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Dear England

a new play by James Graham

A lone figure stands, his back to us, wearing a waistcoat, shirt and trousers, in the centre of the red cross of the England flag that appears as a landscape rolling off into the distance.

Booking and details

In select international cinemas
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This production ran in the Olivier Theatre from 10 June to 11 August 2023.
It then transferred to the Prince Edward Theatre from 9 October 2023 to 13 January 2024.

The recording available on NT Live was made in the Olivier Theatre.

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.

Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale, The Mother) plays Gareth Southgate in this new play by James Graham (Best of Enemies, Sherwood). Following their acclaimed productions, Tammy Faye and Ink, he reunites with director Rupert Goold (Spring Awakening, Judy) for this gripping examination of both nation and game.

Please note 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.

Performed 10 June — 11 August 2023 in the Olivier Theatre.

Nominated for nine Olivier Awards 2024 including:

  • Best New Play
  • Best Actor – Joseph Fiennes
  • Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Will Close
  • Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Gina McKee
  • Best Director – Rupert Goold
  • Best Set Design – Es Devlin and Ash J Woodward
  • Best Lighting Design – Jon Clark
  • Best Sound Design – Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons
  • Best Theatre Choreographer – Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf

Suitability

Please note: This production contains flashing lights, loud noises and some offensive language.

Supporters

The commissioning of this production was generously supported by the Sir Peter Shaffer Charitable Foundation.

Supported by Marcia B Whitaker, Clive & Sally Sherling and our team of Production Champions: The Broughton Family Charitable Trust, Sir Damon & Lady Buffini, Sabine & Richard Chalmers, Mark and Sarah Crosbie, Cas Donald, Priya Heal, Soo & Jonathan Hitchin, The Hope Kenwright Foundation, Ian & Beth Mill and The Williams Charitable Trust.

Videos

A man wearing a white football shirt with a Nike logo and an emblem on the chest stands, he has a peroxided hair style shaves close at the sides but left long on top/ He is smiling looking to his right.
Play Video

Meet the team

Gallery

Cast

Production team

Writer

James Graham

James Graham

Director

Rupert Goold

Rupert Goold

Set Designer

Es Devlin

Es Devlin

Costume Designer

Evie Gurney 

Evie Gurney 

Lighting Designer

Jon Clark

Jon Clark

Co-Movement Director

Ellen Kane

Ellen Kane

Co-Movement Director

Hannes Langolf

Hannes Langolf

Co-Sound Designer

Dan Balfour

Dan Balfour

Co-Sound Designer

Tom Gibbons

Tom Gibbons

Additional Music

Max Perryment

Max Perryment

Video Designer

Ash J Woodward

Ash J Woodward

Casting Director

Bryony Jarvis-Taylor

Bryony Jarvis-Taylor

Dialect Coach

Richard Ryder

Richard Ryder

Associate Director

Elin Schofield

Elin Schofield

Associate Set Designer

Will Brown

Will Brown

Associate Lighting Designer

Ben Jacobs

Ben Jacobs

 

 

Photography by Rick Guest and CGI by Rob Rae