and wilful self-hardening of tabloid journalism. He draws you in because he is no satirist but an observant, humane empath: not being a football follower , I felt that rush of surprising identification even more in Dear England. More even this time, on the far side of the final defeat in the World Cup and Southgate’s Dimbleby Lecture about the alienation of too many boys. For emotional growth, as well as dazzling physical skill, was what this gentle, unusual man sought to bring to the often loutish world of professional football.
This reprise is as spectacular as ever, under Rupert Goold’s direction , with Helen Kane and Hannes Langlolf’s joyful movement and Es Devlin’s gloriously- involving great arena (not a bad seat in the house, and the ghost-white projctions of arenas, Wembley towers and Moscow as thrilling as ever). Gwilym Lee takes over as Southgate, Liz White as Pippa the team psychologist. A few familiar faces from last time, but Jude Carmichael has an excellent debut as Rashford, and several other new faces enliven the marvellous surging ensemble.
The story extends, of course, beyond the defeat in Qatar, and for a while I thought this might drag it out too far. But in the end – with the lessons learned of resilience, affection and the thought that hell, life will always give you more chances – it grew fresh power . By the time you’re cheering for the Lionesses’ victory moment – done with the appropriate brief irony – and singing Sweet Caroline with half the vast Olivier you find a tear in the eye. AND it’s touring!
nationaltheatre.org.uk to 24 May then nationwide tour
rating 4
theatreCat 