Smash hit football play Dear England is to head to Salford in a regional theatre exclusive, it has been announced today.
The Lowry is to host the National Theatre’s acclaimed show for a four-week run in Salford from 29 May to 29 June 2025, following the production returning to the National Theatre from 10 March to 24 May.
James Graham’s Olivier Award-winning play, directed by the Almeida Theatre’s Artistic Director, Rupert Goold, tells the story of the England men’s football team under Gareth Southgate. The original show followed the run-up and aftermath to three tournaments under the England manager's steer.
READ MORE: "Please use us before it's too late" - cafe's emotional plea
As the nation watches the drama unfold at this summer’s UEFA EURO 2024, it has today been announced that the critically acclaimed play will evolve to include this year's European championship too. Producer say it will "continue to examine the crucial role the England team and manager play in English society".
Tickets for both The Lowry and the National Theatre will go on sale to the General Public on Friday 14 June 2024 at 10am, coinciding with the start of the UEFA EURO 2024 tournament. However Lowry Members will have the chance to buy tickets from Thursday June 6.
Director of the National Theatre, Rufus Norris, said: "Dear England is a captivating examination of football, leadership and English identity that has already resonated with so many people, and we now have the unique opportunity of restaging it with a script which will reflect the outcome from this summer’s Euros.
"In bringing the narrative right up to 2025, we acknowledge how pertinent and urgent the work is – a living, breathing play that cuts straight to the heart of our nation’s psyche. James and Rupert have created such a special show, and we’re thrilled that even more audiences in London and Greater Manchester will have the chance to experience it.’
Playwright James Graham said: "To continue the life of Dear England feels like coming top of the group and moving onto the knockout stages - it's genuinely thrilling, and I'm so grateful to all the audiences who supported the show. Knowing that we welcomed thousands of people who had never see a play before was a huge honour for us all, but also a responsibility. We hope to continue that mission in London and now in Salford too."
CEO of The Lowry, Julia Fawcett said: "The National Theatre is one of our founding partners - and over the last twenty-five years they have played an incredibly important role - helping develop our programme and build our audiences for world class drama.
"It’s a partnership that continues to grow and develop and this run of Dear England is a unique and incredibly special event. With football being so integral to the whole culture of the North West, we know that this production is going to really resonate with our audiences. But first…..this summer’s Euros!”
Dear England reunites writer James Graham with director Rupert Goold for the play described as a "gripping examination of both nation and game". Goold will be joined by set designer, Es Devlin; costume designer, Evie Gurney; lighting designer, Jon Clark; movement directors, Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf; sound designers, Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons and video designer, Ash J Woodward. Casting is by Bryony Jarvis-Taylor, dialect coach is Richard Ryder and associate director is Elin Schofield.
The original production saw Joseph Fiennes play Gareth Southgate to huge critical acclaim. Casting for the new production is yet to be announced.
Dear England was originally commissioned by the National Theatre and developed with the theatre’s New Work department. It had its world premiere in the Olivier theatre on 20 June 2023.
Following a sold-out run, Dear England transferred to the Prince Edward Theatre, in London’s West End, from 9 October 2023 to 13 January 2024 where it broke box office records.
Dear England was subsequently released to cinemas through National Theatre Live on 24 January 2024 and has been screened almost 2,500 times across the UK. The BBC has also recently commissioned a four-part drama of Dear England based on the stage production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Tickets for The Lowry run of dates for the play will be on sale priced from £20.
