Dear England - The Lowry

THERE have been so many dashed national hopes connected to the England football team, a play about former manager Gareth Southgate initially filled me with a lukewarm enthusiasm.

Even if this study in decency and dignity was the most successful man to run the national side since Sir Alf Ramsey.

For the benefit of those who has lived under a stone for the past 59 years, Sir Alf was the only gaffer to lead the team to victory when they won the World Cup in 1966.

But any misgivings were soon dispelled as a frank, funny and a times thoughtful play unfolded, an epic piece of theatre courtesy of the National Theatre.

It’s a piece from the pen of a writer called James Graham who has succeeded in going beyond the stereotypes surrounding the so called beautiful game.

Despite their ridiculous salaries and expectations from a public baying for success on the pitch, these are real human beings too.

But the play never becomes a sob story even though Marcus Rashford, played by Jade Carmichael, gives us a flavour of what life is like growing in a one parent family when he tells it how it was to the sports psychologist Pippa Grange, played by Liz White.

As Southgate, Gwilym Lee certainly gives us a flavour of Southgate and Ryan Whittle is perfect as an awkward Harry Kane, a striker who prefers to express himself with the ball at his feet rather than via the spoken word.

If I have a criticism this play is probably 15 minutes too long but that said, Dear England is one of the most entertaining, thought provoking and uplifting pieces of theatre I’ve seen for a very long time.

Until June 29. Tickets are available from 0343 208 6000 or www.thelowry.com.

Star rating - *****