Writer: Hannah Kumari
Director: Max Lindsay
Set in the mid-1990s, ENG-ER-LAND follows Lizzie, a young girl navigating the complexities of her mixed heritage. With a mother from India, a father from Scotland, and having been raised in England, Lizzie struggles to find her place within her family and school friends. The football stadium, where she cheers on Coventry, is the one space where she feels she truly belongs. However, entering her early teens, even this sanctuary begins to reveal its uninviting side.
Hannah Kumari’s writing skilfully guides us through Lizzie’s journey to the stadium, interweaving past events to contextualize her relationships with the people she comes across. While the play’s core theme is an exploration of identity, it occasionally lacks the depth and nuance needed to fully address the complexities of racism. This might stem from Lizzie’s adolescent perspective, which limits her ability to fully articulate her feelings.
However, this also restricts the audience’s capacity to connect with her on a deeper level. Despite its relevance to contemporary issues, the narrative at times feels predictable, lacking in originality. Yet, Kumari cleverly involves the audience in the story by identifying a non-football fan early on and using asides to explain terms and clarify the narrative.
Nikhita Lesler delivers an energetic and enthusiastic performance, sustaining the one-woman show with vigour. However, during moments when the fourth wall is broken, Lesler’s interactions with the audience come across as seeking approval rather than confidently guiding us through the story. This could be interpreted as a reflection of the teenage character’s need for acceptance, though it somewhat undermines the overall impact.
Lesler’s portrayal of Lizzie, whilst lively, often lacks the depth required to convey the character’s emotional journey. The sustained tone throughout results in a somewhat flat character arc, and the portrayal’s infantilisation of Lizzie diminishes the complexity of the play’s themes. Nonetheless, Lesler excels in bringing to life the world around Lizzie by vividly depicting the influential figures in her life.
Max Lindsay’s direction makes dynamic use of a bare stage, adding visual rhythm and pace to the production. By incorporating pauses and beats to emphasise poignant moments, the staging has the potential to highlight even further the story’s shape and structure.
ENG-ER-LAND offers an enjoyable yet reflective insight into the experience of being a female mixed-race football fan in the 1990s. While it captures the challenges of identity and belonging, the production would benefit from a more layered exploration of its themes.
Runs until 10 August 2024
The Reviews Hub Score
Enjoyable and reflective
