I was once in an amateur production of a football musical written by Jeremy Crickett. We were the first to perform it and probably the last given that there’s no reference to it online.
Watched this show just the other day through NT Live. I'm a Brit currently living out in Poland and blessed to have a lovely local cinema showing things like this in the basement of a soviet-era apartment complex, even if it was in the 20 seat room this time rather than the 200+ seater they packed out for Prima Facie and Fleabag. Was a very weird and fascinating context to watch like this and have something of the English national neuroses about football brought out. I can barely imagine how this was to the Polish people in the audience, even just on a linguistic level. Hats off to the subtitlers with an impossible job, but "futbal wraca do domu" just doesn't have the same ring to it...
One interesting mental connection, I actually compare this play a bit to the documentary The Edge about the England cricket team from a few years back. That had a similar focus on intense pressure in an iconic sporting situation where England have traditionally been... shaky, rising to increased success, and deals with how this affects mental health and the role management. Rather contrasting outcomes in many ways.
I saw this show back in the summer at the National Theatre and it was incredible, even for someone who isn’t overly invested in sports and has only passing knowledge (I’m also American so my knowledge of the events in the show was even less developed). I won’t spoil anything but there were several points where I was at the very edge of my seat! I absolutely loved it. I’m so glad to hear you reviewing it!
I’d rather watch paint dry than watch football, but this is the best play I’ve seen in 10 years. And I go to the theatre often. Dear England is nothing short of exceptional. And the staging - THE STAGING! THE PHYSICALITY! The choreography made football look beautiful. Joseph Fiennes performance was just sublime. As were the rest of the supporting cast. Great review.
Are they really?! Oh wonderful! I'd have loved to take ny Dad to see it but he's a proper curmudgeon, I'd never be able to get him to go to London to see it so the pictures will have to do 😄
Having seen it 3 times now, twice at national and so far once at prince edward but might end up with more I love it so beautifully done and the cast are amazing loved seeing the difference between Gina and Dervla performance as Pippa and Joseph as Gareth is just so phenomenal just so clever and perfectly done and the white light is representing the Wembley arches
I’m Australian and know nothing about the sport of British Football. The play was recently shown in cinemas here as part of the NTLive program. I really love NTLive and despite the trailer for the play not really being very descriptive, I thought the play was excellent. I missed many of the references in the play but enjoyed it nonetheless. (Especially the portrayals of Boris Johnson and Theresa May).
I’m American and saw this last week at the Prince Edward. Loved the play, staging and performances, especially Gareth and Harry. Missed a few political references but overall I would recommend to non-English and non-football theatre goers.
I live in California and don't have access to much. live theater. The National has filmed Dear England and it will be shown at a college theater near me in May. I. am so excited to see this even as a film version. In addition to Dear E, I'll also be able to see The Motive and the Cue as well as Vanya. Much to look forward too.
I am an American who has good friends living in Bristol. I like British politics and culture over American over the last 7 years. You did a good job explaining this play without having Gary Linneker coming in and assisting. Any word on the Next to Normal West End transfer. Yes, Im that guy.
I wouldn’t think I’d ever be interested in a piece like this but sports plays have surprised me in the past. Take Me Out is surprisingly poignant once the novelty of the nudity wears off, and I think The Beautiful Game is an underrated gem. (Back when Our Kind of Love was still part of the score.)
Spanish here, fan of both things (Aupa Atleti!). We have our curses too on the World Cup before 2010, so, it feels more relatable than it could look, myself not being British, but it brings memories to see the men in my family complaining about Tasotti's elbow and the referee at the Korea World Cup.
As always, a wonderfully insightful review but especially impressive because perhaps it’s safe to assume, you aren’t often found kicking a ball about yourself. Well played!
I'm glad you were able to get into the subject matter and storyline for its theatricality and the multilayered delivery even though you are not a football fan. I guess this play can be compared to the baseball themed "Take Me Out" that was on Broadway 2yrs ago. It was not so much about the game of baseball but the interpersonal relationships of the players played against that backdrop. Not sure if Dear England would transfer to B'way but perhaps "Take Me Out" might make it to the West End not just for the strong subject matter but the infamous shower scene. Maybe it already had come to the West End. You would know best. Keep up the fine work.
I don't like football, but I do love many other sports so it was *almost* a perfect crossover. And now I'm wondering what a tennis or formula one play would look like...
Oddly enough, while there are MANY musicals about baseball from the U.S I can't think of one play that deals with American football...wait there is a play about coach Vince Lombardi.
I love football and theatre, however I’m Scottish so not really up my street. I’m also side-eyeing there being a play about the ‘success’ of the England men’s team when they’ve still won nothing and the England women’s team won the Euros and got to the World Cup. Plus, I don’t like Southgate, the only good thing about him is England will never win anything with him in the manager’s job. But this is neither the time nor place for me to rant about the inadequacy of Gareth Southgate. The Ted Lasso comparison is actually a good one, but I hate Ted Lasso. Including Alex Scott shows the playwright’s ignorance of the women’s game. I love Alex but she retired in 2018, she wasn’t part of the England squad at the Euros or World Cup. No, the play is not British, it’s English. I’m not sure this would appeal to people outside England who are still in the UK (I’m guessing it would be frowned upon to cheer when those penalties are missed) Btw, the white circle looks a bit like the D on the edge of the penalty box. (That’s literally it’s name)
As a football supporting musical theatre/theatre fan this is my cross over heaven
I was once in an amateur production of a football musical written by Jeremy Crickett. We were the first to perform it and probably the last given that there’s no reference to it online.
Watched this show just the other day through NT Live. I'm a Brit currently living out in Poland and blessed to have a lovely local cinema showing things like this in the basement of a soviet-era apartment complex, even if it was in the 20 seat room this time rather than the 200+ seater they packed out for Prima Facie and Fleabag. Was a very weird and fascinating context to watch like this and have something of the English national neuroses about football brought out. I can barely imagine how this was to the Polish people in the audience, even just on a linguistic level. Hats off to the subtitlers with an impossible job, but "futbal wraca do domu" just doesn't have the same ring to it...
One interesting mental connection, I actually compare this play a bit to the documentary The Edge about the England cricket team from a few years back. That had a similar focus on intense pressure in an iconic sporting situation where England have traditionally been... shaky, rising to increased success, and deals with how this affects mental health and the role management. Rather contrasting outcomes in many ways.
I saw this show back in the summer at the National Theatre and it was incredible, even for someone who isn’t overly invested in sports and has only passing knowledge (I’m also American so my knowledge of the events in the show was even less developed). I won’t spoil anything but there were several points where I was at the very edge of my seat! I absolutely loved it. I’m so glad to hear you reviewing it!
I’d rather watch paint dry than watch football, but this is the best play I’ve seen in 10 years. And I go to the theatre often. Dear England is nothing short of exceptional. And the staging - THE STAGING! THE PHYSICALITY! The choreography made football look beautiful. Joseph Fiennes performance was just sublime. As were the rest of the supporting cast. Great review.
So happy National Theatre are filming this for cinemas
Are they really?! Oh wonderful! I'd have loved to take ny Dad to see it but he's a proper curmudgeon, I'd never be able to get him to go to London to see it so the pictures will have to do 😄
Having seen it 3 times now, twice at national and so far once at prince edward but might end up with more I love it so beautifully done and the cast are amazing loved seeing the difference between Gina and Dervla performance as Pippa and Joseph as Gareth is just so phenomenal just so clever and perfectly done and the white light is representing the Wembley arches
I’ve seen Joseph Fiennes twice on stage but like his big brother, he was made for the stage, especially Shakespeare. He is a phenomenal talent.
I’m Australian and know nothing about the sport of British Football. The play was recently shown in cinemas here as part of the NTLive program. I really love NTLive and despite the trailer for the play not really being very descriptive, I thought the play was excellent. I missed many of the references in the play but enjoyed it nonetheless. (Especially the portrayals of Boris Johnson and Theresa May).
I’m American and saw this last week at the Prince Edward. Loved the play, staging and performances, especially Gareth and Harry. Missed a few political references but overall I would recommend to non-English and non-football theatre goers.
I live in California and don't have access to much. live theater. The National has filmed Dear England and it will be shown at a college theater near me in May. I. am so excited to see this even as a film version. In addition to Dear E, I'll also be able to see The Motive and the Cue as well as Vanya. Much to look forward too.
I am an American who has good friends living in Bristol. I like British politics and culture over American over the last 7 years. You did a good job explaining this play without having Gary Linneker coming in and assisting. Any word on the Next to Normal West End transfer. Yes, Im that guy.
I wouldn’t think I’d ever be interested in a piece like this but sports plays have surprised me in the past. Take Me Out is surprisingly poignant once the novelty of the nudity wears off, and I think The Beautiful Game is an underrated gem. (Back when Our Kind of Love was still part of the score.)
Spanish here, fan of both things (Aupa Atleti!). We have our curses too on the World Cup before 2010, so, it feels more relatable than it could look, myself not being British, but it brings memories to see the men in my family complaining about Tasotti's elbow and the referee at the Korea World Cup.
White light is supposed to look like the Wembley arches😀
As always, a wonderfully insightful review but especially impressive because perhaps it’s safe to assume, you aren’t often found kicking a ball about yourself. Well played!
So glad u liked it. Saw it at the national in the summer. And then recently at the Prince Charles and going for a third time soon
Kudos for explaining football/soccer! 😊
Brb, rebranding as MickeyJoSports
Excellent review! I wanted to see this while it was at the National, but tickets were so hard to get.
After watching your review I think I’ll put it on my short list for my upcoming trip.
I’ve seen the play ten times (this is not a mistake) in a month and a half at the NT - and I’m not even british. Best play ever.
I’ve seen it at the NT. Much lower prices…
Thank you.
The plot is not new in fiction or based on real life works. Moneyball about baseball was a successful book and film years ago.
If you want to be blown away,go and see THE MOTIVE AND THE CUE! IT IS ONE OF THE MOST MESMERISING THINGS I'VE EVER SEEN!
I'm glad you were able to get into the subject matter and storyline for its theatricality and the multilayered delivery even though you are not a football fan. I guess this play can be compared to the baseball themed "Take Me Out" that was on Broadway 2yrs ago. It was not so much about the game of baseball but the interpersonal relationships of the players played against that backdrop. Not sure if Dear England would transfer to B'way but perhaps "Take Me Out" might make it to the West End not just for the strong subject matter but the infamous shower scene. Maybe it already had come to the West End. You would know best. Keep up the fine work.
I don't like football, but I do love many other sports so it was *almost* a perfect crossover. And now I'm wondering what a tennis or formula one play would look like...
I’m wondering if it represents the penalty spot?? 🤷♀️
I mean that would make a huge amount of sense
What are your thoughts on the upcoming Hunger Games production?
Cool
Just wait for Match of the Day The Musical...
Oddly enough, while there are MANY musicals about baseball from the U.S I can't think of one play that deals with American football...wait there is a play about coach Vince Lombardi.
Hi how are you doing
I love football and theatre, however I’m Scottish so not really up my street. I’m also side-eyeing there being a play about the ‘success’ of the England men’s team when they’ve still won nothing and the England women’s team won the Euros and got to the World Cup. Plus, I don’t like Southgate, the only good thing about him is England will never win anything with him in the manager’s job. But this is neither the time nor place for me to rant about the inadequacy of Gareth Southgate. The Ted Lasso comparison is actually a good one, but I hate Ted Lasso.
Including Alex Scott shows the playwright’s ignorance of the women’s game. I love Alex but she retired in 2018, she wasn’t part of the England squad at the Euros or World Cup.
No, the play is not British, it’s English. I’m not sure this would appeal to people outside England who are still in the UK (I’m guessing it would be frowned upon to cheer when those penalties are missed)
Btw, the white circle looks a bit like the D on the edge of the penalty box. (That’s literally it’s name)