Dear England
We have been given an opportunity to see Dear England for the 2pm matinee on Wednesday 18th February - this is during half term so students can bring a parent or carer too and the expectation is that students and adults will make their own way to and from the theatre. Although there will be staff attending the theatre, as it is in half term, we will not be held accountable for students whilst we are there so please ensure you are happy for your child to attend on this understanding.
Dear England is a four-part BBC drama series coming to BBC One and iPlayer in 2026, starring Joseph Fiennes as Gareth Southgate so this is an exciting opportunity to get a sneak preview of the National Theatre stage version. This National Theatre schools project will run alongside the tour of the show, visiting schools in the 16 tour areas, working directly with thousands of young people. In partnership with DCMS and partner theatres including Alhambra Theatre, the National Theatre invites schools to take part in a programme focusing on Dear England. The schools programme also takes inspiration from James Grahams’ film celebrating VE Day: The Next Morning and prompts young people to reflect on their own place in history, just as the footballers in Southgate's squad were encouraged to do. It provides a powerful opportunity for secondary school students across the country to reflect on our shared past and shape the future.
Tickets for young people and adults are £10 each and we are offering each child up to a maximum of 2 extra tickets for family members. We are offering this opportunity to students in Years 9 and 10 who are thinking of, or currently are, studying GCSE History, Citizenship or Drama. All tickets can be bought from the school shop.
This is from the show’s website:
The National Theatre’s Olivier Award-winning smash hit is now on a major national tour. 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.
Football and non-football fans alike will be brought to their feet in this joyous, five-star ‘new stage epic’ (Telegraph). From multi award-winning writer James Graham (Sherwood, BBC) and director Rupert Goold (Patriots, Cold War), Dear England tells the uplifting, at times heart-breaking, and ultimately inspiring story of Gareth Southgate’s revolutionary tenure as England manager. A trailer is available to watch here Dear England | Official Trailer | National Theatre Live
If you have any questions about this opportunity, please feel free to email rvoller@sbsj.co.uk for more information.
