- Running time 2 hours and 50 minutes (including interval)
Dear England - Tour Dates
Performance information is for guidance only. Check booking calendar for details.
The National Theatre’s hit play Dear England returns to UK theatres in 2026.
Following sold-out runs at the National Theatre and the West End’s Prince Edward Theatre in 2023 and 2024, James Graham’s blockbuster drama heads out on tour, including London’s New Wimbledon Theatre.
Written by award-winning writer James Graham (Best of Enemies, Tammy Faye, Sherwood), Dear England is a captivating new play that shines a light on the England men’s football team, and examines the complex psychology of the much loved ’beautiful game of football.
Starring TV and stage star David Sturzaker (Doctors, To Kill a Mockingbird) as England manager Gareth Southgate, with EastEnders and Mount Pleasant star Samantha Womack as team psychologist Pippa Grange, Dear England is directed by Rupert Goold.
Dear England is touring to theatres in the UK and Ireland in 2026.
It’s time to change the game.
The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t England’s men win at their own game?
With the worst track record for penalties in the world, 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.
Videos & Photos
Performance Information
Check booking calendar for full details
- Evenings
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Matinees
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Saturday
- Group Bookings For groups of 10+ enquire here
Stars and Creatives
Who is in the cast of Dear England?
Starring David Sturzaker as Gareth Southgate, and Samantha Womack as Pippa Grange
The cast also includes Jake Ashton-Nelson as Jordan Henderson, Luke Azille as Jadon Sancho, Ian Bartholomew as Greg Dyke, Jass Beki as Bukayo Saka, Ashley Byam as Raheem Sterling, Steven Dykes as Sam Allardyce, Courtney George as Alex Scott, Oscar Gough as Harry Kane, Jayden Hanley as Marcus Rashford, Connor Hawker as Harry Maguire, Ian Kirkby as Gary Lineker, Tom Lane as Eric Dier, Jack Maddison as Jordan Pickford, Liam Prince-Donnelly as Dele Alli, and George Rainsford as Mike Webster.
In the ensemble are Stuart Ash, Natalie Boakye, Sam Craig, Miles Henderson, and Jonathan Markwood.
Who are the creative team of Dear England?
Written by James Graham and directed by Rupert Goold.
Set designer, Es Devlin; costume designer Evie Gurney; lighting designer, Jon Clark; movement directors, Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf; sound designers, Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons; and video designer, Ash J Woodward. Additional music is by Max Perryment, the casting director is Bryony Jarvis Taylor, dialect coach is Richard Ryder, and associate director is Elin Schofield.
Important Notes
Content warning: This production contains flashing lights, loud noises, some offensive language
Notes: This is a fictionalised account of the struggles and successes of England’s football teams, based on extensive research and interviews. It features characters inspired by some real-life individuals, and some composite characters entirely imagined by the author.
Critics' reviews of Dear England
★★★★★ “James Graham’s new stage epic. Tremendous" - The Telegraph (2023)
★★★★★ "A thumping win" - i News (2023)
★★★★★ "A play that is vital in every way – both full of life, and of essential debate" - What's On Stage (2025)
★★★★★ “The beautiful game in a beautiful play" - What's On Stage (2023)
★★★★ "The decade’s biggest theatrical triumph" - The Telegraph (2025)
★★★★ "It’s a joy" - TimeOut (2025)
★★★★ "A wildly entertaining romp" - TimeOut (2023)
★★★★ "A theatrical sibling of The West Wing" - The Guardian (2025)
★★★★ "Updated state-of-the-nation drama feels more vital than ever" - Financial Times (2025)
★★★★ “A glorious, generous rollercoaster… That’s what winning looks like.” - Financial Times (2023)
★★★★ "Captures the communal joy and heartache of sport, and now boasts a proper ending" - Evening Standard (2025)
★★★★ "James Graham scores again with this thrilling football drama" - Evening Standard (2023)
★★★★ "Still poignant with a perfect new Gareth Southgate" - The Times (2025
★★★★ "A joyous example of populist theatre" - The Times (2023)
★★★★ "Joseph Fiennes gives an extraordinarily uncanny central performance" - The Stage (2023)























Google
Apple










