The National Theatre has announced today that its highly-praised, sold out production of Dear England (currently playing at the Olivier Theatre) will transfer to the Prince Edward Theatre in London’s West End for a strictly limited run later this year. They shoot, they score!
The new play, written by James Graham and directed by Rupert Goold, tells the turbulent story of the England men’s football team under the management of Gareth Southgate. Having premiered at the Olivier Theatre back in June, the production has been highly celebrated and is now heading into extra time as it transfers to its new home in the heart of the West End.
With Joseph Fiennes reprising his role as Gareth Southgate, Dear England will play its first performance at the Prince Edward Theatre on October 9 and will run for 14 weeks only.
This fictionalised account of the trials and tribulations faced by the England men’s football team has been based on extensive research and interviews. This game-changing play features characters based on real-life individuals as well as some characters which have been entirely imagined by the author.
Dream team, James Graham and Rupert Goold, have worked together on previous successful productions and have reunited for this gripping examination of both nation and game.
Playwright, James Graham, said: “to put the National Game on the stage of the National Theatre has been an utter dream and, in particular, to see the subject matter draw in new audiences to watch a play. It fills me with such excitement and joy to be bringing Rupert’s euphoric and entertaining production to the West End, with all its incredible movement and music and – what seems to be, for audiences so far – a deeply moving story inspired by the incredible journey of the men’s England football team.”
Director, Rupert Goold, said: “I have thoroughly loved making Dear England with James, at the National Theatre. We have an incredible team of artists and actors and it’s been a joy to see audiences so engaged with this production, many of whom were young people visiting theatre for the first time. I can’t wait to transfer it to the West End and give even more people the opportunity to experience this brilliant play.”
The creative team will also include 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. Further casting will be announced soon.
Tickets for Dear England go on sale on August 11 at 10am with ticket prices starting from £20.
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