It shoots, it scores! Dear England hits the back of the net!
Naomi MacKay watched Dear England, which runs at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 24 January.
James Graham’s Dear England has been one of the most successful and talked-about British plays of the last few years, and its new touring production demonstrates exactly why. Originally premiering at the National Theatre in 2023 before a sold-out West End transfer, the play’s national tour brings this powerful, deeply human story to audiences across the UK – and, judging by its reception, it loses none of its power on the road.
If you go into Dear England expecting a dry, tactical deep dive into football management, don’t worry – this show is way more fun, emotional and human than that. Even if you’re not the sort of person who knows their 4-4-2 from their xG, the touring production still pulls you in and keeps you hooked from the first whistle to the last.
At its heart, Dear England is about Gareth Southgate trying to fix the English men’s football team, not just on the pitch but in their heads. The show leans heavily into the idea that England’s biggest opponent has always been itself – the fear, the history, the endless ‘what ifs’. What’s surprising is how well that idea works on stage. You’d think team talks and penalty shootouts might feel flat in a theatre, but the clever sound design, lighting and fast-paced scene changes keep everything feeling tense and alive.
The touring cast deserve huge credit. David Sturzaker as Southgate captures that calm, thoughtful energy perfectly – all quiet authority and gentle stubbornness. Samantha Womack is quietly compelling as Dr Pippa Grange, the psychologist brought in to help the team confront their fears.
They are surrounded by a strong ensemble who switch between players, coaches, pundits and politicians at lightning speed. Several of the young cast members are making professional or theatre debuts – not that you’d know it.
Courtney George takes on three character roles including Theresa May, whose physical presence is captured beautifully, and there are amusing cameos from former England managers including Sven-Goran Eriksson (played by Ian Kirkby, who also pulls off a laid-back Gary Lineker) and dear departed former Watford manager Graham Taylor. In fact the actors switch in and out of characters so quickly, one wonders if they know who they are from one moment to the next.
Steven Dykes as Physio Phil has some cracking lines, delivered with great comic gusto. The humour lands especially well, with plenty of knowing nods to press conferences, tabloid outrage and England fans’ eternal cycle of hope and heartbreak. There are lots of laughs, even during moments that are actually pretty painful if you’ve ever watched England lose on penalties (again).
Footballers portrayed include goalie Jordan Pickford – an audience favourite as Jack Maddison plays him to great comic effect, and Milton Keynes’ own Dele Alli (expect a loud cheer from the audience!). Liam Prince-Donnelly manages to capture both his cheeky chappie persona, as well as his darker personal struggles off the pitch.
Ashley Byam’s Raheem Sterling brilliantly conveys the heartbreak and frustration of England’s black players as they experience racism while representing their country.
It’s part of what really makes Dear England stand out – how emotional it gets. Beneath the jokes and football chants, there’s a genuinely moving story about mental health, leadership and the pressure of representing an entire country. Scenes focusing on the players’ anxiety, self-doubt and public scrutiny hit hard without feeling preachy. It’s rare to see footballers portrayed as fully rounded people rather than just egos or heroes, and the show handles that with real warmth.
The staging is slick without being showy. Video projections, moving set pieces and music are used smartly to create the feeling of stadiums, changing rooms and TV studios without ever overcomplicating things.
By the end, Dear England leaves you feeling oddly hopeful. It’s not just about winning matches, but about changing the culture around failure, masculinity and success.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan, a casual viewer, or someone who normally avoids football chat altogether, Dear England is smart, funny and surprisingly uplifting theatre, which fully deserved the standing ovation it received in Milton Keynes.
On a final note, it was refreshing to see so many men of all ages at the theatre. From boys dressed in footie kit, to teenage football clubs, and groups who looked like they were more at home cheering on their team from the terraces rather than the theatre balcony, Dear England brought a whole new audience to Milton Keynes theatre. Long may it continue!
Book your tickets now at atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes.
Image © Marc Brenner