TANE SIAH in DEAR ENGLAND
“I hope audiences walk away seeing that football is so much more than just a game, it’s a reflection of who we are as a society” says 2023 Intermission Youth Graduate, TANE SIAH, who has just completed a four month production run of DEAR ENGLAND at The National Theatre! Not only did he perform on the biggest stage The National Theatre has to offer (Olivier Theatre), but the company also toured the production in Salford, staged at The Lowry.
Based on fictionalised accounts of the former England manager, Gareth Southgate, and football players like: Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford, the play delves into the psyche of the national men's football team.
The audience are taken on a journey to explore the trials and tribulations, struggles and successes of the football team. When performing as the Arsenal player, Bukayo Saka, TANE expresses that he “wanted to approach the role with care and authenticity, respecting who he [Saka] is, while also finding a way to bring my own voice into it.” Relating to the themes of the show, TANE also explains that “the way we treat our players, especially during the highs and lows, says a lot about us. I want people to understand the emotional and mental battles players go through, both on and off the pitch. It’s not just about winning or losing, it’s about identity, pressure, belonging, and resilience. If audiences leave thinking about that, then we’ve done our job.”
Speaking on the impact on audiences, it’s important to highlight the sense of community that is fostered between actors when being a part of a long running, five-star play. “I’ve taken away so much from being part of this production.” TANE vocalises that he “was lucky to be surrounded by such an amazing group of people on stage and off. There was a real sense of unity. If something was up, we all felt comfortable enough to speak up and support one another. That kind of environment doesn’t happen everywhere, and it’s something I’ll carry with me moving forward, both in work and in life.”
March 2025