The National Theatre’s critically acclaimed and Olivier Award-winning play Dear England is set to take the stage at The Lowry for a highly anticipated four-week run from 29 May to 29 June 2025. Following its record-breaking West End run in 2023, James Graham’s epic examination of football, nation, and identity will return to the National Theatre before heading to Salford, bringing fresh updates reflecting Gareth Southgate’s final chapter as England manager.
A Star-Studded Cast
The Lowry has announced further casting for this eagerly awaited production, with Liz White (Life on Mars, BBC One) joining the ensemble as Pippa Grange, the renowned sports psychologist and former Head of People and Team Development at The Football Association. She joins Gwilym Lee (SAS Rogue Heroes, BBC One; Bohemian Rhapsody, 20th Century Fox), who takes on the pivotal role of England manager Gareth Southgate.
Returning cast members include Josh Barrow as Jordan Pickford, Gunnar Cauthery as Gary Lineker, Tony Turner as Greg Dyke, John Hodgkinson as Greg Clarke, and Ryan Whittle, who now takes on the role of Harry Kane. The production also welcomes new cast members, including Matt Bardock as Mike Webster, Jude Carmichael as Marcus Rashford, Gamba Cole as Raheem Sterling, Ryan Donaldson as Harry Maguire, Felixe Forde as Alex Scott, Kadell Herida as Jadon Sancho, Joshua Hill as Jordan Henderson, Martin Marquez as Sam Allardyce, Tane Siah as Bukayo Saka, and Tristan Waterson as Dele Alli.
The ensemble will be completed by Jass Beki, Courtney George, Will Harrison-Wallace, Jordan Ford Silver, Philip Labey, and Ellouise Shakespeare-Hart.
A Winning Creative Team
Directed by Rupert Goold (Patriots, Ink), Dear England boasts an outstanding creative team, including set designer Es Devlin, costume designer Evie Gurney, lighting designer Jon Clark, and video designer Ash J Woodward. The show also features co-movement direction from Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf, sound design by Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons, and additional music by Max Perryment.
The Story Behind the Game
At its heart, Dear England tells the story of a nation obsessed with football yet haunted by past failures. The England men's team has the worst track record for penalties in the world, and Southgate knows he must change the way his team thinks about the game to break the cycle of heartbreak. Through psychological insight, strategy, and the weight of national expectations, Dear England explores how sport is about much more than what happens on the pitch—it’s about identity, belief, and the power of transformation.
From Stage to Screen
Originally commissioned by the National Theatre, Dear England premiered in June 2023 before transferring to the West End, where it smashed box office records. The play’s impact has extended beyond the stage, with screenings through National Theatre Live and an upcoming four-part drama adaptation set to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year.
Tickets and Booking Information
With such a stellar cast and an already celebrated reputation, demand for tickets is expected to be high. The Lowry’s run of Dear England promises to be an unmissable theatrical event, so fans of theatre and football alike should act fast to secure their seats.
For more information and to book tickets, visit The Lowry’s official website.
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