The National Theatre announces the return of its smash-hit production of Dear England by James Graham

The Olivier Award-winning Dear England will return to the National Theatre in Spring 2025, followed by a 4-week run at The Lowry, Salford.

The National Theatre has announced that its smash-hit production of Dear England will return to the Olivier Theatre from 10 March to 24 May 2025, followed by a four-week run at its Theatre Nation Partner, The Lowry in Salford, from 29 May to 29 June 2025.  

James Graham’s Olivier Award-winning play, directed by the Almeida Theatre’s Artistic Director Rupert Goold, tells the story of the England men’s football team under Gareth Southgate. As the nation watches the drama unfold at this summer’s UEFA EURO 2024, Graham’s critically acclaimed play will evolve to include this key European championship – continuing to examine the crucial role the England team and manager play in English society.   

Tickets for both the National Theatre and The Lowry will go on sale to the General Public at 10am on Friday, 14 June 2024, coinciding with the start of the UEFA EURO 2024 tournament.

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 seen 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!”

Dear England reunites writer James Graham (Punch, Nottingham Playhouse; Sherwood, BBC) with director Rupert Goold (Patriots; Tammy Faye, Broadway) for this gripping examination of both nation and game. Goold will be joined by set designer Es Devlin, costume designer Evie Gurney, lighting designer Jon Clark, co-movement directors Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf, co-sound designers Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons and video designer Ash J Woodward.  Casting is by Bryony Jarvis-Taylor, the dialect coach is Richard Ryder, and the associate director is Elin Schofield.