Heartbreak, hope, and heroism hang heavily on every hallowed pitch, with The National Theatre’s Dear England at Milton Keynes Theatre this week.

The England Football Team in action

For a nation built on football, defeat has become a familiar companion. Penalty after penalty, the England men’s team has stumbled where others have thrived, carrying the weight of expectation and heartbreak.

At the heart of it all stands Gareth Southgate, tasked with the near-impossible: confronting years of disappointment, reshaping the team’s mindset, and guiding a restless nation toward redemption. The journey isn’t just about winning matches, it’s about restoring belief, rewriting history, and reclaiming the pride that has long eluded English football.

James Graham’s writing is intelligent, witty, and sharply observant, casting an unsparing eye over the culture of football fandom. Drawn from extensive interviews and research, the play incorporates direct quotations from players, the press, and public statements, grounding its drama in real voices. It traces the highs and lows of Southgate’s career, from the guilt and shame of his 1996 penalty miss to the immense responsibility of carrying the nation’s hopes as England manager. The story is one of nostalgic heartbreak, suspense, and fleeting triumph, with relentless criticism from peers and fans ever-present. Yet under Southgate’s leadership, the country discovered renewed hope, a shared sense of pride and unity as he guided millions through the rollercoaster of expectation and emotion.

Gareth Southgate

The staging is minimal, stark, and haunting, rendered in black and white and anchored by the centre circle. Projections of Wembley Stadium, videos, audio clips, and footage from past tournaments blend seamlessly, allowing history to loom over the action. Much of the play is rooted in the changing room, with instantly recognisable lockers and each player’s shirt hanging in silent anticipation. Atmospheric lighting heightens the tension, shifting subtly to reflect pressure, isolation, and collective hope. The soundtrack - from The Great Escape and Bittersweet Symphony to Vindaloo, World in Motion, Sweet Caroline, and Freed from Desire, evokes the memories of every World Cup and European Championship, giving goosebumps and transporting audiences back to the emotions of each moment.

One of the most poignant elements of the play is its exploration of penalties and the psychology behind them. England’s players rush forward in an average of just 2.4 seconds, never looking at the goalkeeper or their teammates, eyes fixed on the floor. In contrast, Germany, the most successful team, takes an average of 8.4 seconds - time to breathe, think, and own the moment. It is a vivid depiction of a team carrying trauma, the collective burden of past failure, where each player stands utterly alone in the most pressurised seconds of their career.

Beyond the game itself, the show touches on broader themes: racism, sexism, and what it truly means to represent your country, complicated for some of the players in very personal ways. Choreographed training sessions and penalty drills are performed with slick precision, bringing the sport to life on stage while highlighting the human element behind every match.

The play also captures the impossible nature of the England manager’s role: thankless, scrutinised, and burdened with the power to disappoint an entire nation. It lays bare the crushing responsibility of leading a country that believes victory is its right, and the emotional toll of carrying, and sometimes shattering, the dreams of millions.

As a lifelong football fan, there were moments when some of Southgate’s decisions felt frustrating or lacking in creativity, yet the impact of his tenure on English football is undeniable. The country came together, united in hope, pride, and passion, an achievement as inspiring as it is enjoyable. Ultimately, Southgate delivered one of the most remarkable unbroken runs in British football history, second only to Sir Alf Ramsey. He is a hero, a great ambassador for the sport, and this play celebrates that legacy.

Gareth Southgate was my Man of the Match. David Sturzaker’s performance was astonishing, capturing the mannerisms, quiet authority, and character of a man attempting to repair a broken England team while the ghosts of his past play out in public view. I genuinely felt I was watching the real Southgate on stage.

I loved how this play completely pulled me in. I relived every moment, transported to each game depicted, remembering the joy, the elation, the heartbreak, and the tears. At times it was profoundly sad, and I really felt for Gareth-for his hopes, his dreams, and the way he so clearly deserved success. Yet you don’t need to be a football fan to be moved by Dear England. It is gripping, funny, and deeply human. Audiences are swept along by a story that can be painful and heartbreaking, opening old wounds and bringing tears, yet ultimately leaving you uplifted. Every game becomes a lifelong memory, a reminder that football is about far more than the score; it is about how it brings people together.

Book your tickets at MK Theatre Box Office, but hurry, they are nearly all gone!