by Mike Mesterton-Gibbons

“It was the moment when millions of football fans held their breath.
England’s place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals had come down to a penalty shootout against Switzerland.
People watched at home, in pubs and in… London’s Old Vic Theatre.
James Corden’s play, The Constituent, was due to start at the same time… as the penalties.
But instead of ploughing on with the show, Corden went on stage and watched the sporting drama
with the audience and his fellow cast members.”
—BBC

Must I stop watching England play, and act?
Until I know the outcome of events,
Should I pretend my gut is not intact,
Then watch in hiding in the nearest gents?
My play and spot kicks both at once begin,
Yet I would rather be in Dusseldorf,
Soliloquizing on an England win.
How well this giant shoot-out goes will dwarf
Old Vic proceedings—must my show go on,
Without delay? What do my patrons say? …
Glued firmly to a spot-kick marathon
On smartphones, all are saying: Halt the play
Onstage—right now, the highest drama’s found
Not here, but on a German football ground!