David Sturzaker and Samantha Womack are now in rehearsals for the UK tour of Dear England, which will visit New Wimbledon Theatre in February 2026.
Sturzaker plays England manager Gareth Southgate and Womack is team psychologist Pippa Grange, as James Graham’s acclaimed play about Southgate’s revolutionary tenure in charge of the England gfootball team goes out on the road following its West End run in 2023.
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.
The cast also includes Jake Ashton-Nelson as Jordan Henderson, Luke Azille as Jadon Sancho, Ian Bartholomew as Greg Dyke, Jass Beki as Bukayo Saka, Ashley Byam as Raheem Sterling, Steven Dykes as Sam Allardyce, Courtney George as Alex Scott, Oscar Gough as Harry Kane, Jayden Hanley as Marcus Rashford, Connor Hawker as Harry Maguire, Miles Henderson as Ensemble, Tom Lane as Eric Dier Ian Kirkby as Gary Lineker, Jack Maddison as Jordan Pickford, Liam Prince-Donnelly as Dele Alli, and George Rainsford as Mike Webster. Stuart Ash, Natalie Boakye, Ebube Chukwuma, Sam Craig, and Alex Wadham complete the company. The cast will be playing additional roles as part of the ensemble.
Dear England is directed by Rupert Goold with set design by Es Devlin. The creative team also includes includes costume designer Evie Gurney, lighting designer Jon Clark, co-movement directors Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf, video designer Ash J Woodward, co-sound designers Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons, with additional music by Max Perryment.
They are joined by tour revival director Connie Treves, revival movement director Tom Herron, casting director Bryony Jarvis-Taylor, associate set designer Alice Hallifax, associate lighting designer Ben Jacobs, associate video designer Libby Ward, associate sound designer Johnny Edwards, casting associate Lilly Mackie and resident director Dan Hutton.
Dear England was originally commissioned by the National Theatre and developed with the theatre’s New Work department. Its world premiere was on June 20, 2023 in the Olivier theatre. Following a sold-out run, Dear England transferred to the Prince Edward Theatre in London’s West End, from October 9, 2023 to January 13, 2024, where it broke box office records.
In February 2024, the BBC announced it had commissioned a four-part drama of Dear England based on the stage production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Dear England returned to the National Theatre in spring 2025, updated to reflect the 2024 UEFA EURO tournament and Gareth Southgate’s final chapter as England manager.
This 2025/2026 national tour of Dear England is a coproduction between National Theatre Productions and JAS Theatricals.
After beginning the tour this September, it plays at New Wimbledon Theatre from February 24-28. Tickets here.
Top image: David Sturzaker in rehearsals for Dear England. Photo credit Marc Brenner (image supplied)