As someone whose football knowledge begins and ends with the glimpses I saw of ‘Match of the Day’ in the living room growing up, I wasn’t sure what I’d make of Dear England, the National Theatre production about Gareth Southgate’s eight years managing the England men’s football team. It’s safe to say that as the curtains closed, I was more than pleasantly surprised. James Graham’s production, directed by Rupert Goold, borrows its name from the open letter Southgate wrote to England during his reign, and tells the story of his journey into the den of the lions and the homes of football fans. The beer-throwing wins and eye-watering losses he led England to are etched into the nation’s history, but his approach is lesser known.

Dear England shows Southgate (brilliantly played by David Sturzaker) lead the team through a hefty period of change – a post-Brexit Britain, the rise of social media, multiple prime ministers, and, to top it all off, a pandemic. With the help of determined psychologist and ‘culture coach’ Pippa Grange (Samantha Womack), he shifted training to matters of the mind, teaching players how to lose, deal with pressure, and express themselves; lessons that had rarely been associated with football or masculinity. After initial pushback from players and coaches, it soon became clear from the mesmerising match scenes that his approach worked.

The players, who impressively resembled the people that practically lived on our televisions for so long, were a delight to watch, including the professional theatre debut of Newcastle’s own Jake Ashton-Nelson, who played Jordan Henderson. Despite the hard-hitting themes, there was plenty of joy; parodies of politicians, media personalities (Gary Lineker tucking into a packet of Walkers), and ‘Sweet Caroline’ sing-alongs were gratefully received by the audience as we were transported right back to ‘It’s coming home’ hysteria. This was made even more dazzling by the set designed by Es Devlin, which, with a handful of wooden frames and clever lighting and graphics, transported the stage from changing rooms to Wembley Stadium in a matter of seconds.

Football fan or not, Dear England is a pleasure to watch and an important commentary on the strength of consistent leadership and weathering the storm that is the changing nature of football culture, whilst deftly questioning the nation’s idea of masculinity and identity.

Imogen Mole