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Dear England at the Lowry

by James Graham

A lone figure stands, his back to us, wearing a waistcoat, shirt and trousers, in the centre of the red cross of the England flag that appears as a landscape rolling off into the distance.

Booking and details

29 May — 29 June 2025
Visit the Lowry website
The event location is

Lowry, Salford

The Quays
Salford
M50 3AZ

Get directions

The event duration is Approx 2 hours and 50 minutes including interval

All ticket requests for performances at the Lowry are managed by the Lowry.

The Olivier Award-winning smash hit is coming to Salford

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?

The 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.

Writer James Graham (Punch, Nottingham Playhouse; Sherwood, BBC) updates his epic examination of nation and game to reflect Gareth Southgate’s final chapter as England manager. Rupert Goold (Patriots, Cold War, Almeida Theatre) once again directs this ‘back- of-the-net winner’ (★★★★★ The i).

Please note this is a fictionalised account of the struggles and successes of England’s football teams, based on extensive research and interviews. It features characters inspired by some real-life individuals, and some composite characters entirely imagined by the author.

Other ways to experience Dear England at the Lowry

In theatres

Olivier Theatre
South Bank
Until 24 May 2025

James Graham’s Olivier-Award winning smash-hit returns to the National Theatre prior to its run at the Lowry. Directed by Rupert Goold.

Dear England

In theatres

National tour
From 15 September

Our Olivier Award-winning smash hit kicks off a highly anticipated national tour this Autumn.

Dear England National Tour

Reviews

Evening Standard review for Dear England

★★★★★

‘A theatrical spectacle as uplifting as any England victory.’

Telegraph

inews review for Dear England

★★★★★

‘A back-of-the-net winner’

The i

What's on Stage revew for Dear England

★★★★★

‘The beautiful game in a beautiful play’

WhatsOnStage

5 Reviews

Gallery

Open Gallery Dialog: 12 images A football coach in a suit intently talks to their players on the field. Players wear white football shirts with red numbers. The setting is a bright stadium with an illuminated structure in the background.
A football coach in a suit intently talks to their players on the field. Players wear white football shirts with red numbers. The setting is a bright stadium with an illuminated structure in the background.
A football coach in a suit intently talks to their players on the field. Players wear white football shirts with red numbers. The setting is a bright stadium with an illuminated structure in the background.
View 12 images
A person stands in front of a wooden background, wearing a dark Nike jacket with an emblem on the chest. They have short brown hair and are clasping their hands. A football player in a red uniform and captain's armband kicks a ball mid-air in a stadium with digital displays. A goalie in a green uniform stands at the goalpost in the background. The scoreboard reads A goalkeeper in a bright green uniform crouches in focus, ready to defend. Behind, a team in red football shirts lines up, slightly blurred. They stand in front of a white, illuminated goal. A person in a dark waistcoat energetically raises their arms with fists clenched, appearing to shout or celebrate. They stand in front of a dynamic, abstract background featuring geometric shapes and contrasting light patterns. A football player in a yellow bib takes a selfie with a smartphone on a lit stage. Behind, two teammates wearing orange bibs stand near large display screens. The mood is cheerful and energetic. A lively stage performance with actors in colourful costumes, including a Morris dancer's outfit and football kits. The background displays Football players in red football kits celebrate on stage under bright lights and a scoreboard showing A football team of eleven players stands in a semi-circular formation within an illuminated circular stage. Ten wear red football kits and one, the goalkeeper, wears green. A futuristic backdrop features lights in an arching pattern. A group of football players, sitting and smiling. A person in a waistcoat stands, raising their fist in excitement. The background is a vibrant red. The scene conveys a lively and enthusiastic moment. A person stands centre stage surrounded by about people in colourful costumes, including construction gear, sports attire, and clown outfits, reaching towards the person in the middle with microphones, cameras, and notepads. The scene is lively and dynamic. A football team in white football shirts with red numbers stands in a dimly lit room. One player is positioned slightly ahead and facing forward. Coaches and team members stand on either side. A curved light shines above, creating a dramatic effect.

Production images

Videos

A group of people, including football players in white football shirts and navy shorts, some officials in suits, and others in casual attire, stand in a line on a stage. The background is dark, and there are silhouetted hands in the foreground.
Play Video

Audience reactions

Ten people stand in a row on a dark stage with their hands behind their backs. Nine of them wear red football kits with long white socks, and one standing in the centre wears a bright green football kit with long white and green socks.
Play Video

Stage trailer

Suitability

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

Supporters

The commissioning of this production was supported by the Sir Peter Shaffer Charitable Foundation.

The original production at the National Theatre was generously supported by the Dear England Team of Production Champions.

Cast includes

Matt Bardock
Matt Bardock photo portrait

Matt Bardock

Mike Webster

Josh Barrow
Josh Barrow photo portrait

Josh Barrow

Jordan Pickford

Jass Beki
Jass Beki photo portrait

Jass Beki

Ensemble

Jude Carmichael
Jude Carmichael photo portrait

Jude Carmichael

Marcus Rashford

Artistic team

Writer

James Graham

James Graham

Director

Rupert Goold

Rupert Goold

Set Designer

Es Devlin

Es Devlin

Costume Designer

Evie Gurney 

Evie Gurney 

Lighting Designer

Jon Clark

Jon Clark

Co-Movement Director

Ellen Kane

Ellen Kane

Co-Movement Director

Hannes Langolf

Hannes Langolf

Video Designer

Ash J Woodward

Ash J Woodward

Co-Sound Designer

Dan Balfour

Dan Balfour

Co-Sound Designer

Tom Gibbons

Tom Gibbons

Additional Music

Max Perryment

Max Perryment

Revival Director

Elin Schofield

Elin Schofield

Casting Director

Bryony Jarvis-Taylor CDG

Bryony Jarvis-Taylor CDG

Dialect Coach

Richard Ryder

Richard Ryder

Voice Coach

Cathleen McCarron

Cathleen McCarron

Voice Coach

Shereen Ibrahim

Shereen Ibrahim

Associate Lighting Designer

Ben Jacobs

Ben Jacobs

Revival Movement Associate

Thomas Herron

Thomas Herron

Associate Sound Designer

Johnny Edwards

Johnny Edwards

Staff Director

Connie Treves

Connie Treves

 

 

Photography by Rick Guest and CGI by Rob Rae