England: home of football, but haunted by defeat. Dear England follows Gareth Southgate as he takes on the toughest job in sport—reviving a national team weighed down by history, heartbreak, and a famously bad record at penalties. As the nation watches from the sidelines, Southgate must dig deep into what leadership, identity, and success really mean—on and off the pitch.

Written by James Graham (Best of Enemies, Tammy Faye) and directed by Rupert Goold (Patriots), this Olivier Award-winning play blends thrilling drama with real-life sport to capture a moment of national reckoning. Gwilym Lee (Bohemian Rhapsody) takes on the role of Gareth Southgate in this updated revival, which reflects the final chapter of his time as England manager. The set is designed by Es Devlin, bringing the pitch to life with sweeping scale and precision.

Following its acclaimed original run and West End transfer, Dear England returns to the National Theatre for a limited run before heading on a UK tour. It’s a powerful and moving portrait of football, failure, and the quiet revolution of a man who dared to change the game