Joseph Fiennes To Star In World Premiere Of Dear England

James Graham's new play about England’s football team, Dear England, will have its world premiere this summer in the Olivier Theatre, one of the National Theatre's three venues.

It will run from 10 June 2023 until 11 August 2023, with an opening night on 20 June 2023.

 Joseph Fiennes (Othello, Shakespeare in Love) will star in the role of Gareth Southgate. Additional cast will be announced at a later date.

Joseph Fiennes is an award-winning stage and film actor whose theatre credits include: Ross (Chichester Theatre), A View from a Bridge (West End), A Month in the Country (Albery Theatre); Real Classy Affair at the (Royal Court Theatre) and many others.

Rupert Goold, the artistic director of Almeida, will direct the play, with Es Devlin joining him as the set designer. Jon Clark will be responsible for light design, Evie Gurney for costume design and Ash J Woodward for video design.

The playwright James Graham (Tammy Faye) said:

“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.”

National Theatre director Rufus Norris added:

“I am delighted to be welcoming James Graham back to the National Theatre this summer with his new play. Dear England is a captivating examination into the complex psychology of the much loved ’beautiful game’.”

The National Theatre also announced Lyndsey Turner's production of Arthur Miller’s masterpiece The Crucible transferring to the West End. It is set to run from June 7 to September 2 with an opening night on June 15.