Full casting has been unveiled for the world premiere of Dear England by James Graham (Best of Enemies) at London's National Theatre. Previews will begin in the Olivier June 10 ahead of its June 20 opening night and a limited engagement through August 11.
Joining the cast are Gina McKee (My Policeman, Bodyguard) as Pippa Grange, Josh Barrow as Jordan Pickford, Gunnar Cauthery as Gary Lineker, Will Close as Harry Kane, Crystal Condie as Alex Scott, Will Fletcher as Jordan Henderson, Sean Gilder as Sam Allardyce, Darragh Hand as Marcus Rashford, John Hodgkinson as Greg Clarke, Adam Hugill as Harry Maguire, Albert Magashi as Jadon Sancho, Kel Matsena as Raheem Sterling, Abdul Sessay as Bukayo Saka, Lewis Shepherd as Dele Alli, Paul Thornley as Mike Webster, Tony Turner as Greg Dyke, and Ryan Whittle as Eric Dier.
Completing the company will be Nick Barclay, Tashinga Bepete, Will Harrison-Wallace, and Miranda Heath, with cast members playing additional roles in the ensemble.
They join the previously announced Joseph Fiennes (Othello, Shakespeare in Love, The Handmaid's Tale) who stars as team manager Gareth Southgate of England's men's football team. Pippa Grange, who will be played by McKee, was Head of People and Team Development at The Football Association 2017-2019 and was also a sports psychologist. National Theatre Director Rufus Norris described Dear England in a statement as "a captivating examination into the complex psychology of the much loved 'beautiful game.'"
Rupert Goold (Spring Awakening) will direct the production which will feature set design by Es Devlin, costume design by Evie Gurney, lighting design by Jon Clark, movement direction by Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf, sound design by Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons, and video design by Ash J Woodward. Casting is by Bryony Jarvis-Taylor and Richard Ryder will serve as dialect coach.
The National Theatre will also be partnering with Football Beyond Borders (FBB), an organization which works to help young people from areas of socio-economic disadvantage who are passionate about football re-engage in schooling and finish with the skills and grades needed to successfully transition to adulthood. Through the partnership, Dear England and FBB will publish a Zine featuring letters that address themes of the play through the perspective o young people living in England today. Other opportunities will include free tickets for FBB young people, and workshops centered around Dear England.
Visit NationalTheatre.org.uk.
