Dear England

Dear England at Liverpool Empire Theatre

Why see Dear England?

Southgate, You're The One

It shoots, it scores across the UK!

The Olivier-winning play Dear England by James Graham is back for its first-ever UK tour after a sell-out run, following its critically acclaimed stint at London's National Theatre. Plus, talks of a four-part BBC One drama are in the works!

Gareth Southgate's transformation of the England men's national football team - in both the hearts and minds of the nation - is celebrated and explored in Dear England. This gripping play charts the glory, heartache, and cultural reset of the Three Lions over the past decade under Southgate's command.

Inheriting a squad of underperforming celebrity footballers with a culture of glitz, glamour and ego, Southgate's reign as England manager has seen him quietly transform the national team into a grounded group of individuals seen by many to represent not just the country's top talent, but also the breadth of modern English society; players who stand up for societal issues outside of the game and, importantly, who have achieved feats on the pitch not seen in generations, uniting and inspiring even those who were not normally football fans. 

Key Information

Audience

Please note: This performance contains offensive language, strobe lights, bright lights directly focused at the audience and loud noises throughout.

Run Time

Two hours and 50 minutes including interval

Dates

3 - 7 Mar 2026

Upcoming Performances

Cast

  • David Sturzaker as Southgate
  • Samantha Womack as Pippa Grange
  • Jass Beki as Bukayo Saka
  • Courtney George as Alex Scott
  • Tom Lane as Eric Dier
  • 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
  • George Rainsford as Mike Webster

Further cast

Stuart Ash, Miles Henderson, Natalie Boakye, Sam Craig, and Jonathan Markwood

Please note: The producers can't guarantee the appearance of any performers on any specific date.

Creative

  • Written by James Graham
  • Directed by Rupert Goold
  • Set design by Es Devlin
  • Costume design by Evie Gurney
  • Lighting design by Jon Clark
  • Co-movement direction by Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf
  • Video design by Ash J Woodward
  • Co-sound design by Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons
  • Additional music by Max Perryment
  • Revival Direction by Elin Schofield
  • Casting Direction by Bryony Jarvis-Taylor
  • Dialect Coach Richard Ryder
  • Voice coaches Cathleen McCarron and Tasmin Newlands
  • Associate Lighting Design by Ben Jacobs
  • Associate sound designer Johnny Edwards
  • Staff Direction by Connie Treves

Awards

2024 Olivier Awards

  • Best New Play
  • Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Will Close

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