Dear England tour – review at Milton Keynes theatre

Football and the theatre. It doesn’t seem like it would be a good mix. But the play Dear England proves that wrong. I saw Dear England at Milton Keynes theatre on the 2026 tour, on the opening night. 

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The play, written by James Graham was originally playing at the National Theatre to critical and fan acclaim. It tells the story of Gareth Southgate from his downfall as the player whose penalty miss put England out of the World Cup in 1996. Through to how he changed the England men’s football team through new methods.

The set was simple but worked really well. The pitch makes use of movable lockers, and the actors speak interspersed with videos and narration to tell the story.

While the story is serious, there’s a lot of funny moments, including locker room quips. It makes you wonder how much is real, and whether the writers worked with Southgate or the players to create the dialogue.

As well as the managers, support staff and players, the story brings in the psychological Dr Pippa Grange played by Samantha Womack. Southgate brought her in to work with the whole staff and team, to unlock the whys and how’s behind the previous and current performances and how to make the team believe without feeling the pressure.

It was interesting to see how the penalties process was changed (to me as a non footballer, you wonder why it wasn’t always done the same way they changed it to)

While the cast was never going to match the players in looks and accents perfectly, generally the acting was believable. You saw the little behaviours on stage that you recognise from the players you see on the tv matches or in interviews. I did thinkthe guy playing Jordan Henderson looked more like Harry Kane but the characterisation of both was good. And it did make me chuckle with Rashford being the shortest guy in the team.

Casting does make me wonder whether the actors all had to learn the relevant accents, play a bit of football, and how many they had to audition to get the right team. 

The former managers of Sven Goran Ericksen, Graham Taylor and Fabio Capello got a lot of laughs whenever they came on stage.

The staging manages the training and match scenes, as well as the behind the scenes. I thought it was cleverly done, and really clear where the conversations and feelings were at as the story progresses.

Samantha Womack was brilliant playing the psychologist Pippa, and kept up the Australian accent throughout. Her reluctance to take the job, but then interest and the trust she got from the players was believable to how you’d imagine it wouldnt have gone in real life.

David Sturzacker as Southgate was very good too. He got across the quiet, thoughtful nature, the belief that the team and everyone should be aiming for happy and enjoyment in the game. And the fact he was allowed to do something so totally different to previous managers was inspiring for all other leaders in building a high performing team.

The end of the play is when Southgate resigns after 10 years having taken England to their 2nd Euros final. The final Sweet Caroline, complete with dad dancing, and the bows made it feel like the cast were having the tome of their lives in the play. Maybe playing in a team, and being in a play is the same feeling of belief and respect for the team you’re in.

I only vaguely follow football (the exception being my one season obsession of playing fantasy league with N’s football team). I’m definitely not a super fan (well, maybe when it comes to the big competitions). But I loved Dear England.

It’s a shame N didn’t want to see it because I think he’d have enjoyed it. We didn’t see it at the cinema because he wasn’t 15 yet, but the theatre production was 10 years+ recommendation. Apart from one group of secondary school kids, I didn’t see any other children. There was quite a bit of swearing, and it was fairly long with 1 interval. Im not sure id take a child under 13, just because the psychology and emotional aspect that is a big part would just pass them by. 

It’s a moving show (I did have a few tears in a couple of places – yes I’m a softy). Football fans will enjoy it, but if you’re just interested in people, teams or even celebrities it’s worth a watch if the tour comes near you.