The National Theatre today announces casting news for its highly anticipated national tour of Dear England.
As the country continues to celebrate the Lionesses’ Euros victory, the National Theatre today reveals further casting for its highly anticipated national tour of Dear England.
As previously announced, heading the cast in ‘the decade’s biggest theatrical triumph’ (★★★★ Daily Telegraph) will be David Sturzaker as England manager Gareth Southgate, with EastEnders and Mount Pleasant actress Samantha Womack playing the role of team psychologist Pippa Grange.
The cast also includes returning performers Jass Beki as Bukayo Saka, Courtney George as Alex Scott, Miles Henderson as Ensemble, and Tom Lane as Eric Dier. They will be joined by new cast members Jake Ashton-Nelson as Jordan Henderson, Luke Azille as Jadon Sancho, Ian Bartholomew as Greg Dyke, Ashley Byam as Raheem Sterling, Steven Dykes as Sam Allardyce, Oscar Gough as Harry Kane, Jayden Hanley as Marcus Rashford, Connor Hawker as Harry Maguire, Ian Kirkby as Gary Lineker, Jack Maddison as Jordan Pickford, Liam Prince-Donnelly as Dele Alli, and George Rainsford as Mike Webster.
Also joining the company are Stuart Ash, Natalie Boakye, Sam Craig, and Jonathan Markwood. The cast will also be playing additional roles as part of the ensemble.
Football and non-football fans alike will be brought to their feet for this inspiring, at times heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting story of Gareth Southgate’s revolutionary tenure as England manager.
Written by the multi-award-winning stage and screen writer, James Graham (Sherwood, BBC One; Quiz, ITV) and directed by the Almeida Theatre’s Artistic Director Rupert Goold (Patriots, King Charles III), Dear England tells the uplifting, at times heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring story of Gareth Southgate’s revolutionary tenure as England manager in this gripping examination of nation and game.
What is the Play Dear England about?
It’s time to change the game. The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. The England men’s team has the worst track record for penalties in the world, and manager 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.
WEST END WILMA REVIEW: DEAR ENGLAND at London’s National Theatre ★★★★★ “a fascinating study of the beautiful game, and powerfully important of the lack of equality still evident in England”
Goold is joined by set designer, Es Devlin; costume designer, Evie Gurney; lighting designer, Jon Clark; co-movement directors, Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf; video designer, Ash J Woodward; co-sound designers, Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons with additional music by Max Perryment.
Dear England was originally commissioned by the National Theatre and developed with the theatre’s New Work department. Its world premiere was on 20 June 2023 in the Olivier theatre. Following a sold-out run, Dear England transferred to the Prince Edward Theatre, in London’s West End, from 9 October 2023 to 13 January 2024, where it broke box office records.
The play has been updated following the 2024 UEFA EURO tournament to reflect Gareth Southgate’s final chapter as England manager, and Gwilym Lee (SAS Rogue Heroes, Bohemian Rhapsody) will play the iconic role of Southgate.
What UK venues is Dear England playing at?
Theatre Royal Plymouth 15 – 20 September 2025
Nottingham Theatre Royal 23 – 27 September
Marlowe Theatre Canterbury 7 – 18 October
Sheffield Lyceum 21 – 25 October
Leeds Grand Theatre 4 – 8 November
Newcastle Theatre Royal 11 – 15 November
Chichester Festival Theatre 20 – 29 November
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton 13 – 17 January 2026
Milton Keynes Theatre 20 – 24 January
New Theatre Oxford 27 – 31 January
Norwich Theatre Royal 3 – 7 February
New Victoria Theatre, Woking 10 – 14 February
The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford 17 – 21 February
New Wimbledon Theatre 24 – 28 February
Liverpool Empire 3 – 7 March
Birmingham Hippodrome 10 – 14 March
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