Writer: James Graham
Director: Rupert Goold
Let’s kick off with the obvious straight away, Dear England is a resounding success – unexpected, powerful, and deeply immersive. It seamlessly blends football, emotion, and theatrical innovation, bringing the audience to their feet with Sweet Caroline before leaving them in quiet contemplation about masculinity and mental health.
From the opening scene, the staging (a brilliant design by Es Devlin) captivates with its striking simplicity. LED boards and carefully orchestrated lighting transport the audience into the electric atmosphere of a football stadium, while also creating intimate spaces that reflect the psychological battles of the players. Every element enhances rather than overwhelms, guiding the narrative with precision.
Josh Barrow delivers an uncanny portrayal of Jordan Pickford, embodying his physicality and mannerisms with astonishing accuracy. He is joined by a line-up of exaggerated yet insightful characterizations, with Ryan Whittle’s Harry Kane and Ryan Donaldson’s Harry Maguire providing both humour and depth. These performances highlight not only footballing stereotypes but also the unspoken pressures and personal struggles beneath the surface of the game.
The second half transforms the energy entirely. Just as the emotional intensity appears to settle, music takes centre stage, elevating the production into something transcendent. Boisterous group chants and haunting solo moments lay bare the realities of mental health within football and beyond. The theme is woven with subtlety, encouraging reflection without moralizing, particularly for the likely male audience drawn to the show.
A standout moment arrives with the tribute to the England women’s team – a celebration of progress that offers a refreshing contrast to the male-dominated narrative. The audience responds warmly, embracing the shift in focus with genuine enthusiasm.
Gwilym Lee’s Gareth Southgate and Liz White’s Pippa Grange provide an emotional anchor, delivering performances infused with quiet strength and intelligence. Their dynamic, threaded with subtle tension, adds another dimension to the storytelling. Meanwhile, the ensemble breathes life into a variety of roles – footballers, Gary Lineker, a priest, even Boris Johnson with flair, humour, and rapid transformations.
By the time Sweet Caroline fills the theatre, Dear England has evolved beyond a play – it becomes a shared experience, cathartic and joyous. The standing ovation is immediate and well-deserved, not only for its emotional highs but for the tender way it creates space for vulnerability in an arena where it is rarely seen.
This is not simply theatre for football fans. It is theatre about football -about men, the weight of expectation, and the truths hidden behind the headlines. As the audience departs, humming Sweet Caroline, the production leaves them nostalgic, uplifted, and perhaps just a little more aware.
Runs Until 29 June 2025 and continues on UK Tour
The Reviews Hub Score
Unexpectedly Powerful
