Gareth Southgate to be played by award-winning actor in new London theatre show about England’s football revival
AWARD-WINNING actor Joseph Fiennes has been booked to play the role of Gareth Southgate in a London theatre production.
The ‘Dear England’ play will chronicle Southgate’s highs and lows during his seven-year spell as Three Lions boss.
It is written by acclaimed playwright James Graham and takes its name from a letter Southgate penned to supporters before the Euro 2022 final.
Ex-England defender Southgate, 52, was appointed national team boss in 2016 and led them to a World Cup semi and Euros final before this winter’s last-eight showing at Qatar 2022.
The Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy two years ago was England’s first appearance in a major final since they won the World Cup on home soil in 1966.
Southgate’s missed shoot-out penalty in a Euro 1996 semi-final clash against Germany made him a household name for all the wrong reasons.
But the likable former Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough star has been taken back into the nation’s football fans’ hearts after his success as England manager.
And his journey will be recreated at the National Theatre for the public to enjoy.
Fiennes, who has starred in major films like Enemy At The Gates and Shakespeare in Love, will attempt to do Southgate justice in the play.
The play’s synopsis says: “The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss.
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“Why can’t England’s men win at their own game?
“With the worst track record for penalties in the world, 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.”