5 Reasons to see Dear England, even if you don’t like football
We can think of loads of reasons to come and see the brilliant Dear England when it kicks off in Salford soon….and know it’s the perfect play for fans of the beautiful game. But what if you DON’T like football? Will this play still be for you? The answer according to our friend @thetheatretalk is ABSOLUTELY…and they’ve even done a guest blog for us on the subject…so here is their 5 Reasons to See Dear England if you DON’T like football…..check it out!
Having been dragged by my ever-hopeful dad to countless football matches, his love of ‘the beautiful game’ was never passed on to me. In fact, I don’t think I have even watched a televised game for about 15 years. So, when I found myself absolutely loving the National Theatre’s Dear England, no one was more surprised than me. But after thinking about it, it was clear why it struck such a chord.
Here are five reasons why even someone who doesn’t follow football should give Dear England a chance:
The Drama
Who knew a football match could be so gripping? Well, pretty much everyone apart from me, it would seem! The tension at several pivotal moments had me genuinely on the edge of my seat. I wondered whether not knowing the real-life heightened my suspense, but even my football-obsessed friends were still holding their breath despite knowing the outcome.
The Inclusivity
When I think of football, rightly or wrongly, I think of a world steeped in toxic masculinity. But Dear England tells a different story, offering a fresh perspective with Gareth Southgate’s mission to transform the culture of the team. Suddenly, football felt more inclusive than I ever thought it could be!
The Message
For me, theatre is at its most powerful when it leaves you seeing the world a little differently. Dear England reframes failure and allows the audience to question what success looks like. Through the depiction of psychologist Pippa Grange (played brilliantly by Liz White), it inspires us to have more positive reflections on our achievements and (perceived) failures.
The Production Values
Dear England is National Theatre at its best. The revolving circular stage, the clever use of screens, and the almost cinematic choreography make Dear England a visual feast without ever feeling overcomplicated. The slow-motion penalty scenes alone (which earned Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf an Olivier nomination for Best Choreography) had my heart racing. For the first time, I felt the adrenaline and rush that everyone else feels in these moments.
The Humour
I feared that I might feel excluded from any humour, not having a benchmark of understanding or appreciation of the real-life characters or story. But the humour here is broad, sharp, and hugely relatable. It shines a light not just on football personalities but on society, with hilarious jabs at modern pop culture and even a few political figures making a surprise appearance that had the whole theatre roaring with laughter.
While I’d still choose the theatre over a football stadium any day, Dear England has given me a newfound appreciation for the game and why it unites so many people. Likewise, I hope it will introduce a whole new audience of footy fans to theatre. When it’s as good as this, it’s impossible not to enjoy. I can’t wait to experience it all over again when it kicks off its five-week residency at The Lowry soon!
