The world premiere of James Graham's Dear England, which opened June 20 at the National Theatre's Olivier, will transfer to the Prince Edward Theatre in London’s West End beginning October 9. The limited run is scheduled to continue through January 13, 2024, with opening night set for October 19.
Telling the story of England's men's football team and team manager Gareth Southgate, played by Joseph Fiennes (Othello, Shakespeare in Love, The Handmaid's Tale), the new play sold out its limited engagement at the National Theatre, which continues through August 11. Tickets for the West End engagement will be released to the public August 11.
Said National Theatre Director and Chief Executive Rufus Norris: “We’re delighted to be transferring Dear England to the Prince Edward Theatre. James’s brilliant play takes the topic of football and uses it as a fascinating lens on English identity, leadership, flawed masculinity, and how we see ourselves and are seen on a very different world stage. The production has been playing to packed houses all summer creating an electrifying buzz in the auditorium, with Joseph Fiennes’ pitch-perfect portrayal of Gareth Southgate."
Fiennes is joined at the National by 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 are Nick Barclay, Tashinga Bepete, Will Harrison-Wallace, and Miranda Heath, with cast members playing additional roles in the ensemble.
Rupert Goold (Spring Awakening) directs the production, which features 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 serves as dialect coach.
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