Dear England

Mrs maytrees, who does not appreciate football not even our local club AFC Wimbledon, and I, were treated by youngest sister, to James Graham's new play Dear England earlier this week.

The play was shown at the National Theatre, though  such is its success, is moving to the West End on Friday this week. 

The play was first class and that is not just a view held by youngest sister Steph and I but also mrs maytrees.

The play commenced with a mention of the world's first  international  football match which was England v Scotland in 1870, which game was drawn 0-0.

The programme notes illustrate the difficulties and failures by England since then, especially as regards penalty shoot outs:

Especially given the virtual antipathy of mrs maytrees towards football, the play was brilliant for her and us all. There were many very funny scenes including one where the England Women's football team captain, displayed the huge European Cup that England's women  have  recently won; followed by the England  men's captain walking on with a miniscule player of the month cup, which is all the men's team has come up with since their great win in the 1966 final (which I was lucky enough to see on TV at the time.)

Joseph Fiennes who played Gareth Southgate was outstanding as were all of his team mates. I  found some of the walk on parts as infuriating on stage as in real life, for example  Boris Johnson and Wayne Rooney played I believe by Gunnar Cathery. 

The women psychologist played I think, by Crystal Condie was also excellent.

The dancing, singing jocularity and foot stamping on-stage, appealed to the full audience including us all, and the cast received a well deserved standing ovation at the all too quick conclusion of the play.

As we were leaving the theatre, Father John Moffatt SJ surprised us by coming over to say 'hello'. He had been watching the play with his sister whose birthday it was. Years ago, John taught maytrees max at Wimbledon College and travelled with our HCPT Group 35 to Lourdes on a couple of occasions as our chaplain.

After the play we enjoyed a delicious meal at the National Theatre's new (it has only been open for 4 months) restaurant again courtesy of very kind youngest sister - thank you Steph.

After the play, in real life football AFC Wimbledon beat their opponents Coventry City in an EFL  Cup tie. No mean feat as Coventry who were winning 0-1 by the 84th minute due to an earlier penalty  are two tiers above AFC Wimbledon in the leagues. AFC Wimbledon has  been drawn to play my late father's old team Chelsea away in the next round - worth seeing at the Chelsea ground, hopefully.