The National Theatre has announced that its production will transfer to the Prince Edward Theatre for a strictly limited run from the 9th October.
With its final performances at the National Theatre this week, it has been confirmed that James Graham’s Dear England will transfer to the Prince Edward Theatre from the 9th October for a limited 14 week run. Tickets will go on sale on the 11th August at 10am
Telling the story of the England men’s football team under Gareth Southgate, the production is directed by Rupert Goold and the West End transfer will see Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale) reprising his role as Gareth Southgate, with further casting still to be announced.
It’s time to change the game. The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t England’s men win at their own game?
With the worst track record for penalties in the world, England 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.
Having been commissioned by The National Theate, the play was developed with the theatre’s New Work department and had its world premiere in the Olivier theatre on 20th June 2023.
Playwright James Graham said, “To put the National Game on the stage of The National Theatre has been an utter dream and, in particular, to see the subject matter draw in new audiences to watch a play. It fills me with such excitement and joy to be bringing Rupert’s euphoric and entertaining production to the West End, with all its incredible movement and music and – what seems to be, for audiences so far – a deeply moving story inspired by the incredible journey of the men’s England football team.”
Meanwhile, director Rupert Goold said: “I have thoroughly loved making Dear England with James, at the National Theatre. We have an incredible team of artists and actors and it’s been a joy to see audiences so engaged with this production, many of whom were young people visiting theatre for the first time. I can’t wait to transfer it to the West End and give even more people the opportunity to experience this brilliant play.”
The creative team behind the production includes: set designer Es Devlin, costume designer Evie Gurney, lighting designer Jon Clark, movement directors Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf, sound designers Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons, video designer Ash J Woodward, dialect coach Richard Ryder and associate director Elin Schofield. Casting is by Bryony Jarvis Taylor.
Catch up with what critics had to say about the production at the National Theatre here.