1. Dear England Returns After Record-Breaking Success

James Graham’s Dear England was one of the most talked-about plays of recent years. Following its smash-hit West End run and Olivier Award win, the National Theatre is taking the production on a major UK tour from September 2025 to March 2026. The play tells the inspiring story of Gareth Southgate’s time as England manager, capturing the heartbreak, humour, and hope of a nation obsessed with football.

2. The Tour Kicks Off in Plymouth

Performances begin on 15 September 2025 at Theatre Royal Plymouth, before visiting 16 venues across England. Stops include Nottingham, Canterbury, Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle, Chichester, Southampton, Oxford, Norwich, Bradford, Wimbledon, Liverpool, Birmingham and more. Whether you’re in the north, south, or midlands, you’ll have the chance to see one of the decade’s most celebrated plays close to home.

3. A Star-Studded Cast

The 2025 cast is led by David Sturzaker as Gareth Southgate and Samantha Womack as team psychologist Pippa Grange. They’re joined by a talented ensemble including Jake Ashton-Nelson as Jordan Henderson, Oscar Gough as Harry Kane, Jayden Hanley as Marcus Rashford, Jass Beki as Bukayo Saka, and Ian Kirkby as Gary Lineker. Expect powerful performances that bring both the footballers and their wider story to life on stage.

4. A Creative Dream Team

Directed by Rupert Goold (Patriots, Ink) and written by multi-award-winning playwright James Graham (Sherwood, Punch), Dear England features set design by Es Devlin, known for her work with Beyoncé and The Lehman Trilogy. The result is a visually striking, emotionally charged production that has been hailed as “gripping, moving and funny… as good as theatre gets” (★★★★ The Sunday Times).

5. Schools Programme and National Impact

Beyond the stage, Dear England is sparking conversations across the country. The National Theatre is running a year-long schools engagement programme, encouraging young people to reflect on their own place in history, inspired by Southgate’s open letter to fans. With workshops, performances, and a unique time-capsule project, this initiative will reach over 10,000 students nationwide.

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⭐ Dear England is more than a play – it’s a cultural moment. Whether you’re a football fan or just love powerful theatre, the 2025–2026 UK tour is your chance to be part of it.

👉 For full dates and tickets, visit the National Theatre website.