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THE OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING BEST PLAY RETURNS MARCH 2025
Following a record-breaking run in the West End, the Olivier-Award winning smash hit returns to the National Theatre ahead of a 4-week run at Lowry, Salford.
It’s time to change the game. The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t England’s men win at their own game?
The 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.
Gwilym Lee (Bohemian Rhapsody; SAS Rogue Heroes, BBC) will play former England manager Gareth Southgate in the return of this ‘thrilling drama’ (Evening Standard).
Writer James Graham (Sherwood, BBC; Punch, Nottingham Playhouse) updates his epic examination of nation and game to reflect Gareth Southgate’s final chapter as England manager. Rupert Goold (Patriots; Best of Enemies) once again directs this ‘back-of-the-net winner’ (The i), with set design by Es Devlin (Coriolanus, The Lehman Trilogy).
Please note this is a fictionalised account of the struggles and successes of England’s football teams, based on extensive research and interviews. It features characters inspired by some real-life individuals, and some composite characters entirely imagined by the author.
Gwilym Lee
Gareth Southgate
Gwilym Lee
Gareth Southgate
Gwilym Lee’s work in theatre includes Danton’s Death and Oedipus at the National Theatre; Versailles, King Lear (also at the Brooklyn Academy of Music) and Hamlet (also West End and on Broadway) at the Donmar; The Promise at Trafalgar Studios; Diminished at Hampstead Theatre; and Richard III at the RSC. TV includes The Great, SAS Rogue Heroes, Top End Bub (upcoming), Jamestown, Fresh Meat and Midsomer Murders. Film includes Bohemian Rhapsody, Here, Top End Wedding, Oddity, The Tourist and The Last Witness.Full casting to be announced