Triumph

The National Theatre's Olivier Award-winning smash hit, "Dear England" has arrived at Sheffield's  Lyceum Theatre in a highly  praised national tour. And last night, Shirley and I went along to see it.

The promotional blurb said this: "It’s time to change the game. The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. The England men’s team has the worst track record for penalties in the world, and manager Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take team and country back to the promised land.

Football and non-football fans alike will be brought to their feet in this joyous, five-star ‘new stage epic’ (Telegraph). From multi award-winning writer James Graham (Sherwood, BBC) and director Rupert Goold (Patriots, Cold War), Dear England tells the uplifting, at times heart-breaking, and ultimately inspiring story of Gareth Southgate’s revolutionary tenure as England manager.

David Sturzaker (Doctors, BBC) plays Gareth Southgate in this gripping examination of nation and game. He is joined by stage and screen actress Samantha Womack (EastEnders, BBC; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) as team psychologist Pippa Grange."

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At the end, following a rapturous standing ovation, Shirley and I dashed out of the theatre  onto Arundel Gate and managed to clamber on board a Number 88 bus that took us homeward straight away. We chuckled with delight about our good luck.

I had laughed and cried during the performance. It was brilliantly staged and though not what you might call "high drama", "Dear England" was certainly very entertaining - especially for somebody like me who loves English football and cares a lot about it. 

Somewhere in our recent past, England football supporters began to sing Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" at international matches and at the end of last night's  show, the entire cast and audience sang along and danced to that familiar song. Tears ran down my cheeks.