- Play Hard
- 15th Aug 2025
- 0
- 0 minute
A game-changer: Why Dear England is a show not to miss 2025
- Advertisement Feature
Football. Theatre. Heartbreak. Healing.
They might not seem like natural teammates, but Dear England proves otherwise.
Following a record-breaking run in London’s West End, the National Theatre’s award-winning production is heading on a UK tour, and it’s stopping off at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 11th November to Saturday 15th November 2025.
Whether you’re a die-hard England fan or couldn’t care less about the offside rule, this powerful production deserves a spot on your calendar.
The story that changed the game
Written by acclaimed screen and stage writer James Graham and directed by Rupert Goold, Dear England tells the story of Gareth Southgate’s transformative tenure as England manager, from his early days in charge to guiding the team through penalty shoot-outs to shifting the culture of a nation weighed down by years of sporting disappointment.
But this isn’t just a play about football. It’s about identity, leadership, mental health and masculinity, all seen through the lens of the ‘beautiful game’.
It’s about asking what it means to win, and what we gain when we learn to face our fears instead of hiding them.
A star-studded cast
Taking on the role of Gareth Southgate is David Sturzaker (Doctors, Journey’s End, To Kill a Mockingbird), while Samantha Womack (EastEnders, The Girl on the Train, The Addams Family) plays team psychologist Pippa Grange, the woman who helped change the emotional DNA of the England men’s team.
Together, they bring to life one of the most compelling stories that modern sport has to offer, with humour and heart.
Why it hits so hard
With a creative team including world-renowned set designer Es Devlin, movement directors, and an evocative soundscape, Dear England is more than just a stage play, it’s an experience. Think penalty shootouts reimagined through movement and sound, big emotions layered with humour, and moments that will leave you genuinely moved.
It’s as good as theatre gets, whether you’re a football fan or not, you’ll be entertained.
A national moment
The National Theatre’s commitment to taking Dear England on tour isn’t just about selling out theatres, it’s about making culture accessible. Alongside the 16-venue tour, they’re also launching a year-long schools engagement programme that’s expected to reach over 10,000 young people across the UK, encouraging students to reflect on their place in history, just like Southgate’s squad did. A message that’s never been more important.
The play is about football, but also legacy, and the role we all play in that.
Why you should see it
Dear England is a story about bravery. About choosing empathy over ego. And about what can happen when a team, and a country, learns to sit with its pain instead of sweeping it under the carpet.
Whether you love football, theatre or stories that stay with you long after the curtain falls, this one’s for you.
What to know
Dear England is showing at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 11th November to Saturday 15th November 2025.
Tickets are available from £19.00.
This one is expected to be popular, so book now to avoid disappointment.
<span class="s1"><b>BOOK NOW</b></span>
Newcastle Theatre Royal, 100 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6BR
Subscribe
Subscribe now to receive our twice-weekly emails and exclusive offers for High Life North readers.