In a heart-stopping moment for football fans across England, the national team’s fate in the Euro 2024 semi-finals came down to a penalty shootout against Switzerland. While millions watched the nail-biting match at home, in pubs, and even at London’s Old Vic Theatre, where James Corden’s play, The Constituent, was scheduled to start at the same time.
Instead of ploughing on with the show, Corden made a spontaneous decision to watch the game with the audience and his fellow cast members. Videos captured the actor kneeling down, watching the game on his tablet, and narrating the tense moments of each penalty kick. The play, a political drama about an MP, eventually started after England’s dramatic victory.
Corden later revealed to The Guardian that the cast had originally been watching the match backstage and decided to put on their costumes during extra time. When the play was about to begin, they heard cheers from the audience and realized everyone was watching the game. Without hesitation, Corden, Anna Maxwell-Martin, and Zachary Hart took to the stage with an iPad to join in the collective experience of watching the penalties.
Audience member Carla Feltham described the atmosphere as “amazing” and shared that everyone clapped and cheered when Corden announced they could watch the penalties together. The delayed start of the play was well worth it, as the audience enjoyed a unique and unforgettable experience of witnessing England’s victory alongside the cast.
Overall, the impromptu decision to watch the football match together added an extra layer of excitement and camaraderie to the evening, making it a memorable night for both football and theatre fans alike.
