Hit James Graham play Dear England about the England men’s football team under Gareth Southgate, is returning to the National Theatre next spring 2025.
The drama, which won Best New Play at the 2024 Olivier Awards, is directed by Rupert Goold, and proved a major hit at the National Theatre last year, and in the West End at the Prince Edward Theatre.
Following Dear England’s return to the National’s Olivier Theatre next year, the show will then play four weeks at the Lowry theatre in Salford.
James Graham told the Guardian newspaper today that if England win the Euros football championship this summer, he will rewrite the end of the play. “I’ll be changing the play depending on what happens, and I don’t quite know what that will look like”, he said.
James Graham has also been commissioned by the BBC to adapt the play into a TV drama, with Joseph Fiennes reprising his role as Gareth Southgate.
Casting for the National Theatre and Lowry runs is to be announced.
Dear England shines a light on the true story of England men’s football team, and examines the complex psychology of the much loved ’beautiful game’ of football, centred on the team’s manager Gareth Southgate. The show received exceptional reviews from the critics for both for it’s National Theatre and Prince Edward runs.
The stage production was filmed for NT Live, and a free screening of Dear England will take place this summer at the National Theatre as part of its River Stage free outdoor festival.
Returning to join Rupert Goold in the creative team for the show are 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.
James Graham’s current projects include a new play based on Alan Bleasdale’s acclaimed TV drama Boys From the Blackstuff, which is currently running at the National Theatre, and then transfers to the West End’s Garrick Theatre from 13 June.
He has also written new play Punch, which has just finished its premiere run at Nottingham Playhouse, and is getting strong buzz about a West End transfer.
James Graham’s other work includes TV drama Sherwood, which is filming a second series, Coalition, and Brexit: The Uncivil War. On stage, his work includes musical Tammy Faye, which is getting a Broadway run later this year also directed by Rupert Goold; and plays including Best of Enemies, Ink, Quiz, and This House.
Dear England will play at the National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre from 10 March to 24 May 2025, followed by a four-week run at The Lowry in Salford from 29 May to 29 June 2025.
More about tickets to DEAR ENGLAND at the National Theatre
What They Said
Director of the National Theatre, Rufus Norris, said:
‘Dear England is a captivating examination of football, leadership and English identity that has already resonated with so many people, and we now have the unique opportunity of restaging it with a script which will reflect the outcome from this summer’s Euros. In bringing the narrative right up to 2025, we acknowledge how pertinent and urgent the work is – a living, breathing play that cuts straight to the heart of our nation’s psyche. James and Rupert have created such a special show, and we’re thrilled that even more audiences in London and Greater Manchester will have the chance to experience it.’
Playwright James Graham said:
‘To continue the life of Dear England feels like coming top of the group and moving onto the knockout stages – it’s genuinely thrilling, and I’m so grateful to all the audiences who supported the show. Knowing that we welcomed thousands of people who had never see a play before was a huge honour for us all, but also a responsibility. We hope to continue that mission in London and now in Salford too.’
CEO of The Lowry, Julia Fawcett said:
‘The National Theatre is one of our founding partners – and over the last twenty-five years they have played an incredibly important role – helping develop our programme and build our audiences for world class drama. It’s a partnership that continues to grow and develop and this run of Dear England is a unique and incredibly special event. With football being so integral to the whole culture of the North West, we know that this production is going to really resonate with our audiences. But first…..this summer’s Euros!’
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