The National Theatre’s Olivier Award-winning smash hit Dear England comes to Plymouth’s Theatre Royal in September kicking off a highly anticipated 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 for this inspiring, at times heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting story of Gareth Southgate’s revolutionary tenure as England manager.

Leading the cast as England manager Gareth Southgate, will be David Sturzaker with East Enders and Mount Pleasant actress Samantha Womack playing the role of team psychologist Pippa Grange.

"I'm thrilled to be taking on the role of Gareth Southgate, it's a great responsibility and an honour to be playing him,” said David Sturzaker.

“ He’s been an inspiring figurehead for many, rebuilding a team, and the country’s self-belief at what is possible, on and off, the football pitch. This is one of the aspects of the play that resonates most for me - the ability of football, and sport in general, to extend its reach beyond the game, to unite us and inspire us in our lives beyond the sport itself.

“ It's also hugely exciting to be involved in a production that has already been such a hit in London and Salford. I'm looking forward to taking Dear England on tour across the country, giving many more people the opportunity to see this fantastic show.”

Likewise actress, Samantha Womack, who takes the the role of Pippa Grange is excited to be returning to the stage

It's a wonderful piece of theatre - entertaining and thought-provoking as well as incredibly staged,” she said.

“I am also fascinated by Pippa Grange and her impact on England men's team during her term as Head of People and Team Development at the Football Association during Gareth Southgate’s tenure. She fundamentally changed the culture and, in turn, the course of sporting history by teaching the squad to embrace their fears and she's an extremely inspiring role to take on.

“I can't wait to delve in and get back to touring around the country with this fantastic show."

The National Theatre will run a year-long schools engagement programme inspired by Southgate’s ‘Dear England’ open letter that he wrote to England fans in 2021. This programme, which will prompt young people across the UK to reflect on their own place in history, just as the footballers in Southgate's squad were encouraged to do, is in response to this year being the 80th anniversary of the Second World War.

It will be delivered in schools across England with assemblies and workshops using spoken word and sound design to support students to share the hopes and aspirations they have for themselves, and other young people, 80 years from now.

The production runs at TRP from September 15 to 20. For ticket details and performance times check the website https://theatreroyal.com.