REVIEW: Squad Goals at Dagenham and Redbridge Football Ground

Any chance right now for escapism is welcomed and especially if it’s returning to live theatre. Amazing then that Squad Goals should absolutely smash a premier league-level triumph by taking over a stadium no-less for arguably one of the UK’s most exciting live theatre events of 2020. 

Squad Goals revolves around a group of young women who are about to embark on the expected routes their parents anticipated for them. At the eleventh hour before these ‘realistic careers’ are almost reality, the women have the chance to play one crucial last game at a community tournament that is guaranteed to be visited by a scout for Dagenham and Redbridge FC. 

Arriving at the venue, it’s impossible to not be instantly absorbed into the immersive buzz of the football club with its bustling club house bar, stewards checking us in and cast in football kit wandering through the space adding to the sense of pre-match anticipation. 

 

The players themselves are such a three-dimensional ensemble of characters from the social-media Instagram influencer to the goal-driven ambitious football devotees. Where the production really shines is in these finely-tuned and recognisable ‘types’. It’s very easy to spot someone you recognise and impossible not to sense a fear of missing out when the players split off on their various paths with the fragmenting audience each enjoying backstory that fleshes out our understanding of some of the individuals and their motivations. 

Squad Goals at the Dagenham and Redbridge Football Ground to close on the 26th September

Squad Goals, the new musical which is playing at the Dagenham and Redbridge Football Ground, will finish performances on the 26th September. The show was due to run until the 10th October. The sho received a 4-Star rating from our very own reviewer. 

Caspa productions, the producers of the show released the following statement:

"It is with huge regret that we have taken the decision to end the current run of Squad Goals after the evening performance on Saturday 26th Sept.

This is a really tough decision. We overcame so many hurdles to put on Covid-safe performances and we are so proud of our team for all they’ve done to make this happen. But the increasing threat of further restrictions is putting the production at risk. 

We have to be able to protect everyone’s safety, but we’re also working with limited resources. The pandemic has already had an adverse impact on the production and the possibility of a national or local lockdown has created further uncertainty. 

We hope to welcome as many people as possible to the show this week. We are inviting ticketholders booked later in the run to switch to an earlier performance, or alternatively receive a full refund. For those who have not yet booked tickets, there are still some places available but hurry!"

Your 2020 Christmas List: Supporting small businesses in our community

This year has been a rollercoaster for us all, but no more than our creatives and performers who have been failed by a system that is there to protect them. However, as natural hustlers, people have popped up with small businesses all over the place and we wanted to celebrate that. Over the past month, I have been taking note of some businesses that are definitely worthy of being on everyone's Christmas list. Take a look at some of the people who we have found, and why not have a little search around social media to see if you could buy any gifts from people in our industry, helping them out could really make a difference. This list we have created is a start, but please actively search for not only independent and small business but also those that have been set up by people who have been left without work in our industry. 

Banner artwork by Justin Williams.  

Shieldsy Sketches 

These stylish and stunning digital custom portraits are truly one of a kind. With a background in Ballet, Jamie Shields has also appeared in musicals like Cats and We Will Rock You. He creates these fabulous minimalistic sketches that are super stylish and would fit into a modern design home perfectly. Get an icon to add some unique art to your walls or perhaps slide into Jamie's DMs to commission a personalised portrait. 

View Shieldsy Sketches on Instagram

Kierography 

With credits such as Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Titanic, Les Miserables, The Barricade Boys, Pipe Dream, Chess and many more, Kieran Brown is no stranger to the West End stage. What you may not know about him is that he is a very talented photographer who has taken this one step further. He has set up his own website where you can purchase any of the gorgeous images he has taken, but why not go the extra mile and get the pictures on facemasks, on a mug or even on a coaster?! What makes purchasing one of these images even better, is that 10% of every sale goes to Acting for Others. All information can be found on his website. 

View the Kierography official Website