“Dear England”, currently showing at the New Victoria Theatre Woking, is a play chronicling Gareth Southgate’s tenure as manager of the England men’s football team. The production delves into the intense pressures of top-level sport and examines how the team contributes to national identity.

The story opens with Southgate taking over after Sam Allardyce’s brief stint as manager. A striking circular light dominates the stage, setting the tone as the narrative unfolds through pivotal moments from Southgate’s time in charge. It highlights England’s tournament performances and explores emotional struggles faced by the players, especially those relating to masculinity and racism.

With a notorious record for penalty shootouts, Southgate recognises the need to confront past failures to guide the team forward. The portrayal of his own 1996 penalty heartbreak is compared with England’s historic penalty victory against Colombia in the 2018 World Cup, marking a turning point for the team.

I am no football fan but football expertise isn’t a necessary for enjoying the show; audiences are swept up in a tide of emotions, from joyful triumphs to the hopes and burdens shouldered by young players, and the harsh realities of racism endured by Black athletes.

James Graham’s script deftly blends humour and seriousness. The play highlights media frenzy, fan expectations, and the theatricality of public opinion without resorting to stereotypes. Each character, from players to commentators, is thoughtfully drawn, showing how stories shape both personal and collective identities. The script is lively and engaging, weaving together comedic moments and meaningful reflections on leadership and modern masculinity.

Gwilym Lee’s performance as Southgate is exceptional, mirroring the manager’s look and voice, and perfectly capturing his bewildered, hesitant manner alongside his genuine, articulate sincerity.

Nothing can truly comfort players who dedicate themselves only to lose in a penalty shootout. Personally, it seems unfair to single out one player for the outcome of a mere 2.8 seconds (the average time it takes an English player to take a penalty) when the whole team has had more than 90 minutes to score.

On a technical level, Dear England is outstanding. Director Rupert Goold, designer Es Devlin, and movement directors Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf turn a minimalist stage into a dynamic spectacle. Football matches are suggested rather than staged, while lighting, sound, and projections unite to create the energy of stadiums and the fervour of the nation especially during the penalty shootouts. This creates an immersive theatrical experience, making the audience feel part of the communal heartbeat.

Five Stars

Reviewed by Nina Gardner

For tickets and further information see link below

https://www.wokingtheatre.co.uk/shows/new-victoria-theatre/dear-england

CAST in alphabetical order
Mike Webster – Matt Bardock
Jordan Pickford – Josh Barrow
Marcus Rashford – Jude Carmichael
Gary Lineker / Sven-Göran Eriksson / Thomas Tuchel / Boris Johnson – Gunnar Cauthery
Raheem Sterling – Gamba Cole
Harry Maguire – Ryan Donaldson
Alex Scott / Roxanne / Theresa May – Felixe Forde
Kieron Trippier / Jadon Sancho – Kadell Herida
Jordan Henderson – Joshua Hill
Greg Clarke / Gianni Infantino / Matt Le Tissier / Vicar – John Hodgkinson
Eric Dier – Tom Lane
Gareth Southgate – Gwilym Lee
Sam Allardyce / Physio Phil / Fabio Capello / Panama Manager – Martin Marquez
Bukayo Saka – Tane Siah
Greg Dyke / Steve Holland / Graham Taylor – Tony Turner
Dele Alli – Tristan Waterson
Pippa Grange – Liz White
Harry Kane – Ryan Whittle
Ensemble – Jass Beki, Jordan Ford Silver, Courtney George, Will Harrison-Wallace, Miles Henderson, Philip Labey, Ellouise Shakespeare-Hart

CREATIVES
Writer – James Graham
Director – Rupert Goold
Set Designer – Es Devlin
Costume Designer – Evie Gurney
Lighting Designer – Jon Clark
Movement Directors – Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf
Video Designer – Ash J Woodward
Sound Designers – Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons
Additional Music – Max Perryment
Revival Director – Elin Schofield
Casting Directors – Bryony Jarvis-Taylor and Lilly Mackie
Dialect Coach – Richard Ryder
Voice Coaches – Cathleen McCarron and Shereen Ibrahim