Dear England - NT Olivier / Prince Edward Theatre / Lowry

[edi]

Jun 19, 2023 19:52:56 GMT corblimey said:

The view from Row A isn’t great but ok for £20 just the shock when you first sit down and don’t think the girl next to me could see very much
I loved the play and as a football fan,it’s the play I’ve been waiting for such a brilliant cast as the Harry Kane and Harry Maguire characters are played to perfection.

Why is that? I always get the front row tickets, is the set raised for this?

[cartoonman]

Jun 16, 2023 12:24:19 GMT capybara said:

Glad I got a ticket for this early on.

However I opted for a single ‘narrow’ seat on the stalls. Anyone had any experience of these seats and can advise on exactly how uncomfortable I am going to be?!

I always go for these seats. I'm a fat slob but find the seats are big enough for me. Your nose can be level with the stage and you do have to swivel your head to see all of the stage I think it's 70 feet wide. There are no armrests between the seats. They are a real bargain. 
The first couple of rows at the Barbican were cheap when the RSC was there but that stopped. You will not be uncomfortable. Well done for booking them.
  

[cartoonman]

Thanks for the review, Steve. The problem on the 19th was due to the drum revolve not working. I thought that the NT had sorted this out a couple of years ago. Its a great asset for the Olivier and Rufus said that the play couldn't be performed without it.

[mrbarnaby]

They are using the drum revolve? Very risky

[andrew]

Do people feel like when there's a technical glitch preventing the play from going on that just cancelling and refunding is a bit of a cop out? I'm thinking of all the lovely readings of plays I've been to, and wondering why the cast can't just come out, maybe with Rufus since he was around reading stage directions, and perform the play for anyone who wants it? Maybe most will rebook but I'd say there are several people in that audience who won't be able to come back, it's such a waste of an evening (or a day, etc).

[n1david]

I tend to agree, particularly given I seem to have been the victim of more late-run cancellations recently. However, there are some plays that really rely on movement or set, and for example The Times today reports on the "balletic movement to simulate skills and spills." So I do think there may be some plays where the "light" experience is one which the director and/or actors doesn't want to be presented.

[Dave B]

When that happened at our visit to Small Island, Norris said that whatever the issue with the doors/resolve were meant that it wouldn't be safe for the cast to use the stage so that may be a consideration sometimes too.

[Jan]

Jun 21, 2023 8:01:56 GMT andrew said:

Do people feel like when there's a technical glitch preventing the play from going on that just cancelling and refunding is a bit of a cop out? I'm thinking of all the lovely readings of plays I've been to, and wondering why the cast can't just come out, maybe with Rufus since he was around reading stage directions, and perform the play for anyone who wants it? Maybe most will rebook but I'd say there are several people in that audience who won't be able to come back, it's such a waste of an evening (or a day, etc).

I can remember two times it has happened to me when it was towards the end of the run of something very popular and re-booking wasn't possible at all, so depending on the play that might be a reasonable idea. I also seem to recall one where it was very much a star vehicle and the star concerned just did an impromptu Q&A session instead - for the moment I can't recall who that was. 

[londonpostie]

I don't see this until the weekend but the revolve has peaked my interest.

Fwiw, I suspect this is destined for a long - potentially very long - West End run (themes audiences want to engage with and be expressive about, even if it's ovations). But the revolve is limiting .. so, for a transfer, what are the options?

[Jon]

Jun 21, 2023 12:28:46 GMT londonpostie said:

I don't see this until the weekend but the revolve has peaked my interest.

Fwiw, I suspect this is destined for a long - potentially very long - West End run (themes audiences want to engage with and be expressive about, even if it's ovations). But the revolve is limiting .. so, for a transfer, what are the options?

The issue is that the Olivier limits where shows can have a future life. The Gillian Lynne is booked up for a while with Crazy For You and Standing at the Sky's Edge and @sohoplace is too small capacity wise. 

I could envision a return season in time for Euro 2024 but a West End transfer to me is going to be difficult because the number of available theatres are always limited. 

[Mark]

Jun 21, 2023 12:28:46 GMT londonpostie said:

I don't see this until the weekend but the revolve has peaked my interest.

Fwiw, I suspect this is destined for a long - potentially very long - West End run (themes audiences want to engage with and be expressive about, even if it's ovations). But the revolve is limiting .. so, for a transfer, what are the options?

I haven't seen it yet, but I guess it depends on the size of the revolve and the rest of the space required to stage it rather than explicitly needing a revolve. I'm pretty sure Half a Sixpence used a revolve at the Noel Coward, but I'd imagine it needs a larger space than that judging from pictures I've seen.

Unless a show in a larger venue announces closing, there is very little available. 

[londonpostie]

Mmm .. mind the gap >>
NT: Until 11th August

Gillian Lynne: Crazy For You - 24 June 2023 – 20 January 2024.

.. though the idea of linking it with the Euro 2024 competition (June 2024) will be of interest, assuming it does go up west.

[Rory]

Jun 21, 2023 12:45:16 GMT londonpostie said:

Mmm .. mind the gap >>
NT: Until 11th August

Gillian Lynne: Crazy For You - 24 June 2023 – 20 January 2024.

.. though the idea of linking it with the Euro 2024 competition (June 2024) will be of interest, assuming it does go up west.

Standing at the Sky's Edge goes to the Gillian Lynne in February.

I would be surprised if there isn't a plan for a transfer or reprise. This play has buckets of commercial potential and will attract a demographic which perhaps wouldn't usually see a play.

[londonpostie]

Thats that. Well, there's always .. the National Theatre - can't see anything announced after January?

Be nice to bring that back for the tournament: it's coming home, it's coming home ..

[teamyali]

Surely an NT Live broadcast is happening! (Also manifesting recordings for The Motive and the Cue, Patriots, and Dr Semmelweis…if Rylance wants it haha) Broadway could be another destination, although Americans think of football as the Super Bowl games and they call the footsport as soccer.

[Dave B]

Jun 21, 2023 13:15:39 GMT londonpostie said:

Thats that. Well, there's always .. the National Theatre - can't see anything announced after January?

Be nice to bring that back for the tournament: it's coming home, it's coming home ..

Nye is set for Olivier from Feb 2024. Coriolanus announced but undated.

[Being Alive]

Jun 21, 2023 16:12:02 GMT teamyali said:

Surely an NT Live broadcast is happening! (Also manifesting recordings for The Motive and the Cue, Patriots, and Dr Semmelweis…if Rylance wants it haha) Broadway could be another destination, although Americans think of football as the Super Bowl games and they call the footsport as soccer.

I can't imagine Motive being on it for a while, not with the West end transfer - it may end up on NT at home though.
Dear England I'd imagine almost a shoe in but not until at the earliest the November slot, or more likely next year (they don't do any of them live anymore as it's cheaper to not and the novelty of it being love has worn off for most people).

[nash16]

We saw the show on Saturday. Really enjoyed it. Second half was slightly baggy, which was a shame, especially as the more important issues seemed to be a bit shoe-horned into that half (including racism in football; here just given a couple of almost monologue moments, when actually it’s begging for more time especially if the play is attracting football fans as it obviously seems to be. A real opportunity, but sort of rushed.) I could also do without laughing at the prime ministers. It irks when people find them funny and nudge nudge, when actually we should be feeling white hot rage that they’re still not locked up. But that could be just me.

Those second half hurried issues aside, it’s a great night out. Something for everyone. And made me care in those penalty shoot outs. Someone shouted out at one point.

Re the revolve and potential West End transfer: they’re not actually using the (infamous) drum revolve for this. Instead it seems to be a revolve placed atop the normal Olivier Stage (we were Row B and were wondering why we were craning our necks so much until my partner pointed it out).

So this should make a transfer pretty easy. I remember seeing Death of a Salesman at the Lyric theatre with a similar revolve set up, so it’s definitely possible. But obviously even this added revolve can be temperamental as the poor people on Monday night found out. A limited run if transferred should make economic sense.

Really recommend it though.

[Stephen]

Jun 21, 2023 22:08:06 GMT nash16 said:

We saw the show on Saturday. Really enjoyed it. Second half was slightly baggy, which was a shame, especially as the more important issues seemed to be a bit shoe-horned into that half (including racism in football; here just given a couple of almost monologue moments, when actually it’s begging for more time especially if the play is attracting football fans as it obviously seems to be. A real opportunity, but sort of rushed.) I could also do without laughing at the prime ministers. It irks when people find them funny and nudge nudge, when actually we should be feeling white hot rage that they’re still not locked up. But that could be just me.

Those second half hurried issues aside, it’s a great night out. Something for everyone. And made me care in those penalty shoot outs. Someone shouted out at one point.

Re the revolve and potential West End transfer: they’re not actually using the (infamous) drum revolve for this. Instead it seems to be a revolve placed atop the normal Olivier Stage (we were Row B and were wondering why we were craning our necks so much until my partner pointed it out).

So this should make a transfer pretty easy. I remember seeing Death of a Salesman at the Lyric theatre with a similar revolve set up, so it’s definitely possible. But obviously even this added revolve can be temperamental as the poor people on Monday night found out. A limited run if transferred should make economic sense.

Really recommend it though.

Yes, didn't War Horse use a simple revolve when it went to the Gillian Lynne? Same thing for this were it to move there?

[NeilVHughes]

Magnificent, not a wasted moment in its almost 3hrs, fortunately not a follower of football, only enough knowledge to recognise the players but not the results so could enjoy in ‘real time’

Not sure why but became emotional at times which was totally unexpected and hadn’t realised the impeccable Gina McKee was in the cast who was almost worth the entry price alone.

Joseph Fiennes may be the catalyst but as in the denouement the ensemble that makes it what it is.

Wonder how many of the players have seen it, would be quite disorienting seeing yourself portrayed on the stage through a positive and loving lens.


The National is in quite a roll, another sure fire transfer which may hang around for quite a while as word of mouth gathers momentum.

[londonpostie]

Yes, I think this will be back at the NT for the tournament next summer and then on to a potentially looong stay in the West End. Should be worth a few quid on NT at Home, as well.

It rattled along. Artistic ambition inevitably limited by the need to portray numerous factual events.

The only thing I would say is I wish they'd used something other than a stream of Tory PM impersonations to notionally mark the passing of time (easy laughs, though).

I was glad to not be hit any harder around the head with the societal themes of the Southgate era though I think it is important to document how and what happened - the change.

Interesting crowd. Full ovation. The elderly lady to my left was swinging her hips to Neil Diamond while the man to my right was bouncing his son on his shoulders. Somehow the football teams (men and women) have become modern totems. People across generations want to believe in, and associate with, this optimistic and very real England.

Those pens against Italy still hurt, though.

[colelarson]

Saw this afternoon and was very impressed, it was just like a game of football....highs and lows and a singalong to "Sweet Caroline!"

Joseph Fiennes IS Gareth Southgate! So uncanny how he he plays the part. Gina McKee was great to see on stage and enjoyed her performance as Pippa.

Will Close as Harry Kane was a stand out and definitely a highlight of the show he had the mannerisms and accent down to a T!

Also enjoyed the comic cameos from the likes of Theresa May and Boris Johnson. Crystal Condie who played Theresa was also funny as Alex Scott, she has definitely been doing her research as she played the role very well.

Set and staging was good, kudos to Es Devlin: the illuminated ring on stage recalls a halo and Wembley Arch, very clever. Also a great soundtrack of Football tunes playing during and before the show.


Definitely deserves the good reviews, a real team effort.

[Jon]

Saw it tonight and James Graham has knocked it out of the park with a play where football is at the centre of it but also about how we need to move on from past glories and failures and look towards the future. Joseph Fiennes as Gareth Southgate is really good but Will Close as Harry Kane steals the show, the audience were in stitches in the first act but he delivers towards the end in the more serious bits.

It's interesting that England not winning a tournament since 1966 has always defined the men's football squad in a way it doesn't define England in other sports like Rugby or Cricket where we've won their respective World Cups and indeed in the case of Rugby, it's been 20 years since we won that but there's not as much baggage.

In terms of a future life, my guess is a return to the National first unless they can find a way to transfer the current set. 

[jek]

Went last night. I grew up in a working class football mad household but, despite being taken to lots of Arsenal games, failed to develop any interest. Even so I really enjoyed this and would draw parallels with how I also enjoy Ted Lasso, despite thinking that wasn't for me. When Dear England initially went on sale (I'm a priority member) I didn't book as there were other things I wanted to see more. But having changed my mind I got lucky in last Friday's Rush and got two ten pound tickets at the extreme left of the back row of the circle. It turned out to be a really good place to watch from - because so much of the beauty of the piece relies on the choreography, although I'm sure a more close up view would be worth the price of admission. Really nice too that there were so many young people at the performance - both in organised groups and as family members. A very good night out and very cheap with my newly acquired 60+ oyster card allowing me free travel!

[drmaplewood]

I was at the matinee yesterday, went down very warmly with a lot of people on their feet. I enjoyed it though did think the themes such as racism, the campaign for the LGBT+ rights armband in Qatar etc could have been explored in more depth. Knowing how everything pans out does take away any peril, but then I know that won't be the case for everyone. Some of the writing also felt a bit clunky at times (Why would they be stood on the Wembley Stadium pitch to have a brief conversation that the Euros had been delayed by Covid?) - but a crowd pleaser for sure and one I suspect will have a longer life.

Also as an aside - do we think they weren't able to get clearance for Three Lions?