Dear England heads to LOWRY with a story that goes well beyond football

Football may be the canvas, but what the National Theatre’s smash-hit production Dear England paints is a story far deeper than sport alone.

Fresh from its sell-out run at London’s National Theatre and a record-breaking West End transfer, James Graham’s Olivier Award-winning play arrives at LOWRY from 29th May to 29th June, bringing with it a deeply human portrait of belief, failure, and what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself.

Dear England at LOWRY

Set against the backdrop of Gareth Southgate’s transformative reign as England manager, Dear England explores how a once-cursed national team dared to change, on and off the pitch. Directed by Rupert Goold, the production captures more than just penalties and press conferences—it’s a powerful meditation on masculinity, identity, and collective healing.

But don’t just take our word for it. The cast, led by Gwilym Lee as Southgate, gave us a behind-the-scenes insight into the emotional and physical depth this show demands, and what it’s like preparing for match day under the theatre’s bright lights.

For Gwilym Lee (Bohemian Rhapsody, SAS Rogue Heroes), portraying Southgate isn’t about mimicry, it’s about meaning.

“We’re not impersonators. We’re actors,” he said. “The aim is to try and find the humanity of the character, and a little of yourself in that too. This is very much my Gareth. I’m not doing a Rory Bremner impression. That’s a different craft.”

Playing a public figure still very much in the spotlight carries a unique pressure. But Gwilym approaches it with care: “So much is already there—video, interviews, footage. But rather than copy him, I kept asking: why does he move like that? What drives him? And once you answer those questions, it’s not just about physicality—it becomes character.”

Gwilym’s co-star Liz White (Life on Mars) plays Dr Pippa Grange, the psychologist who helped shift the mindset of the England men’s team. Liz was drawn to Grange’s calm authority and her nuanced understanding of loss.

“She talks about how to lose. That can sound defeatist, but it’s not. It’s reflective. It’s about using loss to fuel the next step. I’ve genuinely taken her words to heart.”

A cast of lions

Returning to the role of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is Josh Barrow, who first played the Everton shot-stopper during the show’s original run.

“Pickford’s got this energy—like an engine at the back that never stops running,” Josh said. “But the trick is not to turn him into a caricature. There’s this version of him that we all see on the pitch. But I was interested in: Who is he in the locker room? What’s he like at school? What’s he like off-duty?”

Josh’s performance captures both the raw intensity of a keeper in the zone and the vulnerability of a young man under pressure. “You can feel it. When the audience is holding their breath during the penalty scenes, even though they know the outcome—it’s electric.”

Jude Carmichael, making his stage debut as Marcus Rashford, agrees. “Even though we’re acting, you really do get swept up in it. You know what’s coming, but it still hits. It’s that blend of the personal and the collective, you feel it with the crowd.”

Jude is no stranger to high-stakes performance. “I played basketball for England growing up. So the mindset—the preparation, the pressure—it all felt familiar. But this is my theatre debut, and honestly? It’s been the most special experience of my life.”

From the Olivier to LOWRY

The production, which won Best New Play at the 2024 Olivier Awards, has been freshly updated to reflect Gareth Southgate’s final chapter as manager. The Lowry dates form part of a much-anticipated regional tour and coincide with the venue’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

The Salford run will feature a four-week stint from 29th May to 29th June, including BSL, audio-described, and captioned performances to ensure it can be enjoyed by as many people as possible.

And there’s much to enjoy. Directed by Rupert Goold and written by the prolific James Graham (Sherwood, This House), Dear England has earned its reputation as a modern classic. From the inventive set design by Es Devlin to the movement direction by Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf, every element evokes the spirit of a nation on the edge of triumph and heartbreak.

“Football Is Just the Starting Point for Dear England”

As audiences will quickly discover, Dear England is far more than a sports story.

“There’s a great line in the play,” said Liz. “Pippa says, ‘It’s not about being 1-0 up. It’s about integrity. About going out there, doing the work, and standing tall no matter the outcome.’ That’s a win.”

Josh echoes the sentiment: “Everyone has that ‘Wembley moment’ in their own lives. Whether it’s getting a book deal, nailing an interview, or just having the courage to show up. That universal feeling of achievement? That’s what this play taps into.”

And yet, it’s also deeply rooted in a collective British identity. One of the play’s most moving segments recalls the pandemic and how the 2021 Euros offered a glimmer of togetherness after a dark period.

“We needed it,” said Gwilym. “And when Southgate wrote his open letter to England, it was this galvanising call for unity. James Graham’s script captures that perfectly—the pride, the pain, and the belief that we’re better when we come together.”

For all its emotional depth, Dear England knows when to let loose. Audiences often arrive unsure what to expect—and leave dancing.

“It’s not your typical theatre experience,” laughed Jude. “We’ve had actual football fans in the crowd, chanting, booing, cheering. It’s wild—but we feed off that.”

The show culminates in a celebratory rendition of Sweet Caroline, a euphoric nod to the summer of 2021. “It turns into a party,” said Josh. “And the more the audience leans in, the more powerful it becomes.”

Gwilym agrees: “In rehearsals, we talked about A’s, B’s, and C’s—football fans, theatre fans, and people who don’t know either world. The play speaks to all of them. Some come for the sport and stay for the story. Others come for the story and leave loving the sport.”

A new kind of national storytelling

The wider cast includes Liz White (Dr Pippa Grange), Josh Barrow (Jordan Pickford), Jude Carmichael (Marcus Rashford), and Ryan Whittle as Harry Kane, alongside new additions including Gamba Cole as Raheem Sterling, Ryan Donaldson as Harry Maguire, and Matt Bardock as Mike Webster.

Together, they form a tight ensemble that shifts seamlessly between locker room banter and emotional reflection. Supported by a creative team of leading industry figures and backed by the National Theatre, Dear England is more than a play—it’s a national event.

With a BBC drama adaptation in the works and a recent NT Live cinema release, the show continues to expand its reach. But for now, all eyes are on the Lowry.

“It’s Gladiatorial. It’s Theatre. It’s England.”

As Josh Barrow puts it, “When you’re standing there, about to take that penalty in front of a roaring crowd—it’s not just sport. It’s gladiatorial. It’s theatre.”

And that’s the genius of Dear England. Whether you live and breathe the beautiful game or can’t tell your Rashford from your Rooney, this play meets you where you are—and lifts you up.

At its core, it’s about resilience. About learning how to lose. And about the possibility that—just maybe—next time, it’ll be different.

Because as Southgate once said, “What we’re a part of is an experience that lasts in the collective consciousness of our country.”

And Dear England is set to become just that.

Tickets for Dear England at LOWRY

Dear England runs from 29th May – 29th June 2025 at the Lowry, Salford. You can get tickets by clicking here

Assisted performances:

• BSL: 7th & 11th June

• Captioned: 11th June

• Audio Described: 18th & 28th June