Dear England

Dear England at Milton Keynes Theatre is a gripping, surprisingly emotional piece of theatre that works just as well for non-football fans as it does for those who can recite England’s penalty history in their sleep. At its heart is Gareth Southgate, a man still haunted by his infamous miss in 1996, stepping into the job that nobody wants and attempting to reshape not just a team, but a national psyche.

What could have been a predictable sports drama becomes something far richer. James Graham’s script delves into identity, pressure, masculinity and mental health, examining how a culture of fear and blame can quietly sabotage even the most talented group of people. Southgate’s decision to bring in psychologist Pippa Grange becomes the emotional backbone of the story, taking the crippling pressure off the team and removing the expectation to win.

The staging is brilliantly inventive. Rather than literal recreations of matches, the production uses flashing lights, pulsing music and immersive sound design to evoke the tension and drama of penalty shootouts. It’s theatrical, cinematic and hugely effective, bringing you straight back to moments of shared national anxiety. There’s also plenty of humour, particularly in the sharply observed characterisations of the players and the parade of Prime Ministers during Southgate’s tenure, giving the whole thing the feel of a whirlwind tour through recent British history.

David Sturzaker delivers an outstanding performance as Southgate, capturing both his quiet, thoughtful leadership and the weight of expectation that never quite leaves him. Eastenders' Samantha Womack is equally compelling as Pippa Grange, grounding the production with warmth, intelligence and emotional clarity. Together, they anchor a strong ensemble who bring real energy and authenticity to the piece.

Even though the broad strokes of the story are familiar, the play never feels predictable. It’s not really about winning trophies; it’s about what success means, how we process disappointment, and what happens when we choose compassion over criticism. By the end, Dear England feels less like a sports drama and more like a hopeful meditation on change.

Uplifting, funny, and deeply human, this is a must-see production that proves you don’t need to love football to be completely won over.