The National Theatre’s Dear England to play Leeds Grand Theatre

The National Theatre brings the highly anticipated tour of its Olivier Award-winning ‘Best New Play’, Dear England to Leeds Grand Theatre from Tue 4 to Sat 8 November 2025, in a co-production with Josh Andrews and Stuart Galbraith of JAS Theatricals.

Dear England is written by the multi-award-winning stage and screen writer, James Graham (Punch, West End; Sherwood, BBC One), directed by the Almeida Theatre’s Artistic Director Rupert Goold (Patriots, Ink; Almeida Theatre/West End/Broadway) with set design by Es Devlin ( Beyonce’s Renaissance, World Tour; The Lehman Trilogy, National Theatre).

Writer James Graham said: “I am beyond delighted and grateful that Dear England is heading out on a nation wide tour across England. To put the National Game on the stage of the National Theatre and then in the West End back in 2023 was an utter dream. Now, to head out on a nation wide tour feels like winning the treble.

“As someone from a community that had limited access to culture growing up, I’m especially aware of how vital it is to share work of such a scale beyond the capital. And as a lifelong theatre and England fan, the chance to tell a story about the beautiful game through the prism of Gareth Southgate’s transformative term has been a privilege. I think he has been a remarkable leader, and it fills me with great excitement and joy that we get to share Rupert’s euphoric and entertaining production, with all its incredible movement and music, once more with audiences around the country.

“Leading the cast in ‘the decade’s biggest theatrical triumph’ (★★★★Daily Telegraph) will be David Sturzaker as England manager Gareth Southgate, with East enders and Mount Pleasant actress Samantha Womack playing the role of team psychologist Pippa Grange. Football and non-foot ball fans alike will be brought to their feet for this inspiring, at times heart-breaking, and ultimately up lifting story of Gareth Southgate’s revolutionary tenure as England manager.

Actor David Sturzaker said: “I’m thrilled to be taking on the role of Gareth Southgate. It’s a great responsibility and an honour to be playing him. He’s been an inspiring figurehead for many, rebuilding a team, and the country’s self-belief at what is possible, on and off the football pitch. This is one of the aspects of the play that resonates most for me-the ability of football, and sport in general, to extend its reach beyond the game, to unite us and inspire us in our lives beyond the sport it self. It’s also hugely exciting to be involved in a production that has already been such a hit in London and Salford. I’m looking forward to taking Dear England on tour across the country, giving many more people the opportunity to see this fantastic show.”

Actress Samantha Womack said: “I am so excited to be returning to the stage to perform in Dear England. It’s a wonderful piece of theatre-entertaining and thought-provoking as well as incredibly staged. I am also fascinated by Pippa Grange and her impact on England men’s team during her term as Head of People and Team Development at the Football Association during Gareth South gate’s tenure. She fundamentally changed the culture and, in turn, the course of sporting history by teaching the squad to embrace their fears and she’s an extremely inspiring role to take on. I can’t wait to delve in and get back to touring around the country with this fantastic show.

“Premise: It’s time to change the game. The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. The England men’s 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.

Dear England plays at Leeds Grand Theatre Tue 4–Sat 8 November 2025. Tickets are available here.