“DEAR ENGLAND”
The British Council Sri Lanka is screening the Olivier awardwinning play “Dear England,” a production which sold-out in London’s West End, having captivated audiences and critics alike. This remarkable play, written by James Graham – who is described as the UK’S leading political playwright and chief chronicler – and directed by Rupert Goold, will be screened this weekend at Majestic Cinema Colombo and Regal Cinema Jaffna in partnership with Ceylon Theatres.
Orlando Edwards, British Council Sri Lanka Country Director said: “James Graham scored a winner with ‘Dear England’ his exhilarating football play, and we are really excited to see what Sri Lankan audiences will make of it. The play champions tolerance, empathy and inclusivity, and how the England manager reframed the team’s role and the culture around it at a time of stark national division.”
“Dear England” is a play about winning and losing. This being the England football team, there’s a fair sprinkling of the latter.
It’s a play about leadership and solidarity, about the way myths of past greatness can entrap us and about changing the narrative. “We are going to write our own story,” Southgate tells his — slightly baffled — young squad, as he introduces psychologist Pippa Grange (Gina Mckee) into the mix.
Joseph Fiennes, described as ‘pitch-perfect’, is an excellent Southgate. He holds the stage magnificently in this must-see production which zips along with all the energy of a graphic novel. Opening at the moment Southgate missed a crucial penalty in the Euro 1996 shoot–out against Germany, the play takes its title from Southgate’s open letter to fans.
Scarcely a ball is actually kicked, and yet the play is a brilliant fusion of sport and art, which makes some important points around solidarity and compassion.
“Dear England” is a play about winning and losing. This being the England football team, there’s a fair sprinkling of the latter. It’s a play about leadership and solidarity, about the way myths of past greatness can entrap us and about changing the narrative.
National Theatre Live broadcasts to over 700 cinemas across the UK and around the globe to an audience of more than 11 million people across 65 countries.
Critical Acclaim:
y ‘A back-of-the-net winner’ – The i y ‘The beautiful game in a beautiful play’ – Whatsonstage y ‘Tremendous’ – Telegraph