A small figure of a man stands with his back to the camera in the centre of a giant Cross of St George - the England football team's flag. The figure is dressed in Gareth Southgate's signature waistcoat, shirt sleeves and suit trousers.
A small figure of a man stands with his back to the camera in the centre of a giant Cross of St George - the England football team's flag. The figure is dressed in Gareth Southgate's signature waistcoat, shirt sleeves and suit trousers.

About Dear England

The National Theatre's Olivier Award-winning smash hit comes to Chichester in a highly anticipated tour. 

It’s time to change the game. The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. The England men’s team has the worst track record for penalties in the world, and 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. 

From multi award-winning writer James Graham (This House and Quiz, CFT, Sherwood, BBC) and director Rupert Goold (Patriots, Cold War), this five-star ‘new stage epic’ (Telegraph) tells the uplifting, at times heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring story of Gareth Southgate’s revolutionary tenure as England manager, in a 'gripping' (The Times) examination of nation and game.

David Sturzaker (Doctors, BBC) plays former England manager Gareth Southgate. He is joined by Samantha Womack (Eastenders, BBC; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) as team psychologist Pippa Grange.

A co-production with JAS Theatricals. 

5 Stars

As thrilling and nail-biting as a penalty shoot-out

WhatsOnStage

5 Stars

A winning drama about the beautiful game

The i

The decade's biggest theatrical triumph

The Telegraph

4 Stars

A resounding hit

Broadway World

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Content and themes

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