Dear England - Milton Keynes Theatre

Dear England, is in Milton Keynes Theatre this week.  This award-winning play tells the story of the man who was once only famous for missing a penalty.  But 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 show’s name comes from Gareth Southgate’s ‘Dear England’ open letter that he wrote to England fans in 2021.

I need to say that I am not really a fan of football.  I came to see Dear England hearing good things but wondered if the subject matter would influence my enjoyment.  Well let me put the record straight.  Dear England, is a goal at the world cup!  It’s funny.  It’s emotive.  It’s powerful.  It’s one of the best plays I have ever seen.  It feels fresh and its educational.

I loved the staging.  It’s minimal with lockers and chairs as props which really work in this show.  The show cleverly uses images of old football games.  There is a big ring light above the stage which is an integral part of the show.  The show tells the story of English football – not old history but recent history.  The history of Gareth Southgate from being famous for missing that penalty to becoming the most successful England manager in history.

The acting was sublime and the whole cast were just outstanding.  David Sturzaker as England manager, Gareth Southgate, is incredible.  He absolutely encompasses Southgate and wins the hearts of not only the England team, but of the nation and the Milton Keynes audience.  David rocks the waistcoat too.  Thanks, David, for bringing the country together.  The wonderful Samantha Womack plays Pippa Grange and her impact on the England team is just as valuable as Southgate’s.  I didn’t know the story of Pippa at all so this was completely new to me, but Sam was great in the role that helped redefine football.  I do need to mention the prime ministers, who are hilarious caricatures, especially Theresa May.  I loved that interpretation and loved the re-enactment of iconic games.  I loved the freeze frame. This is such a compelling show to watch.

I feel so emotional about this show, and this has surprised me.  I had my hands up against my face, wishing the scores would be different even though I knew what the outcome would be feeling the hurt and pain of just missing that last hurdle once more.  I may not be a football fan, but I am a fan of a how the game brings the whole country together united for one purpose – to bring football home.  After all, us Englanders are very aware that we haven’t won a men’s world cup since 1966.  It’s a different story for the women’s game.  I felt so much pride when the women’s team comes out with the World Cup trophy.  Did you know that until Southgate, the women’s football team could not play until the men were done for the day?  Well done to Gareth for that alone.  That is pretty amazing.  This show is powerful and dramatic, and is not afraid to tackle the dark and nasty side of the game with racism from so called fans of the game.  The second half talks about what the English flag means to you.  It’s a topic I hope people go away and think about.

I know Southgate and remember the penalty he missed.  The whole nation does.  But he changed his story.  From being remembered for missing a penalty to being the most successful England manager there has ever been.  That is a story worth telling and I hope inspires others to change their story too.

The National Theatre’s tour of Dear England is at Milton Keynes Theatre until Sat 24 January 2026. Come on England!