The man who would be Shankly will be revealed this morning at – where else – the home of Liverpool Football Club.
Scottish actor Jonathan Watson will be at Anfield to be unveiled as the man filling the boots of the legendary Liverpool manager in a play based on his final days in the job.
The 51-year-old has been chosen for the title role in the The Shankly Show, after producers exclaimed his performance was like being in the presence of the man himself.
Writer Andrew Sherlock said: “As soon as Jonathan uttered the first lines it was like an electric shock – you would swear Bill Shankly himself was in the room.”
The Shankly Show has been commissioned as part of Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture celebrations and receives its gala premiere on April 24 at the Liverpool Olympia.
Shankly, who fans still worship for setting Liverpool FC on the path to dominating the English game, was in charge of Liverpool from 1959 to 1974.
He was famed for his empassioned quotes including “There are only two teams in Liverpool – Liverpool and Liverpool Reserves”, and the oft misquoted: “Someone said ‘football is more important than life and death to you’ and I said, ‘listen, it’s more important than that’.”
Watson, a graduate of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, and whose career has spanned theatre, TV, radio and film, was chosen after a series of auditions last month.
Auditions were held in Liverpool and Glasgow in the hunt to find the right man for the job.
He said: “As a Scot, and a fan of football, I am really looking forward to the challenge of playing the part of Shankly – a man whose influence, character, and determination touched not just a football club, but a city as well. I am very proud to be a part of The Shankly Show.”
Mr Sherlock added: “The auditions threw up some great actors and we had a typical manager’s selection headache – but Jonathan’s was closest to the look and feel of Shankly. He will bring that bit of magic that the great man was famous for.’’
The Shankly Show is a brand new production in two acts, 45 minutes each way – the first in black and white, the second in colour.
Producers describe it as an “epic celebration of a Liverpool hero”.
One of Shankly’s granddaughters is expected to be in Liverpool tomorrow to see Mr Watson unveiled.
The play is one of 14 Liverpool Commissions by the Liverpool Culture Company and is set to be one of the theatrical highlights of Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture.
Scottish actor Jonathan Watson will be at Anfield to be unveiled as the man filling the boots of the legendary Liverpool manager in a play based on his final days in the job.
The 51-year-old has been chosen for the title role in the The Shankly Show, after producers exclaimed his performance was like being in the presence of the man himself.
Writer Andrew Sherlock said: “As soon as Jonathan uttered the first lines it was like an electric shock – you would swear Bill Shankly himself was in the room.”
The Shankly Show has been commissioned as part of Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture celebrations and receives its gala premiere on April 24 at the Liverpool Olympia.
Shankly, who fans still worship for setting Liverpool FC on the path to dominating the English game, was in charge of Liverpool from 1959 to 1974.
He was famed for his empassioned quotes including “There are only two teams in Liverpool – Liverpool and Liverpool Reserves”, and the oft misquoted: “Someone said ‘football is more important than life and death to you’ and I said, ‘listen, it’s more important than that’.”
Watson, a graduate of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, and whose career has spanned theatre, TV, radio and film, was chosen after a series of auditions last month.
Auditions were held in Liverpool and Glasgow in the hunt to find the right man for the job.
He said: “As a Scot, and a fan of football, I am really looking forward to the challenge of playing the part of Shankly – a man whose influence, character, and determination touched not just a football club, but a city as well. I am very proud to be a part of The Shankly Show.”
Mr Sherlock added: “The auditions threw up some great actors and we had a typical manager’s selection headache – but Jonathan’s was closest to the look and feel of Shankly. He will bring that bit of magic that the great man was famous for.’’
The Shankly Show is a brand new production in two acts, 45 minutes each way – the first in black and white, the second in colour.
Producers describe it as an “epic celebration of a Liverpool hero”.
One of Shankly’s granddaughters is expected to be in Liverpool tomorrow to see Mr Watson unveiled.
The play is one of 14 Liverpool Commissions by the Liverpool Culture Company and is set to be one of the theatrical highlights of Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture.
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