Dear England at Theatre Royal Nottingham Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Louise Edwards

Dear England, a National Theatre production written by James Graham (for which he won the Olivier Award for Best New Play 2024) and directed by Rupert Goold continues its tour this week visiting Nottingham’s Theatre Royal. With such stellar credentials, the audience knows they are in for a treat!

The stage design by Es Devlin is simple but symbolic with arena like circular lighting to evoke a football pitch and video backdrop (By Ash J Woodward) rather than lots of heavy scenery. The only props really on stage are the changing room lockers and chairs that get moved around by the cast themselves choreographed seamlessly to flow fluidly.

The story essentially is of Gareth Southgate (played by David Sturzaker) and his journey from England player, through to under 21s coach and eventually the most successful Manager the men’s England team has ever had. The action starts as he takes the infamous penalty at the 1996 Euros and misses. Something that you feel has mentally battled him ever since.

Southgate knows the pressure on the team and he makes a long term plan, based on his own experiences, to unite the team and relieve some of the demands whilst still maintaining the enjoyment and the expectations of the fans. He employs psychologist Pippa Grange, played by Samantha Womack, to help him with this new venture encouraging the players to talk about their feelings and keep journals.

We all pretty much know how the story goes but the cast are magnificent in capturing the essence of the time and everyone, particularly the players, are played just as you would expect them to have been. The cast list is too long to name everyone and they were all amazing but Connor Hawker as Harry Maguire, Jack Maddison as Jordan Pickford, Oscar Gough as Harry Kane and Jass Beki as Saka and Rose deserve a special mention as standouts. I loved the many roles that Steven Dykes took on playing such a variety of characters from Physio Phil to Gianni Infantino and Courtney George switching between Theresa May and Alex Scott.

Dear England (named after Southgate’s open letter to the country ahead the 2021 Euros) signals that it’s not just about football matches but really is asking what England stands for and how should it carry its history forward. In that letter Southgate addressed inclusivity, respect and pride as well as racism and toxic pressure. The play tries to include all of these themes and does so also addressing the burden of past failures and how the team can break free from the weight highlighting a shift from masculinity being about toughness towards how strength can be found in vulnerability and honesty.

This play is pretty long running at 2 hours 50 minutes including a 20 minute interval and does address some heavy topics but it is also very funny and light-hearted. Whether you are a football fan or not there will be something to catch your imagination and leave you thinking about what a legacy Southgate has made and how football is never just about goals and trophies but how the nation sees itself. I loved the nod to the Lionesses at the end where they show how without the pressures (and the money!) they can bring football home by winning the Euros!

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £29.50 (booking fees may apply).

Dear England is at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham until Saturday 27 September. For more information or to book tickets visit trch.co.uk or call the box office on 0115 989 5555.

Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND