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Later this evening, the United States will play England at Wembley (8pm BST/BBC1) in a friendly match between two countries who have a love-hate relationship with each other. But in this war, the battle is waged off the pitch rather than on it.
On the pitch, the competition between the two sides is waged fairly. The American players who play in the Premier League will have more of a desire to win the match so they can rub it into the faces of their English compatriots. The English players will have a lot to prove to new manager Fabio Capello, so overall the match should be entertaining to watch as long as it remains competitive. Most importantly, it’ll be played in a clean manner.
Off the pitch, it’s a different story. Being an American who lived in Britain for 14 years, I’ve experienced the complicated love-hate relationship between both countries. There are so many Anglophiles who live in the United States and love the English way of life (the football, the beer, the fish and chips, music, TV shows, movies and royalty). And there are many Brits who love the American way of life (the TV shows, movies, rap artists, fashion, fast food and gadgets such as Apple’s iPod).
But right in the middle of all of this is also a relationship of hate, which isn’t felt by everyone but definitely exists. It’s part politics and part football. And, without a doubt, it’s more fierce off the pitch than on it.
Politically speaking, George Bush’s shock and awe policy in Iraq has generated a lot of negativity among people around the world which is aimed at the United States. Of course, Britain was America’s biggest ally in the war against Saddam Hussein, so it shouldn’t feel exonerated. But the war has created a bitter taste in the mouths of so many people worldwide.

epltalk.com

“CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF”: 8 p.m. April 20, Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Tennessee Williams. Story of a couple poised to inherit the largest plantation in the Mississippi Delta. He is confined, by injury, to the bedroom of his family estate. His bride is determined to win the family fortune. Tickets: $32.50, $37.50, $42.50 at 630-896-6666 or www.paramountarts.com.
“CLOSER”: through May 10, Riverfront Playhouse, 11-13 S. Water Street Mall, Aurora. Patrick Marber’s controversial and provocative play about love and sex in the 21st Century. Not appropriate for younger or more sensitive audience members. Schedule: 8 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays. Tickets: $15 adults, $12 seniors and students at 630-897-9496 or www.riverfrontplayhouse.com.
“THE LAST FIVE YEARS”: April 18 through May 18, Steel Beam Theatre, St. Charles. A chronicle of marriage from start to finish or finish to start, depending on how you look at it. Schedule: 8 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $25 adults, $23 seniors and students, $22 groups of 10 or more at 630-587-8521 or www.steelbeamtheatre.com.
“LATE NITE CATECHISM”: through May 31, Preservation Hall Studio Theater at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. Noble Fool theatricals comedy presentation featuring Lisa Braatz as Sister, the wisecracking, lovable nun. Schedule: 6 p.m. Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $27 with dinner packages from $49. Tickets and information: 630-584-6342; any Ticketmaster location or www.ticketmaster.com.
“THE MUSIC MAN”: 7:30 p.m. April 18-19, Dundee-Crown High School auditorium, 1 Charger Country Drive, Carpentersville. Story of the con man salesman, Harold Hill, who fools everybody but the intelligent town librarian, Marian Paroo. Tickets: $7 adults, $6 seniors and students available at the door. Tickets and information: 847-275-6995.
“ROBIN HOOD, THE MUSICAL”: 10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. Saturdays through May 24, Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. Steel Beam Children’s Theatre presentation. Tickets: $10 at 630-587-8521 or www.steelbeamtheatre.com.

nwherald.com