“This will be just as enjoyable for football fans and those with a passing interest. Unlike the English Football team, this is a real winner.“
Con Nats
4 penalty goals
It’s so nice to see two of my great passions – theatre and football – combined in the new National Theatre London production. After all, theatre used to be for the rowdy masses. Even better, it’s about one of the greatest sources of mirth in football – the English football team. I looked forward to a night of high farce and moaning; two things the English do so very well – but enjoyed this so much more.
The play starts with the miss of a crucial penalty goal by Gareth Southgate (Joseph Fiennes) in 1996 against Germany, which haunts him. It then cuts to 2016 and the sudden sacking of Big Sam Allardyce (Lloyd Hutchison) after one game for improper player management. Re-enter Gareth Southgate who correctly concludes that the problem with England is mental as they have the talent, but not the results. He sets about sacking the old guard and ringing in the new. Much to the chagrin of assistant Mike (Paul Thornley), a psychologist is hired, Pippa Heynes (Gina McKee). She starts breaking down their weakness at penalties and the fears players carry onto the field.
The play then charts their rise – and winning a penalty shootout – and disappointment after losing the final of the Euros in 2021 – in a penalty shootout. They ditched their longer term plan and played with expectation of winning and cracked. This time their demons are the racism of disappointed supporters, but there’s no violent backlash and players speak out. Progress is made. And without this expectation, the womens team wins the 2020 Euros.
James Graham has written a very funny and insightful script. New captain Harry Kane (Will Close) isn’t good with words and comes across as a comic simpleton. Goal keeper Jordan Pickford (Josh Barrow) plays a lunatic and the young African lads are characters. And the story of Dele Ali (Lewis Shepherd) is handled sensitively. Gunnar Cauthery plays a variety of characters, from Gary Linneker to Boris, to keep the comedy flowing and reflecting what was happening around the team.
There are also moments of introspection and Fiennes knows how to switch from comedy to drama with a series of meaningful monologues.
The staging is impressive with a circular rotating floor, with rotating rings, keeping the movement going and the actors do very well to avoid stumbling. A ring is also used to convey scores and Es Devlin’s staging makes clever use of a small space for a large cast. Director Rupert Goold has coached a tight production.
This was so good, I almost felt sorry for the English team, but they fall to their weakness and foibles which this production doesn’t. This will be just as enjoyable for football fans and those with a passing interest. Unlike the English Football team, this is a real winner.
Con Nats, On The Screen
