The link between football and national identity is explored in Eng-er-land, a play coming to Broadmayne, near Dorchester, to coincide with this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
It’s 1997. The year after England made it to the semi-finals of Euro 96, Gina G came third in Eurovision and 13-year-old Lizzie went to her first in-person football game, Coventry v Manchester City.
Not the Man City of today, all oil and superstars, but the old Man City – a bit rubbish but with good fans.
Lizzie fell in love with the beautiful game that day, and she’s been obsessed ever since. But then something happens to make her question her place in the stands. Eng-er-land is an energetic play about who’s really on your team…

Hannah Kumari is a performer, theatre maker and writer originally from the Midlands and now based in Frome. She has worked for BBC, Channel 4, Universal Spain, Little Angel Theatre and Horse & Bamboo, among others, and been featured on BBC Sportshour, Channel 5 News and Newsnight.
Combining storytelling, dance and music with 1990s nostalgia, Hannah’s Eng-er-land had its premiere in June 2021 with a sell-out run at Jermyn Street Theatre in London’s West End before touring to venues across the UK including the National Football Museum.
Hannah said: “There are things in the show that people of all ages and from all backgrounds will identify with. It’s fun and refreshing, and you don’t need to like football!”
Eng-er-land is at Broadmayne village hall (07443 659912) at 8pm on Sunday, November 27. It is suitable for ages 13-plus. Full details and tickets can be found online at www.artsreach.co.uk.