Dear England Tickets

This Autumn, London’s theatrical landscape witnesses a monumental shift. The National Theatre's critically acclaimed and sold-out sensation finds a new home in the heart of the West End. The city's heartbeat resonates with anticipation because it's not just a play; it's a declaration: "It’s time to change the game."

England, a nation that proudly christened the world with the game of football, now grapples with a complex legacy. The motherland of the sport is intertwined with a series of heart-wrenching losses. The question lingers, poignant and heavy: Why do the men of England falter at a game that was born on their very soil? The shadow of England's infamous streak of penalty mishaps looms large, becoming a metaphor for deeper national sentiments and aspirations.

In the midst of this national soul-searching, the narrative focuses on a key figure: Gareth Southgate. Portrayed with uncanny precision by Joseph Fiennes, whose performance has been lauded as 'pitch-perfect' by Time Out, Southgate's journey unfolds. With the weight of a nation's hopes on his shoulders and the haunting past of missed opportunities, Southgate knows that to lead England to football's hallowed grounds, he must first navigate through its turbulent past.

James Graham's pen brings this poignant tale to life. His masterful storytelling combined with the visionary set designs by Es Devlin creates a captivating experience. The play has been described as a 'thrilling' journey by the Sunday Times and hailed as a 'new stage epic' by the Telegraph. It's not just a chronicle of a sport, but a deep dive into a nation's psyche, its triumphs, and its scars. Director Rupert Goold, who has previously collaborated with Graham on standout productions like Tammy Faye and Ink, once again joins forces to present a tale that is as much about a country's soul as it is about football.

Opening on the 9th of October at the iconic Prince Edward Theatre, this West End premiere promises to be an event of unparalleled magnitude. However, while the characters and events mirror reality, audiences should be cognizant that this is a reimagined tapestry of events. Drawing from in-depth research and interviews, it skillfully melds fact with fiction, with characters inspired by real-life personas while others are artistic creations birthed by Graham's imagination.

In a commitment to inclusivity, special 'Assisted performances' are slated. On Saturday, 18th November at 2 pm, an audio-described performance will ensure the visually impaired can immerse themselves in the narrative. The 4th of November sees a 2 pm show with captions, making the narrative accessible to the hearing impaired. Further, in a nod to inclusivity, a British sign language signed performance is scheduled for 7 pm on Wednesday, the 29th of November.

In conclusion, this play stands as a testament to England's undying love for football and a reflection of its cultural and emotional ties to the game. It's not merely a story of a sport, but a narrative of a nation, its dreams, its heartbreaks, and its undying spirit.