“We’re on the stage, we know what happens and yet you can’t help but get caught up in the emotion of it all,” says Jude Carmichael who plays Marcus Rashford.
In a way that sums up the success of James Graham’s award-winning play Dear England which has arrived at The Lowry direct from the National Theatre.
Ostensibly a play about the fortunes of the England football team under the leadership of manager Gareth Southgate, there’s so much more to it - a fact that’s certainly not lost on the cast.
Read the review: A five-star treat even if you don't like football
“I really enjoyed researching Pippa and listening to her strategies about creating a better, calmer life,” said Liz. “She talks about how to lose which might sound defeatist but it’s about how you approach things in a more reflective way; it affects how you approach your next battle without being crippled by fear.
“I’ve certainly learned so much just be studying her and I hope that it has the same impact on the audience who might then start to approach things in a different, more holistic way.”
With major tournaments such as the Euros and World Cup as the backdrop, Dear England looks at the young men who carry the expectation of the nation on their shoulders.
Josh Barrow gives a scene-stealing performance as goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
“You don’t get very much about players’ characters when you see them on the pitch or in post match interviews,” he said. “It’s when they are in the dressing room that you get to play around a little bit but you don’t want to simply present a caricature.
“These are real people at the top of their profession; we’re not playing some figure from history. They are still very present and you want to do them justice.
“You can tell from watching Jordan Pickford that when he’s on the pitch he just rattles, he never stops shouting and moving. But it’s about making these characters real people; he’s not like that when he goes home.”
Jude Carmichael who is making his stage debut as the England striker is the only member of the cast who has represented his country - he was part of the England under-16 basketball team.
“Then I realised I’d be playing Marcus Rashford in Manchester (Rashford grew up in Wythenshawe and is a Manchester United player) and I got a bit nervous.
“But I think that having played competitive sport to a high standard has helped me. You have this genuine passion for the game.”
Unlike Jude, Josh is less confident about his own sporting abilities.
“You’ve no idea what I’m like on a football pitch,” he laughed. “honestly, I’m hopeless.
“But I think we can all relate to having that dream of scoring a winning goal or saving a penalty even if you don’t like football; it’s this universal feeling and that’s something which features a lot in the play.
“It’s about how people can come together and be better as a result. It’s such an important message.”
Liz White added: “The play touches on the ideal of a national community. It’s very poignant when it touches on the Covid pandemic. The Euros in 2021 were really the first time that people were able to come together after lockdown and it created this special feeling.”
The on-field drama never lets up throughout the show as Southgate’s men progress through major tournaments, often facing the dreaded penalty shoot-outs.
“Those situations are such a personal moment,” said Josh. “It’s like being in the Colosseum where you have this roaring crowd and one person steps up to take centre stage - it’s gladiatorial.
“On stage you feel that pressure and when you look out into the audience, even though most people know how it’s going to go, they are all sat on the edge of their seats and some of them can’t even watch they are so engaged - that’s just perfect.”
Gwilym Lee’s portrayal of Gareth Southgate has earned universal praise and his fellow cast members are equally in awe.
Read also: Gwilym Lee on playing Gareth Southgate on stage
“I remember the first time Gwilym did his Gareth,” said Jude. “We were all joking around during a read through at one of the first rehearsals and then he just went into Gareth mode it was such a moment.”
Liz added: “He is so gifted. It’s just like when he played Brian May in Bohemian Rhapsody - it’s a really special talent to become someone else like that.”
Although Dear England is about so much more than football; one thing the cast thrives off is the match-like atmosphere the show creates in the theatre.
“Oh, we feed off it,” said Josh. “We want the laughs and cheers and boos. The more the audience responds, the more we lean into it.”
Dear England is at The Lowry, Salford until Sunday, June 29. Details from www.thelowry.com
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