WHAT'S IN A GAME? 'DEAR ENGLAND' PROBES THE NATION THROUGH THE LENS OF ITS SOCCER TEAM
Cricket Today|October 28, 2023
That redemptive story inspired Graham to use sports "to make sense of the national moment" for a country that has been plunged into political instability and forced to question its place in the world since the U.K.'s 2016 referendum decision to leave the ...
WHAT'S IN A GAME? 'DEAR ENGLAND' PROBES THE NATION THROUGH THE LENS OF ITS SOCCER TEAM

Outside of families, few relationships are as intense as those between sports teams and their fans. In the case of England’s bond with its national soccer team, it’s not always been healthy.

James Graham’s play “Dear England” looks at the state of the nation through the ups and downs — and there have been many downs — of England’s men’s soccer team. From 1966 World Cup champions to persistent underachievers dogged by a rump of hooligan supporters, the team became a source of national anxiety.

That changed under manager Gareth Southgate, who since 2016 has forged England’s most cohesive squad in many years. Best known for his low-key manner and three-piece suits, Southgate transformed the team’s fortunes and its culture, drawing new fans and instilling a newfound sense of pride.

That redemptive story inspired Graham to use sports “to make sense of the national moment” for a country that has been plunged into political instability and forced to question its place in the world since the U.K.'s 2016 referendum decision to leave the European Union.

“I think that there is a self-defeating tailspin we get into when we get in trouble,” Graham said, referring to both soccer and society. “As demonstrated in our political system right now. We keep doubling down on the failure.

“I think we could possibly afford ourselves a healthier response to losing whereby you then reset and reform and reinvent -- which is what Gareth tried to do,” Graham told The Associated Press during a break in rehearsals.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 28, 2023-Ausgabe von Cricket Today.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 28, 2023-Ausgabe von Cricket Today.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS CRICKET TODAYAlle anzeigen
ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Can Spin Heavy India Turn Up?
Cricket Today

ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Can Spin Heavy India Turn Up?

The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 is starting from June 1. The event will be held in the West Indies and USA until June 29. 20 teams are set to take part, and all eyes will be on India under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. India are placed in Group A alongside...

time-read
6 Minuten  |
June 2024
8 WATCHES OWNED BY F1 GREAT MICHAEL SCHUMACHER FETCH MORE THAN $4 MILLION
Cricket Today

8 WATCHES OWNED BY F1 GREAT MICHAEL SCHUMACHER FETCH MORE THAN $4 MILLION

Eight watches belonging to auto racing icon Michael Schumacher sold for nearly 4 million Swiss francs ($4.4 million) at a Geneva auction. The top piece in the sale, organized by Schumacher's family, was a watch given to the German racing superstar by former...

time-read
1 min  |
June 2024
IS MAN CITY'S PREMIER LEAGUE DOMINANCE MAKING SOCCER'S MOST POPULAR LEAGUE BORING?
Cricket Today

IS MAN CITY'S PREMIER LEAGUE DOMINANCE MAKING SOCCER'S MOST POPULAR LEAGUE BORING?

A fourth straight Premier League title for Manchester City marks an unprecedented period of dominance by one team in English soccer. A sixth in seven seasons underlines City's superiority in a league that is widely regarded as the most competitive...

time-read
5 Minuten  |
June 2024
NOVAK DJOKOVIC IS WORLD SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Cricket Today

NOVAK DJOKOVIC IS WORLD SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

Spain's first Women's World Cup triumph last year earned two more major plaudits at the Laureus World Sports Awards. Spain was chosen world team of the year for 2023 and midfielder Aitana...

time-read
1 min  |
June 2024
EMOTIONAL KLOPP BIDS FAREWELL TO LIVERPOOL
Cricket Today

EMOTIONAL KLOPP BIDS FAREWELL TO LIVERPOOL

For the last time as Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp ran over to The Kop and delivered those repeated fist pumps that have been his signature during his transformational spell at Anfield...

time-read
3 Minuten  |
June 2024
HOW PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN WON A RECORD 12th FRENCH LEAGUE TITLE
Cricket Today

HOW PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN WON A RECORD 12th FRENCH LEAGUE TITLE

Paris Saint-Germain produced one of the most dominant seasons in the history of the French league despite clinching a record-extending 12th league title in an anticlimactic fashion. Second-place Monaco's 3-2 loss at Lyon gave PSG an unassailable 12-point...

time-read
3 Minuten  |
June 2024
7 INDIAN BOWLERS WITH MOST T20 WICKETS AS YUZVENDRA CHAHAL COMPLETES 350 WICKETS
Cricket Today

7 INDIAN BOWLERS WITH MOST T20 WICKETS AS YUZVENDRA CHAHAL COMPLETES 350 WICKETS

Rajasthan Royals spinner Yuzvendra Chahal claimed one wicket in his side's loss against Delhi Capitals in Match 56 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season on Tuesday. Chahal's 1/48 from four overs saw him become the first...

time-read
4 Minuten  |
June 2024
BOWLERS WITH THE MOST IPL WICKETS AT A VENUE AS SUNIL NARINE MAKES HISTORY
Cricket Today

BOWLERS WITH THE MOST IPL WICKETS AT A VENUE AS SUNIL NARINE MAKES HISTORY

Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Sunil Narine could be handed the Most Valuable Player of the Indian Premier League 2024 season. Such is his impact for the KKR team that there's hardly stopping the West Indian ace...

time-read
4 Minuten  |
June 2024
ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2024: KEY ANALYSIS OF THE LESSER-KNOWN TEAMS
Cricket Today

ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2024: KEY ANALYSIS OF THE LESSER-KNOWN TEAMS

The 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup features an expanded 20 teams from 16 in 2022. For the first time, Canada and Uganda qualified for the men's T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, the United States...

time-read
6 Minuten  |
June 2024
FOUR SEMI-FINAL PICKS FOR ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2024
Cricket Today

FOUR SEMI-FINAL PICKS FOR ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2024

The excitement surrounding the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup is palpable as cricketing nations worldwide prepare for the much-anticipated event. Co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States, this edition, scheduled from June 1 to 29, 2024...

time-read
3 Minuten  |
June 2024