Dear England
a new play by James Graham
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.
★★★★★
‘A back-of-the-net winner’
The i
★★★★★
‘Tremendous’
Telegraph
★★★★★
‘The beautiful game in a beautiful play’
WhatsOnStage
★★★★
‘A brilliant fusion of sport and art’
Evening Standard
★★★★
‘Pitch-perfect’
The Times
★★★★
‘What winning looks like’
Financial Times
★★★★
‘Will put a smile on your face’
The Stage
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
Gallery
On stage
In rehearsal
Cast
Nick Barclay
Nick Barclay’s work in theatre includes Dear England at the National Theatre (also in the West End)
Josh Barrow
For the National Theatre: Dear England (2025, 2023 and in the West End) and If Not Now, When?
Tashinga Bepete
For the National: Dear England at the National Theatre (also in the West End)
Bill Caple
For the National: Dear England
Gunnar Cauthery
For the National Theatre: Dear England (2025, 2023 and in the West End), Another World: Losing Our Children to Islamic State, The Suicide, This House and The White Guard
Will Close
For the National: Dear England (also in the West End)
Crystal Condie
For the National Theatre: London Tide, Dear England (also West End), All of Us and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Joseph Fiennes
For the National: Dear England (also in the West End) and Love’s Labour’s Lost
Will Fletcher
For the National: Dear England (also in the West End)
Sean Gilder
For the National: Dear England
Ebenezer Gyau
For the National: Dear England
Darragh Hand
For the National: Dear England (also in the West End)
Will Harrison-Wallace
For the National Theatre: Dear England (2025, 2023 and in the West End) and The Lehman Trilogy (also in the West End and Park Avenue Armory, New York)
Miranda Heath
For the National: Dear England (also in the West End) and The Ocean at the End of the Lane
John Hodgkinson
For the National Theatre: Dear England (2025, 2023 and in the West End)
Adam Hugill
For the National: Dear England
Albert Magashi
For the National: Dear England (also in the West End)
Kel Matsena
For the National: Dear England (also in the West End)
Gina McKee
For the National: Dear England
Lewis Shepherd
For the National: Dear England (also in the West End)
Paul Thornley
For the National: Dear England (also in the West End), London Road, Noises Off and The Miracle
Tony Turner
For the National Theatre: Dear England (2025, 2023 and in the West End), The Visit, This House, Burnt by the Sun, Present Laughter, Playing with Fire, The UN Inspector and The Alchemist
Ryan Whittle
For the National Theatre: Dear England (2025, 2023 and in the West End) and Othello
Production team
Writer
James Graham
James Graham
For the National Theatre: Dear England (2025, 2023, in the West End, at the Lowry and on UK tour), This House (Cottesloe, Olivier, in the West End and on tour) and Boys from the Blackstuff (Liverpool’s Royal Court, the National Theatre and in the West End)
Director
Rupert Goold
Rupert Goold
For the National Theatre: Dear England (2025), The Effect, Earthquakes in London and Time and the Conways
Set Designer
Es Devlin
Es Devlin
For the National Theatre: Dear England (2025, 2023 and at Prince Edward), Coriolanus, The Motive and the Cue (also Noël Coward), The Lehman Trilogy (also West End, Broadway and on tour), The Crucible, Light Shining in Buckinghamshire and Ugly Lies the Bone
Costume Designer
Evie Gurney
Evie Gurney
For the National Theatre: Dear England (2025, 2023 and in the West End), The Grapes of Wrath, Much Ado About Nothing and Antony and Cleopatra
Lighting Designer
Jon Clark
Jon Clark
For the National Theatre: Dear England (2025, 2023, in the West End and UK tour), The Importance of Being Earnest, The Effect (also The Shed, NY), The Motive and the Cue (also West End), The Lehman Trilogy (also Broadway, West End and international tour), Manor, Absolute Hell, Amadeus, As You Like It, The Beaux Stratagem, Hamlet, Othello, The Effect (2012), Collaborators, A Woman Killed with Kindness, Greenland, Pains of Youth, Our Class, Damned by Despair, Women of Troy, The Cat in the Hat, Beauty and the Beast and Hansel and Gretel
Co-Movement Director
Ellen Kane
Ellen Kane
For the National Theatre: as co-movement director, Dear England (2025), and as choreographer, Ballet Shoes and Dear England (2023; also at Prince Edward)
Co-Movement Director
Hannes Langolf
Hannes Langolf
For the National Theatre: as co-movement director, Dear England (2025); movement and choreography for Dear England (2023; also at Prince Edward), Can We Talk About This? (as choreography assistant for DV8 and on international tour) and JOHN (as Creative Associate and performer for DV8 and on international tour)
Co-Sound Designer
Dan Balfour
Dan Balfour
For the National Theatre: Dear England (2025, 2023 and in the West End)
Co-Sound Designer
Tom Gibbons
Tom Gibbons
For the National Theatre: Dear England (2025, 2023 and in the West End), Coriolanus, The Antipodes, Home, I’m Darling (also West End), People, Places and Things (also West End; 2016 Olivier Award for Best Sound Design), Hedda Gabler, Sunset at the Villa Thalia and The Red Barn
Additional Music
Max Perryment
Max Perryment
For the National Theatre: Dear England (2025, 2023 and in the West End)
Video Designer
Ash J Woodward
Ash J Woodward
For the National Theatre: as video and projection designer includes Dear England (2025 and 2023), Ballet Shoes, Coriolanus, Roald Dahl’s The Witches and Hex
Casting Director
Bryony Jarvis-Taylor
Bryony Jarvis-Taylor
For the National Theatre: Dear England (2025, 2023 and in the West End), Ballet Shoes, Coriolanus, London Tide, Dear Octopus, Roald Dahl’s The Witches, The Odyssey, Dixon and Daughters, Romeo and Julie, Much Ado About Nothing, Trouble in Mind, Hex, After Life, Dick Whittington, The Visit, My Brilliant Friend and Peter Gynt
Dialect Coach
Richard Ryder
Richard Ryder
For the National Theatre: Dear England (2025 and 2023), Coriolanus, Jane Eyre, One Man, Two Guvnors, A Taste of Honey, NT 50 Years On Stage, HOME, This House, Port, Cocktail Sticks and Hymn
Associate Director
Elin Schofield
Elin Schofield
For the National Theatre: Dear England (2025) and LOVE at Park Avenue Armory and on European tour
Associate Set Designer
Associate Lighting Designer
Ben Jacobs
Ben Jacobs
For the National Theatre: associate work for Dear England (2025 and 2023) and ANNA