Hannah Kumari’s show about football, racism and national identity comes to The Wardrobe Theatre

Hannah Kumari is a performer, theatre maker and writer from the Midlands, and now living in Frome.

In her work, she is particularly drawn to creating interdisciplinary projects that are inspired by her own direct experience, and so, as a huge football fan, the beautiful game felt like a particularly apposite subject to explore.

ENG-ER-LAND was created in collaboration with the working laboratory WoLab, which helps artists of all experience levels to “discover and refine their talents”, as well as introducing them to opportunities, connecting them with other artists, assisting with funding applications and being a tangible source of support and advice.

Writing the play through the prism of her own experience as a South Asian and female football fan, Kumari was able to confront some weighty issues in an accessible way.

“I wrote ENG-ER-LAND in June 2020 in the wake of the BLM protests and seeing supposed football fans acting in a very aggressive and anti-social way,” she reflects.

“It made me sad and angry that we are still in this position, and I felt compelled to reflect on my own experiences at football matches as a mixed raced teenager growing up in the 90s, and now as a woman.”

Hannah Kumari ENG-ER-LAND Main image -photo: Ali Wright

1997. Last year 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 vs. Manchester City. Not the Man City of today, 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.

Funded by Arts Council England, the piece is supported by The Fans for Diversity campaign, a join project by the Football Supporters’ Association and the organisation tackling racism and discrimination in football – Kick It Out.

Campaign manager, former pro footballer Anwar Uddin says: “I hope that, through empathy and shared experience, audiences around the country can really connect with Hannah’s play in a positive way and are encouraged to reflect on their own behaviour and more likely to stand up for others”.

Hannah Kumari in ENG-ER-LAND – photo: Ali Wright

The tour is a timely one, coming in the wake of some alarming statistics on rising levels of hate within the world of football, both on the pitch and across social media.

Kick It Out reported a 53 per cent increase in reported racial abuse between 2019/20 and the preceding season, as well as a 42 per cent increase in reports of discrimination, and a staggering 95 per cent increase in reports of abuse based on sexual orientation.

For Kumari, as well as a personal study of football and racism, ENG-ER-LAND interrogates the idea of national identity, and what that actually stands for: “The play is an exploration of my mixed-race identity, and the idea of Englishness – what does it mean to be English and who gets to define that?

“I wanted to write a play that was fun and uplifting, whilst also confronting big issues.”

Hannah Kumari in ENG-ER-LAND – photo: Ali Wright

ENG-ER-LAND (age recommendation 12+) is at The Wardrobe Theatre on March 22-23 at 7.30pm, as part of UK tour. Tickets are available at www.thewardrobetheatre.com.

Main photo: Ali Wright

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