Shakespeare in Love star Joseph Fiennes will play Gareth Southgate in a new National Theatre play about how the England football team has changed during his time in charge.
Casting for other parts, including actors to play England captain Harry Kane and Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, has yet to be announced for the play which is called Dear England.
Former Crystal Palace defender Southgate took over as England manager in 2016 and his successful stint in the job has seen him lead the team to a World Cup semi-final in 2018, the final of Euro 2020 and the quarter-finals of last year’s World Cup.
The play is written by James Graham, whose credits include the hit TV show Sherwood and Quiz which was inspired by the coughing scandal on Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, and will look at how Southgate used his own experience of missing a vital penalty at Euro 96 to inspire his team.
Graham, whose previous work includes the political drama This House at the National, said: “To tell this story of the national game on the stage of the National Theatre is just the greatest thrill, if an intimidating responsibility. The experience of working on This House at the National Theatre 10 years ago changed my life as an emerging writer. Now, with Dear England, to be given the opportunity to shine a light on another public institution in the form of the England men’s football team is, I know, an exciting opportunity.
“What Gareth Southgate has attempted in his quiet cultural reform of England football I find epic and deeply moving. And I’m so grateful to be surrounded by some of British theatre’s most exciting creative talent to unite around this new show.”
National Theatre Director Rufus Norris said the play, which opens in June, was “a captivating examination into the complex psychology” of international football.
The theatre also announced its production of The Crucible, Arthur Miller’s classic retelling of the Salem witch trials, will transfer to the West End playing at the Gielgud Theatre from June 7 until September 2.
