Dear England - NT Olivier / Prince Edward Theatre / Lowry

There you have a glimpse of how things would have been if they’d appointed Rupert Goold as AD instead of Norris. He’s a showman who can handle those big stages. It was the same with his Lyttelton production of Time and the Conways in 2009 which I think is the only other time he’s directed at NT.

Maybe replace aspects at the Lyric until Hadestown comes in?

The Lyric is only available for 9-10 weeks which would make it very hard for something like Dear England which has a big cast to come in for a short run.

I'm including time to load out and load in sets as well as rehearsal as well which is why I think Dear England is unlikely but Frank and Percy or School Girls, The African Mean Girls Play could go in especially the former.

James Graham is an amazing playwright, he has an uncanny finger on the country's pulse and manages to make dramas out of news stories, political events, whatever.... but always finding a dramatic conflict with which to explore ideas beyond the basic narrative.

This is no different and I believe he may achieved the wonderful feat of bringing new audiences into the theatre. The audience (crowd?) on Monday night was somewhere between a theatre audience and a football crowd, joining in on chants they recognised and cheering mentions of the teams they follow.

It was a play of two halves. The first was I think more exciting, pure entertainment, the audience getting that little thrill where they recognise characters and events but with the heightened reality that being on a stage brings to them. Although there wasn't a ball in sight and I knew the outcomes, some of the recreated penalty shootouts were genuinely tense and dramatic.

The second half where Graham brings in other themes is slightly (very slightly) less absorbing but it makes its points and does so effectively. Racism, leadership, identity - what it means to be English (there is no English anthem in football, only the UK one), violence... the British do beat themselves up a lot, we are no longer world leaders in football hooliganism and haven't been for years. I was reminded at the conclusion of Larkin's "An Arundel Tomb" - quite something, for a play about what is still such a macho sport to evoke these feelings.

Can you enjoy this play if you know nothing about football and care even less? Well, of course. It is a potent piece. I don't have to be a fan of world wars to appreciate Downfall.

Great work from the ensemble and the high standards you'd expect from Joe Fiennes and Gina Mckee. I think Graham's got another winner here, I expect this to transfer to the West End. The National is on quite a run! Well done lads.

I hear from friends in the company that Will Fletcher is on both shows today as Gareth Southgate. If that is so, here's hoping he nails it in what is bar none the most exciting play in town.

I was there for the matinee. I did feel a bit meh not to see Fiennes, but blooming heck Will blew me away with his performance. Does anyone know if this was his first time on? If so he appeared quite at ease with the role. I did manage to snag a single back of stalls seat in a few weeks so I can see the play again, and possibly see Fiennes, but I won’t mind if I see Will too. 
does anyone think this might get a transfer?

It’s what I was thinking. Wonder if they’ll keep Fiennes?
I also see they are filming it too

Back to the Olivier next summer (May to August) for the Euros, as predicted by many on here, then to the Gillian Lynne almost straight after for a limited run.

Is this what's happening then?

Well this DOES make more sense