Joseph Fiennes Plays Ball in Dear England
A cover story commission for the Premiere Edition of London Theatre Magazine, to shoot portraits of the Shakespeare in Love & The Handmaid’s Tale star as he returns to the West End stage in James Graham’s hit National Theatre play, Dear England.
![Joseph Fiennes and the cast of Dear England for London Theatre Magazine](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/image-38.jpeg)
Last month, I was lucky enough to be asked to shoot the first ever cover story for a brand new, print publication: London Theatre Magazine.
Even better, the subject was Joseph Fiennes & castmates from the National Theatre’s Dear England, the James Graham-penned hit about Gareth Southgate, the England team & us as a nation.
A Tight Game
![Joseph Fiennes and the cast of Dear England for London Theatre Magazine](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/image-39.jpeg)
The concept had to be tight: we’d be shooting with the cast as themselves, not in character or costume, in a pop up studio at the theatre & in a narrow time window during technical rehearsals.
The show has just triumphantly transferred to the West End from the NT, so design team ConcepTonic & I chose an idea themed around transfer signing imagery.
- I created a red & blue-gelled, Three Lions-esque lighting state to echo shots familiar from Sky Sports lineups & Premier League instagram accounts, with a nod to Nick Eagle’s stunning work.
- Stylist Sophia Pardon whistled up an array of sporty-but-stylish leisure wear for the 4 cast members.
- In 10 mins with each actor & the group, we captured punchy, sporty, colourful imagery packed with energy for the transfer concept, then switched up the lighting to capture more classic portraiture.
Will Close, Denzel Baidoo & Albert Magashi all brought charm, charisma & classic footballer posing.
Terrible London traffic almost cost us our time with Joseph, but he made it at the last minute & was as unruffled as Southgate during a dead-rubber Euro qualifier.
He even played ball, & gave us our cover shot.
Back of the net! Check out the magazine spreads & other imagery we shot below.
The First Team
![](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/image-40-1200x1799.jpeg)
![](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/image-41-1200x1799.jpeg)
![](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/Dear-England-_Joseph_Fiennes_5641_v1-Michael-Whalrey-2023-1200x1749.jpg)
![](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/image-42-1200x1799.jpeg)
![](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/Dear-England-_Joseph_Fiennes_5671_v1-Michael-Whalrey-2023-1200x800.jpg)
The Matchday Programme
![](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/PXL_20231123_0759196812-1-scaled.jpg)
![](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/image-43.jpeg)
![](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/london-theatre-magazine-index-michael-wharley-joseph-fiennes.jpg)
![](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/image-44.jpeg)
![](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/image-45.jpeg)
![](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/london-theatre-magazine-article-2-michael-wharley-joseph-fiennes.jpg)
The Backroom Staff
Creative Director: David Gregory
Art Direction: Michael Wharley & Steven DeVries
Styling: Sophia Pardon
Hair & makeup: Becca Lymbourides
Digi & Lighting: Emma Pottinger
Assistant: Ruben Davies
Retouch: Matt Brewin
The B Team
A broader palette of the imagery we shot.
![](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/Dear-England-_Joseph_Fiennes_5621.jpg)
![](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/Dear-England-_Denzel_Baidoo_5028-Michael-Whalrey-2023.jpg)
![](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/Dear-England-_Will_Close_5374-Michael-Whalrey-2023.jpg)
![](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/Dear-England-_Albert_Magashi_5189_v1-Michael-Whalrey-2023.jpg)
![](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/Dear-England-_Denzel_Baidoo_5012-Michael-Whalrey-2023.jpg)
![](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/Dear-England-_Denzel_Baidoo_5107-1-Michael-Whalrey-2023.jpg)
![](https://michaelwharley.com/wp-content/uploads/Dear-England-_Joseph_Fiennes_5636.jpg)
Dear England, (dir Rupert Goold), plays at the Prince Edward Theatre until Jan 2024.