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National theatre announces two new productions and reveals casting for upcoming shows

Lyndsey Turner directs Lucy Kirkwood and Dave Malloy’s new musical version of Roald Dahl’s The Witches, in a co-production with the Roald Dahl Story Company
– Jamie Lloyd directs The Effect by Lucy Prebble with a cast that includes Paapa Essiedu and Taylor Russell, in association with The Jamie Lloyd Company
– Hiran Abeysekera and Paul Bazely are cast in the revival of Anupama Chandrasekhar’s The Father and the Assassin, directed by Indhu Rubasingham
The National Theatre today announces two new productions, Roald Dahl’s The Witches, in a co-production with the Roald Dahl Story Company, and The Effect, in association with The Jamie Lloyd Company. The Witches will play in the Olivier theatre from November in a new musical version of the iconic story by Lucy Kirkwood and Dave Malloy, directed by Lyndsey Turner, whilst The Effect by Lucy Prebble will play in the Lyttelton theatre from August, directed by Jamie Lloyd. Also announced today is casting for the revival of The Father and the Assassin by Anupama Chandrasekhar, which will play in the Olivier theatre from September, directed by Indhu Rubasingham. Tickets for all three productions go on sale to the public on Thursday 27 April.
Director of the National Theatre Rufus Norris said:
‘I’m thrilled that the National Theatre and Roald Dahl Story Company are coming together for the first time to bring one of Dahl’s most enduring stories to the Olivier stage. This extraordinary, exciting production of The Witches with Lucy Kirkwood’s brilliant, witty book and Lyndsey Turner’s ambitious vision is the culmination of many years of development at the National Theatre’s exceptional New Work Department. With Dave Malloy at the musical helm, I couldn’t be more excited to be bringing this ambitious new piece of music theatre to the stage.
‘To have Jamie Lloyd returning to the National Theatre with his production of Lucy Prebble’s The Effect – a timelessly prescient play from this singular writer – is a particular joy, not least because of the two wonderful lead actors Paapa Essiedu and Taylor Russell. It’s also a great delight to welcome Hiran Abeysekera back to the NT for the first time since Behind the Beautiful Forevers, to lead a brilliant company in Indhu Rubasingham’s revival of Anupama Chandrasekhar’s hit play The Father and the Assassin.’
Roald Dahl’s The Witches
The Witches is a rip-roaring musical version of Roald Dahl’s timeless tale, filled with wit, daring and heart.
Everything you know about witches is wrong. Forget the pointy hats and broomsticks: they’re the most dangerous creatures on earth. And now they’ve come up with their most evil plan yet.
The only thing standing in their way is Luke and his Gran. But he’s ten and she’s got a dodgy heart. Time is short, danger is everywhere, and they’ve got just one chance to stop the witches from squalloping every stinking little child in England.
One of Dahl’s most loved stories, The Witches is a brilliant blend of his trademark humour and hair-raising action, featuring one of his most iconic characters, the Grand High Witch. A firm fan favourite across the generations, the book has sold over 11 million copies since it was first published.
Cast includes three-time Olivier-nominated Katherine Kingsley (The Larkins) as the Grand High Witch and BAFTA Award-winner Daniel Rigby (One Man, Two Guvnors) as Mr Stringer, alongside Julie Armstrong, Chrissie Bhima, Zoe Birkett, Daniele Coombe, Molly-May Gardiner, Tiffany Graves, Tania Mathurin, Jacob Maynard, Laura Medforth and Ben Redfern.
Directed by Lyndsey Turner (The Crucible) with book and lyrics by Olivier Award-winner Lucy Kirkwood (Mosquitoes) and music and lyrics by Tony Award-nominee Dave Malloy (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812). The set and costume designer is Lizzie Clachan with choreographer Stephen Mear, music supervisor Nigel Lilley, music director Cat Beveridge, lighting designer Bruno Poet, co-sound designers Alexander Caplen and Ian Dickinson, video designer Ash J Woodward, illusions by Chris Fisher and Will Houstoun, casting director Bryony Jarvis-Taylor, associate director Séimí Campbell, staff director Priya Patel Appleby, associate set designer Shankho Chaudhuri, associate costume designer Johanna Coe, associate choreographer Jo Morris, associate music director Natalie Pound and children’s and assistant music director Sarah Morrison.
The Witches will play in the Olivier theatre from 7 November and is recommended for ages 8+.
The Effect
In the Lyttelton theatre from August, Jamie Lloyd (Cyrano de Bergerac) directs The Effect, Lucy Prebble’s (Succession) funny and intimate examination of love and ethics.
Hearts and minds racing, Connie and Tristan are falling for each other fast. But is their sudden and intoxicating chemistry real, or a side effect of a new antidepressant? As two young volunteers in a clinical drug trial, their romance poses startling dilemmas for the supervising doctors.
Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) is cast as Tristan and Taylor Russell (Bones and All) as Connie, with further casting to be announced.
Directed by Jamie Lloyd with set and costume designer Soutra Gilmour, lighting designer Jon Clark, composer Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante, sound designer George Dennis, movement directors Sarah Golding and Yukiko Masui (SAY), , fight director Kate Waters, intimacy co-ordinator Ingrid Mackinnon and casting director Alastair Coomer CDG.
The Effect will play in the Lyttelton theatre from 1 August.
The Father and the Assassin
Director Indhu Rubasingham reunites with writer Anupama Chandrasekhar for this essential exploration of oppression and extremism.
Mahatma Gandhi: lawyer, champion of non-violence, beloved leader. Nathuram Godse: journalist, nationalist – and the man who murdered Gandhi. This gripping play traces Godse’s life over 30 years during India’s fight for independence: from a devout follower of Gandhi, through to his radicalisation and their tragic final encounter in Delhi in 1948.
The cast includes Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) as Nathuram Godse with Paul Bazely reprising his role as Mahatma Gandhi. The cast also includes Azan Ahmed, Ravi Aujla, Ayesha Dharker, Ravin J Ganatra, Raj Ghatak, Halema Hussain, Nadeem Islam, Tony Jayawardena, Nicholas Khan, Raj Khera, Hari Mackinnon, Sid Sagar and Akshay Shah.
Directed by Indhu Rubasingham with set and costume designer Rajha Shakiry, lighting designer Oliver Fenwick, movement director Lucy Cullingford, composer Siddhartha Khosla, additional music by David Shrubsole, sound designer Alexander Caplen, fight directors Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown of Rc-Annie Ltd, casting director Alastair Coomer CDG and associate set and costume designer Khadija Raza.
The Father and the Assassin will play in the Olivier theatre 8 September–14 October.
Tickets for The Witches, The Effect and The Father and the Assassin go on sale to the public on Thursday 27 April. Also going on sale via the National Theatre website are tickets to the previously announced A Strange Loop at the Barbican.
A Strange Loop
The Broadway musical sensation, A Strange Loop, a co-production with Howard Panter for Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Barbara Whitman and Wessex Grove in association with the Barbican, is transferring from New York to London this summer.
Having co-produced A Strange Loop on Broadway, some of the most influential names in entertainment – Alan Cumming, Ilana Glazer, Jennifer Hudson, Mindy Kaling and Billy Porter – reunite to produce the smash-hit musical in London when it opens at the Barbican Theatre on 17 June for a strictly limited, one-time-only 12-week season.
Nominated for 11 Tony Awards and winner of every Best Musical award in New York, Michael R. Jackson’s critically acclaimed Pulitzer Prize-winning, blisteringly funny masterwork exposes the heart and soul of Usher – a young, gay, Black writer who hates his day job, writing a musical about a young, gay, Black writer who’s writing a musical about a young, gay, Black writer…a strange loop. Usher grapples with desires, identity and instincts he both loves and loathes, all brought to life on stage by a hilarious, straight-talking ensemble. Casting is to be announced.
Michael R. Jackson is a playwright, composer, and lyricist who is a rising star in the world of contemporary writing and quickly gaining recognition as one of the most innovative voices in American theatre. His latest new musical, White Girl in Danger, is currently running, Off-Broadway, at the Tony Kiser Theatre in New York.
Directed by Stephen Brackett, choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly, with Rona Siddiqui as music supervisor, orchestrations by Charlie Rosen, scenic design by Arnulfo Maldonado, costume design by Montana Levi Blanco, lighting design by Jen Schriever and sound design by Drew Levy.
Tickets are available from £20. For further information, please visit Strangeloopmusical.com
The Odyssey: The Underworld
Celebrating five years of Public Acts, the National Theatre’s multi-location production of The Odyssey is being told in five locations in England. This epic story of resilience and hope began its journey in Stoke-on-Trent and Doncaster, with the next episodes coming to Trowbridge Town Hall on 22–23 April and The Fire Station in Sunderland on 28–29 April.
The culmination of The Odyssey’s journey, The Underworld, will be staged as a full-scale musical production at the National Theatre on 26–28 August 2023. This fifth and final production will feature community performers from all four previous episodes, as well as members recruited through Public Acts founding community partners, founding theatre partner Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, and Trybe House Theatre in London.
The Underworld is written by Olivier-award winning playwright Chris Bush with music composed by Jim Fortune and directed by Director of Public Acts Emily Lim. Set designed by Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey, movement directed by Dan Canham, costume designed by Fly Davis, music supervised and directed by Tarek Merchant, lighting designed by Joshua Pharo, sound designed by Paul Arditti and casting by Bryony Jarvis-Taylor.

April 19, 2023/by Theatre M

News

National Theatre announces upcoming programming including programming including three new productions, Shakespeare in schools and a US Tour

Simon Stone (Yerma, Young Vic) makes his National Theatre debut in the Lyttelton theatre in February, directing his striking new play Phaedra after Euripides, Seneca and Racine. After years of fierce focus on her political career, Phaedra turns her attention to her personal life. The reappearance of her stepson shakes the foundations of her house and the beliefs that have underpinned her power. As buried lust and loneliness surge to the surface, Phaedra’s actions threaten to destroy everything she has built. Janet McTeer (Ozark) takes the title role alongside Assaad Bouab (Call My Agent) and Mackenzie Davis (Station Eleven) who both make their UK stage debuts.

Set design is by Chloe Lamford, costume designer and associate set designer is Mel Page, lighting designer is James Farncombe, composer and sound designer is Stefan Gregory and associate director is Nimmo Ismail.

Standing at the Sky’s Edge, a co-production with Sheffield Theatres in association with Various Productions, will transfer to the Olivier theatre in February 2023 as it makes its London premiere following a return to the Crucible Theatre this winter. A love letter to Sheffield and ode to the iconic Park Hill Estate, Standing at the Sky’s Edge charts the hopes and dreams of three generations over the course of six tumultuous decades. Directed by Sheffield Theatres’ Artistic Director, Robert Hastie, featuring songs by Richard Hawley and with book by Chris Bush, it is a heartfelt exploration of the power of community and what it is we call home.

The cast includes Darragh Cowley, Ahmed Hamad, Samuel Jordan, Bobbie Little, Robert Lonsdale, David McKechnie, Maimuna Memon, Baker Mukasa, Alastair Natkiel, Faith Omole, Adam Price, Nicola Sloane, Jake Small, Deborah Tracey, Rachael Wooding and Alex Young.

Set and costume designer is Ben Stones, with choreography by Lynne Page, music supervisor, arranger and orchestrator is Tom Deering, lighting design by Mark Henderson, sound design by Bobby Aitken, wigs, hair & make-up design by Cynthia De La Rosa, music director is John Rutledge, the associate choreographer is Thomas Herron, assistant music director is Ehsaan Shivarani, staff directors are Thomas Herron and Elin Schofield and casting by Stuart Burt CDG.

Romeo and Julie, a new play by Gary Owen and a co-production with Sherman Theatre, opens in the Dorfman theatre in February. Two Welsh teens raised a few streets apart – but from entirely different worlds – crash into first love and are knocked off their feet. But at the crossroads to the rest of their lives, Julie’s family fears the worst in a world of unequal opportunity. Following their critically acclaimed productions Iphigenia in Splott and Killology, director Rachel O’Riordan reunites with Gary Owen to deliver his new play inspired by Romeo and Juliet. The cast includes Catrin Aaron, Paul Brennen, Anita Reynolds, Callum Scott Howells and Rosie Sheehy.

Set and costume designer is Hayley Grindle, with lighting design by Jack Knowles, sound design by Gregory Clarke and staff director is Kwame Owusu.

Tickets for Phaedra, Standing at the Sky’s Edge and Romeo and Julie go on sale to the public on Thursday 20 October.

In the Dorfman theatre from November, Indhu Rubasingham will direct the previously announced world premiere of April De Angelis‘ biting new comedy, Kerry Jackson. Fay Ripley plays Kerry, owner of a new restaurant in fashionable Walthamstow. Wearing her working-class roots as a badge of honour, Kerry navigates the local characters in a bid to make the tapas restaurant a success – without losing herself in the process. Madeline Appiah, Michael Fox, Michael Gould, Kitty Hawthorne and Gavin Spokes complete the company.

Set and costume design is by Richard Kent, lighting design by Oliver Fenwick, composer and sound design by Nicola T Chang, movement director is Lucy Hind and casting director is Juliet Horsley CDG.

An energetic retelling of Shakespeare’s most well-known tragedy, Hamlet will return to the Dorfman theatre in March and as part of a tour to 5,000 pupils in state schools in six areas including Knowsley, Lincolnshire and Essex. Introducing young audiences to the world of Shakespeare, this version is adapted for audiences aged 8–12 years old by Jude Christian (Dick Whittington, National Theatre) and originally directed by Tinuke Craig (The Colour Purple, Vassa). The revival will be directed by Ellie Hurt. Last year Hamlet was watched by over 5,600 pupils from 50 schools across England. Education packages to support teaching of the production are available for primary schools and include workshops, training and teacher resources.

Set and costumes designs by Frankie Bradshaw with lighting designed by Paul Knott. Sound is designed by Clark Henry-Brown and Dom Coyote. Music is composed and directed by Dom Coyote and the fight director is Jeremy Barlow.

National Theatre nationwide

Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane is touring the UK and Ireland from December, direct from the West End, visiting 29 towns and cities for a total of 40 weeks. Directed by Katy Rudd (Camp Siegfried, Eureka Day) and adapted by Joel Horwood (Skins, I Want My Hat Back), the first major stage adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s work is a thrilling adventure of fantasy, myth and friendship, which blends magic with memory in a tour-de-force of storytelling that takes audiences on an epic journey to a childhood once forgotten and the darkness that lurks at the very edge of it.

Returning to his childhood home, a man finds himself standing beside the pond of the old Sussex farmhouse where he used to play. He’s transported to his 12th birthday when his remarkable friend Lettie claimed it wasn’t a pond, but an ocean – a place where everything is possible…

Plunged into a magical world, their survival depends on their ability to reckon with ancient forces that threaten to destroy everything around them.

Featuring an ensemble cast of 17, the tour will open at The Lowry in Salford where it will play over Christmas (12 December 2022–7 January 2023), before visiting a further 28 venues up to September 2023. Casting is to be announced. Check oceanonstage.com for full touring schedule and to book tickets.

Bill Kenwright presents a Theatr Clwyd and National Theatre production of Home, I’m Darling. This new production begins an extensive national tour opening at Theatre Royal Windsor on 25 January 2023, with further venues to be announced.

Starring BAFTA award winner Jessica Ransom (Doc Martin, Armstrong and Miller, Horrible Histories) as Judy, this sparkling, thought-provoking comedy by Laura Wade (Posh, The Riot Club) is about one woman’s quest to be the perfect 1950s housewife. Further casting to be announced.

Home, I’m Darling received its world premiere at Theatr Clwyd in 2018, before playing at the National Theatre and then transferring to the Duke of York’s Theatre in the West End, winning the 2019 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. This production reunites the entire original creative team, led by Theatr Clwyd Artistic Director and Co-Director Designate of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Tamara Harvey. It is co-directed by Hannah Noone, with design by Olivier Award winner Anna Fleischle, lighting by Lucy Carter, sound design by Tom Gibbons and choreography by Charlotte Broom.

National Theatre in the West End

A co-production with Neal Street Productions, The Lehman Trilogy is returning to London’s West End, playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre from 24 January to 20 May 2023 for a strictly limited season. The Lehman Trilogy won a total of five 2022 Tony Awards – including Best Play and Best Director – making it the most awarded play on Broadway this season.

Written by Stefano Massini and adapted by Ben Power, the story of a family and a company that changed the world is directed by Sam Mendes. The Lehman Trilogy features a cast of three playing the Lehman brothers, their sons, and grandsons, in an extraordinary feat of storytelling told in three parts on a single evening.

The Tony Award-winning set design is by Es Devlin, with costume design by Katrina Lindsay, video design by Luke Halls, and Tony Award-winning lighting design by Jon Clark. Composition and sound design are by Nick Powell, the co-sound designer is Dominic Bilkey, with music direction by Candida Caldicot and movement by Polly Bennett. The West End director is Zoé Ford Burnett. Casting is by Jessica Ronane CDG CSA. Casting is to be announced. Tickets, including information about assisted performances, can be booked via thelehmantrilogy.com

International

Emma Rice returns with Wise Children’s Wuthering Heights, adapted from Emily Brontë’s legendary novel. Interspersed with music, dance, passion and hope, Emma Rice catapults Brontë’s brooding love story into an intoxicating revenge tragedy for our time. A co-production with Wise Children, Bristol Old Vic and York Theatre Royal, in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

This production will run at St Ann’s Warehouse, Brooklyn, New York from 14 October to 6 November 2022, before continuing to tour the US; playing at Berkeley Rep, California 18 November–2 January 2023, Wallis Annenberg, California 11–22 January 2023 and Chicago Shakespeare Theater 25 January–28 February 2023, with further dates and venues soon to be announced.

National Theatre Digital

Coming next on National Theatre Live is riotous summer comedy, Jack Absolute Flies Again, co-written by Richard Bean (One Man, Two Guvnors) and Oliver Chris (Orsino in the National Theatre production of Twelfth Night), based on Sheridan’s The Rivals. Emily Burns (The Comeback) directs this spectacularly entertaining new version of the play, with the cast including Caroline Quentin (Jonathan Creek), Laurie Davidson (Guilty Party), Natalie Simpson (Three Sisters) and Kelvin Fletcher (Emmerdale), available in cinemas worldwide from 6 October.

Anton Chekhov’s classic tale of love and loneliness, The Seagull, is broadcast to cinemas in this uniquely modernised new adaptation by Anya Reiss for The Jamie Lloyd Company. Featuring Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) in her West End debut, the full company includes Jason Barnett, Robert Glenister, Tom Rhys Harries, Mika Onyx Johnson, Gerald Kyd, Daniel Monks, Sara Powell, Indira Varma and Sophie Wu. Jamie Lloyd directs following his Olivier Award-winning production of Cyrano de Bergerac. Captured live on stage in London’s West End, The Seagull is set for release in cinemas around the globe from 3 November.

In the new year, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, directed by Lyndsey Turner (Hamlet) with set design by Tony Award-winner Es Devlin (The Lehman Trilogy), is broadcast to cinemas. This captivating parable of power includes Erin Doherty (The Crown) as Abigail Williams and Brendan Cowell (Yerma) as John Proctor and will be released in the UK and Ireland from 26 January and internationally from 2 March.

Shakespeare’s most enduring tragedy, Othello, comes to cinema screens in an extraordinary new production directed by Clint Dyer (Death of England: Parts 1, 2 and 3). Giles Terera (Hamilton) is Othello, Rosy McEwen (The Alienist) is Desdemona and Paul Hilton (The Inheritance) plays Iago. Broadcast to cinemas in the UK and Ireland from 23 February and internationally from 27 April.

On our streaming platform, National Theatre at Home, new productions available from 11 October include recent National Theatre Live broadcasts, The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage, a gripping adaptation of Philip Pullman’s prequel to His Dark Materials trilogy, adapted by Bryony Lavery for the Bridge Theatre. Audiences in the UK can also watch the National Theatre’s 2011 production of Frankenstein adapted by Nick Dear, based on the novel by Mary Shelley, and directed by Danny Boyle. There are two versions of this production available, with Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller sharing the roles of Victor Frankenstein and the Creature.

October 4, 2022/by Theatre M

News

The Boy with Two Hearts to open at the National Theatre this October

Wales Millennium Centre’s widely acclaimed adaptation of Hamed and Hessam Amiri’s The Boy with Two Hearts will open for performances in the Dorfman theatre this October, with press night on 5 October.

Directed by Amit Sharma and adapted for the stage by Phil Porter, the play is based on the book of the same name by Hamed and Hessam Amiri. Drawing on extraordinary real-life experiences, it is a powerful story of hope, courage, and humanity – and a heartfelt tribute to the NHS.

Hamed and Hessam Amiri said: “When this production was first staged at Wales Millennium Centre, it was emotional to see our family’s journey come to life on stage and to relive those many precious moments we had along the way. We were amazed by the reaction from audiences and critics as they lived those moments with us, and are so excited to be reaching an even wider audience as the play comes to the NT.

We can’t wait to share our story again with as many as people as possible. Our hope is to simply give the audience a chance to see our family’s journey through a different lens, and the human experiences behind the word refugee.”

Herat, Afghanistan, 2000. When a young mother speaks out against the Taliban, she and her husband are forced to flee their home and country with their three sons.

Embarking on a long and terrifying journey across Russia and through Europe, they seek final refuge in the UK.

But, as their eldest son’s life-threatening heart condition worsens and requires urgent surgery, their escape soon becomes a race against time.

The cast is Shamail Ali, Houda Echouafni, Dana Haqjoo, Farshid Rokey, Ahmad Sakhi and Lisa Zahra, performing alongside the award-winning Afghan vocalist and composer, Elaha Soroor.

Set and costume designer is Hayley Grindle, lighting designer is Amy Mae, sound designer and co-composer is Tic Ashfield, movement director is Jess Williams and Hayley Egan is video designer. Casting is by Sarah Hughes CDG and associate director is Sepy Baghaei.

Tickets are on sale now and available to book via the NT website.

September 6, 2022/by Theatre M

News

The Lehman Trilogy will play at the Gillian Lynne Theatre from 24 January 2023

Producers the National Theatre and Neal Street Productions announced today that the London return of the critically acclaimed, highly lauded, five-time Tony Award® winning epic THE LEHMAN TRILOGY will play for a limited 17-week season at the Gillian Lynne Theatre from 24 January 2023, with an opening night set for 8 February.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Thursday 21 July 2022 at 12 noon at TheLehmanTrilogy.com.10,000 tickets across the run will be available for £20.

American Express® Cardmembers have access to exclusive presale tickets beginning Tuesday 19 July at 10am at nationaltheatre.org.uk.

On a cold September morning in 1844, a young man from Bavaria stands on a New York dockside dreaming of a new life in the new world. He is joined by his two brothers, and an American epic begins. 163 years later, the firm they establish – Lehman Brothers – spectacularly collapses into bankruptcy, triggering the largest financial crisis in history. Weaving together nearly two centuries of family history, this New York Times Critics’ pick charts the humble beginnings, outrageous successes, and devastating failure of the financial institution that would ultimately bring the global economy to its knees.

The 2022 Tony Award® winning Best Play is written by Stefano Massini and adapted by Ben Power. Directed by multi-Academy Award®, Tony Award® and Golden Globe winner Sam Mendes, The Lehman Trilogy features a cast of three playing the Lehman brothers, their sons, and grandsons, in an extraordinary feat of storytelling told in three parts on a single evening. The decades unfold within the cinematic sweep of designer Es Devlin‘s Tony Award ® winning set. Casting to be announced.

The Lehman Trilogy was the most awarded play this season on Broadway, where alongside Best Play, Best Director and Best Set Design, it also picked up Best Lighting Design and Best Actor. It was also awarded this season’s Drama League Award for Best Play and six Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Play.

First commissioned by Neal Street Productions and developed and co-produced with the National Theatre at the Lyttelton theatre in 2018, followed by an acclaimed sold-out run at the Park Avenue Armory in the Spring of 2019, The Lehman Trilogy returned to London for a 16-week sold-out run at the Piccadilly Theatre in the West End from May to August 2019. Following Broadway’s 18-month shutdown, The Lehman Trilogy was the first British play to return to Broadway — where it had previously played four performances in March 2020 — for a much-lauded limited engagement at the Nederlander Theatre from September 2021 – January 2022. A Los Angeles transfer to Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre followed from March – April 2022.

Prior to this, the world premiere of Stefano Massini’s The Lehman Trilogy opened at the Piccolo Teatro in Milan in 2015. It turned out to be Artistic Director Luca Ronconi’s final production before his death. A long-term admirer of Ronconi’s, Sam Mendes was inspired to begin planning an English adaptation for Neal Street Productions. Ben Power was commissioned by Neal Street Productions to create a new version of this epic play, using a literal English translation by Mirella Cheeseman.

Costume design is by Katrina Lindsay, video design by Luke Halls, and lighting design by Jon Clark. The Composer & Sound Designer is Nick Powell, the Co-Sound Designer is Dominic Bilkey, with music direction by Candida Caldicot, and movement by Polly Bennett. The West End Director is Zoé Ford Burnett. Casting is by Jessica Ronane CDG CSA.

The Lehman Trilogy in the West End is supported by American Express, the National Theatre’s Preferred Card Partner.

July 13, 2022/by Theatre M

News

National Theatre summer season with leading actors from stage and screen

NT Associate Simon Godwin returns to the NT to direct Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing in the Lyttelton theatre with John Heffernan as Benedick and Katherine Parkinson as Beatrice

Laurie Davidson, Kelvin Fletcher, Caroline Quentin and Natalie Simpson lead the cast of Jack Absolute Flies Again a new comedy by Richard Bean and Oliver Chris, directed by Emily Burns in the Olivier theatre

Writer and comedian Francesca Martinez brings her debut play All of Us to the Dorfman theatre, directed by Ian Rickson

Samira Wiley makes her NT debut as Angel Allen alongside Giles Terera as Guy Jacobs in Pearl Cleage’s Blues for an Alabama Sky directed by Lynette Linton opening in the Lyttelton theatre in September

The National Theatre today announces new productions for all three South Bank stages this summer: Jack Absolute Flies Again in the Olivier theatre, Much Ado About Nothing in the Lyttelton theatre and All of Us in the Dorfman theatre with tickets on sale to the public from Thursday 10 March.

Jack Absolute Flies Again a riotous and comedic new version of Sheridan’s The Rivals, co-written by Richard Bean (One Man, Two Guvnors) and Oliver Chris (Emma), will play in the Olivier theatre in July. Originally due to open in April 2020, Emily Burns (The Comeback) will direct Laurie Davidson (Cats) as Jack Absolute alongside Caroline Quentin (Jonathan Creek) as Mrs Malaprop, Natalie Simpson (Three Sisters) as Lydia Languish, Kelvin Fletcher (Emmerdale) as Dudley Scunthorpe and Kerry Howard (Him & Her) as Lucy, James Corrigan, Theo Cowan, Jordan Metcalfe, George Kemp, Akshay Sharan, Tim Steed, Geoffrey Towers, Shona White and Helena Wilson also join the company.

Set and costume design is by Mark Thompson, lighting design by Tim Lutkin, composer is Paul Englishby, sound design by Paul Arditti and video and projection design by Jeff Sugg. Physical comedy director is Toby Park and choreography is by Lizzi Gee. Staff director is Cara Nolan.

Simon Godwin (Romeo & Juliet) will return to the Lyttelton theatre to direct Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing in July. Set in the Italian Riviera at the fictional Hotel Messina, Katherine Parkinson (Home, I’m Darling) will play Beatrice with John Heffernan (The Pursuit of Love) as Benedick in Shakespeare’s timeless romantic comedy. With set design by Anna Fleischle, costume design by Evie Gurney and lighting design by Lucy Carter. Composer is Michael Bruce and sound design by Christopher Shutt. Staff Director is Hannah Joss.

Award-winning writer and comedian Francesca Martinez will make her NT debut with her new play All of Us, directed by Ian Rickson. A powerful and timely drama that explores the human cost of abandoning those who struggle to fit in, the play was postponed due to Covid-19 and will now open in the Dorfman this July.

The cast is led by Francesca Martinez alongside Chris Anderson, Oliver Alvin-Wilson, Bryan Dick, Kevin Hely, Christopher-John Slater, Francesca Mills and Wanda Opalinska. Set and costume design is by Georgia Lowe, lighting design by Anna Watson, movement direction by Lucy Cullingford. The composer is Stephen Warbeck, sound design by Gregory Clarke and fight director is Terry King. Staff Director is Hana Pascal Keegan.

Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre, Lynette Linton makes her National Theatre debut with a new production of Pearl Cleage’s Blues for an Alabama Sky in the Lyttelton theatre from September. This startling play set in 1930 during the Harlem renaissance, is about four friends whose lives and passions collide when a newcomer from Alabama arrives. Samira Wiley (The Handmaid’s Tale, Orange is the New Black) performs the role of Angel Allen with Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo (Three Sisters) as Delia Patterson, Osy Ikhile (Sweat) as Leland Cunningham, Sule Rimi (Barber Shop Chronicles) as Sam Thomas and Giles Terera (Death of England: Face to Face) performing the role of Guy Jacobs.

Set and costume design by Frankie Bradshaw, lighting designer is Oli Fenwick, movement director is Kane Husbands, composer is Ben Kwasi Burrell, sound designer is George Dennis and Staff Director TD Moyo. Tickets for Blues for an Alabama Sky will go on sale in May.

National Theatre Live

Following the success of Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt broadcast to 40,000 people around the world on 27 January, NT Live continues with Henry V broadcast from the Donmar Warehouse on 21 April and Straight Line Crazy, a new play by David Hare, from the Bridge Theatre on 26 May.

National Theatre Collection

With 75% of all UK state secondary schools now signed up to the National Theatre Collection, ten additional productions will be available to schools, colleges and educational establishments from 24th February in partnership with Bloomsbury Publishing and ProQuest. These ten new productions will complete the second Collection, making a total of 50 titles available to the education sector worldwide.

The new titles include the multi-award-winning new staging of Tony Kushner’s two-part play Angels in America starring Andrew Garfield, Nathan Lane, Denise Gough, Russell Tovey and James McArdle, award-winning one-woman play Chewing Gum Dreams written and performed by Michaela Coel and award-winning original film Romeo & Juliet directed by Simon Godwin with Jessie Buckley and Josh O’Connor as the star-crossed lovers.

Free for UK state-funded schools and FE colleges, the NT Collection celebrates the best of British theatre and provides access to high-quality recordings of world-class productions from the NT and other leading UK theatres. The NT Collection is also available via subscription to education providers worldwide and is used in schools and colleges in 57 countries.

West End and On Tour

The National Theatre’s acclaimed production of The Ocean at the End of the Lane continues in London’s West End until 14 May. The first major stage adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s work, this fantasy novel is brought to life in an adaptation by Joel Horwood, directed by Katy Rudd.

The internationally acclaimed production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time based on Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel, adapted by Simon Stephens and directed by Marianne Elliott, continues on a 10th anniversary tour of the UK and Ireland this spring.

International

Following an acclaimed Broadway run, The Lehman Trilogy by Stefano Massini and adapted by Ben Power, tours to the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles this spring. Sam Mendes directs Simon Russell Beale, Adam Godley and Howard W. Overshown who play the Lehman Brothers, their sons and grandsons. A co-production with Neal Street Productions.

February 22, 2022/by Theatre M

News

Cast announced for Small Island as rehearsals begin

Casting for the revival of the critically acclaimed production Small Island is announced today as the company begin rehearsals. Adapted by Helen Edmundson from Andrea Levy’s prize-winning novel and directed by Rufus Norris, the production will open on 24 February in the Olivier theatre.

Small Island brings to life the tangled history of Jamaica and the UK. Following the intricately connected stories of Hortense, newly arrived in London, landlady Queenie and servicemen Gilbert and Bernard, hope and humanity meet stubborn reality in their epic revival.

The role of Hortense will be played by Leonie Elliott, Bernard will be performed by Martin Hutson, Queenie by Mirren Mack and Leemore Marrett Jr is Gilbert.

The company also includes Elliot Barnes-Worrell, Chereen Buckley, Cavan Clarke, Adam Ewan, David Fielder, Amy Forrest, Andrew Frame, Stephanie Jacob, Sandra James-Young, CJ Johnson, Rebecca Lee, Rachel Lumberg, Alicia McKenzie, Daniel Norford, Tom Page, David Webber, Marcel White, and Flo Wilson.

The role of Little Michael will be performed by Asad-Shareef Muhammad, Theo-Oliver Townsend and Nasri Thompson and the role of Little Hortense by Ta’lia Harvey, Hosanna-Reine Grimwade and Renee Hart.

Set and costume design by Katrina Lindsay, projection design by Jon Driscoll and associate projection designer Gino Ricardo Green, lighting design by Paul Anderson, composer and rehearsal music direction by Benjamin Kwasi Burrell, sound design by Ian Dickinson for Autograph, sound associate Jonas Roebuck, movement direction by Coral Messam and fight direction by Kate Waters. Associate Director Denzel Wesley-Sanderson with casting by Isabella Odoffin CDG.

January 12, 2022/by Theatre M

News

National Theatre November 2021 – May 2022

David Eldridge and Polly Findlay reunite with new play Middle, the second of three plays by David Eldridge to explore love and relationships. Claire Rushbrook and Daniel Ryan play husband and wife

– Dominic Cooke directs The Corn is Green by Emlyn Williams with Nicola Walker playing Miss Lily Moffat

– Alecky Blythe’s new verbatim play Our Generation, a co-production with Chichester Festival Theatre, directed by Daniel Evans, opens in the Dorfman theatre in February

– Anupama Chandrasekhar’s new play The Father and The Assassin, directed by Indhu Rubasingham, will open in the Olivier theatre in May. Shubham Saraf performs the role of Nathuram Godse.

– Jude Christian adapts Shakespeare’s Hamlet for young audiences with direction by Tinuke Craig. The production will embark on a 4-week schools tour and performs in the Dorfman theatre in March.

– Kirsty Housley directs Evan Placey’s reimagining of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Jekyll and Hyde reaching over 10,500 secondary school students as part of an 8-week tour.

The National Theatre today announces the on-sale dates of upcoming productions Middle, Our Generation, The Corn is Green and The Father and The Assassin. Tickets go on sale to the public on 2 December 2021.

Following their five-star production of Beginning, which played to sold-out runs at the National Theatre and in the West End, writer David Eldridge and director Polly Findlay reunite with new play Middle, a raw, touching and funny portrait of a 21st-century marriage.

Middle is the second of three plays by David Eldridge to explore love and relationships and will open in the Dorfman theatre in April 2022. Claire Rushbrook and Daniel Ryan will perform the roles of Gary and Maggie. Set and costume design by Fly Davis, and sound design by Donato Wharton.

Alecky Blythe returns to the National Theatre with her panoramic new verbatim play that tells the stories of a generation. Opening in the Dorfman theatre in February and created from five years of interviews with 12 young people from across the UK, Our Generation is a captivating portrait of their journey into adulthood. Making his NT directorial debut, Daniel Evans leads the team in this co-production with Chichester Festival Theatre.

The cast is Dee Ahluwalia, Joe Bolland, Anna Burnett, Anushka Chakravarti, Debbie Chazen, Gavi Singh Chera, Rachelle Diedericks, Hasan Dixon, Hélder Fernandes, Sarita Gabony, Conor Gormally, Alex Jarrett, Callum Mardy, Poppy Shepherd and Stephanie Street.

Set design is by Vicki Mortimer, costume design by Kinnetia Isidore, video design by Akhila Krishnan, lighting design by Zoe Spurr, sound design by Paul Arditti, movement direction by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, music composition, production & direction by DJ Walde, dramaturgy by Sebastian Born and casting by Charlotte Sutton.

Opening in the Lyttelton theatre in April 2022 is the rescheduled production of The Corn is Green. Emlyn Williams’ semi-autobiographical play is given a bold new staging by director Dominic Cooke in its first London revival for over 35 years. Nicola Walker will lead the company playing the role of Miss Lily Moffat, a teacher newly arrived in rural North Wales, determined to help young local miners out of poverty by teaching them to read and write.

Further casting includes Adam Baker, Saffron Coomber, Gareth David-Lloyd, Iwan Davies, Ben Alyn Francis, Megan Grech, Jonathan Hawkins, Matthew Hargreaves, Steffan Hughes, Gareth Kennerley, Richard Lynch, Jo McInnes, Alice Orr-Ewing, Steffan Rizzi, Rebecca Todd, Garyn Williams, Peter Willcock and Rufus Wright.

Set and Costume Design is by ULTZ, lighting design by Charles Balfour, sound design by Christopher Shutt, music arrangements and direction by Will Stuart.

Opening in May 2022 in the Olivier theatre is The Father and The Assassin, a gripping new play by Anupama Chandrasekhar, one of India’s most exciting playwrights, directed by Indhu Rubasingham. The play traces Nathuram Godse’s life over 30 years during India’s fight for independence: from devout follower of Mahatma Gandhi, through to his radicalisation and their tragic final encounter. Shubham Saraf is cast as Godse alongside Sagar Arya, Ayesha Dharker and Peter Singh.

Set and costume design is by Rajha Shakiry, lighting design is by Oliver Fenwick and sound design is by Alex Caplen. Music composed by Siddhartha Khosla.

Digital

The National Theatre has added Kae Tempest’s Paradise, Winsome Pinnock’s Rockets and Blue Lights and James Graham’s This House to the NT’s streaming service National Theatre at Home. New productions are added each month and there are now 40 productions available to stream on the platform, including newly filmed shows from the NT’s stages and classics from the archives. Available to watch online anywhere in the world at any time. All are available with captions and 23 have audio description.

NT Learning for young people

Live performances for young people and nationwide schools touring returns in January 2022, beginning with a new version of Jekyll & Hyde touring into secondary schools, followed by the previously announced retelling of Hamlet. Both tours will reach over 15,500 primary and secondary pupils nationwide, these initiatives will support pupils’ creative learning following disruption caused by the pandemic.

The radical re-imagining by playwright Evan Placey of Robert Louis Stevenson‘s classic tale and directed by Kirsty Housley, will tour to over 10,500 students in secondary school halls nationwide from January 2022 on an 8-week schools tour which forms part of the NT’s Theatre Nation Partnerships to grow and sustain new audiences for live theatre. With support from our partner theatres, the production will visit outer East London (with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch), Wakefield (with Theatre Royal Wakefield), Doncaster (with Cast), Sunderland (with Sunderland Culture and Sunderland Empire), Wolverhampton (with The Grand), and Greater Manchester (with The Lowry). The production is designed by Amanda Stoodley with sound design by Ben Grant and LX design by Joshua Pharo.

Opening in the Dorfman theatre in March 2022 is an energetic retelling of Shakespeare’s most well-known tragedy, Hamlet aimed at children aged 8 – 12. Adapted by Jude Christian, and directed by Tinuke Craig, the production will be a perfect introduction for young audiences to the world of Shakespeare. The production will also tour into schools in four partner areas reaching over 5,000 pupils across four weeks. The production is designed by Frankie Bradshaw.

West End

The National Theatre’s acclaimed production of The Ocean at the End of the Lane announced a three-week extension, with performances running at the Duke of York’s Theatre until 14 May. The first major stage adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s work, this fantasy novel is brought to life in an adaptation by Joel Horwood, directed by Katy Rudd. A modern myth, where the power of imagination and storytelling transports audiences on a spellbinding and spectacular adventure

On Tour

The internationally acclaimed production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time embarks on a third UK and Ireland tour this month. Adapted by Simon Stephens from Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel, and directed by Marianne Elliott, the production will celebrate its 10th year in 2022. Opening at London’s Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre on 20 November for a seven-week run, the tour will then play will then play at 19 venues across the UK. Visit curiousonstage.com for tour dates, with more venues to be announced.

National Theatre Together

The ongoing National Theatre Together campaign continues to raise vital funds for the theatre’s ambitious recovery post-pandemic. Together, with the support of thousands of people from around the world, we are shaping a bright, creative future. With theatre-makers and communities. For audiences and young people.

November 15, 2021/by Theatre M

Blog, Frontpage Article, Review

Review: The Ocean at the End of the Lane is incredible and scary as hell

What a triumph for the National Theatre to make a riveting nightmare out of this long-anticipated transfer.

Two years after The Ocean at the End of the Lane’s first staging, Neil Gaiman’s dark fairy-tale has returned, this time to the West End.

The story from Gaiman’s award-winning book is about the escape a lonely child finds in fantasy worlds. In one of many extraordinary moments during Katy Rudd’s haunting production, the stage becomes a playground for the imagination. Anything can come to life; anything can be transformed. It is also occasionally unbearably chilling and poignant.

Leading the production, James Bamford as the Boy is commanding – at times heart-rending – as the distressed, gawky 12-year-old hero who is plunged into a confrontation with a wicked witch in his own home, screeching monsters and flapping creatures. Nia Towle is dynamic as Lettie, the farm girl who becomes his guiding friend. The magical realism is a pure spectacle.

Nia Towle (Lettie Hempstock) and James Bamford (the Boy) / Manuel Harlan

Elsewhere, Nicolas Tennant as the Dad movingly portrays the messily human emotions of a family bereavement and subsequent trauma. The 16-strong cast work effortlessly to realise a slick and polished ensemble performance. Extraordinary moments abound.

How do you stage unfurling forests, tunnels, witches, snapping demons, and action-packed drama so effortlessly? With the help of Joel Horwood’s nimble adaptation, a terrific team has found the way.

Every small thing is beautiful; the creative team are chef’s kiss. Ian Dixon’s sound design turns innocent noises into explosions. In a triumph of theatricality, movement director Steven Hoggett, composer Jherek Bischoff and lighting designer Paule Constable pull out all the stops to ensure that the production soars; the dreamlike storytelling becomes the arena that the Boy makes his own. All this ensures that The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a triumphant theatre event.

The disparate and menacing electric 80s music by composer Jherek Bischoff deftly underscores the journey of a man returning to his childhood home, and is a work of art. Taken as a suite of music on its own merits, The Ocean at the End of the Lane‘s official soundtrack flows rather seamlessly—no small achievement. Perhaps the most deft and frightening as hell touch is the use of synths to mimic a vaguely inhuman howling.

Photo: Manuel Harlan

Sometimes a show comes along that is so inventive that you just can’t help but be in awe of everyone involved. Separating the very good from the excellent moments in Rudd’s dreamlike production is almost impossible. Fly Davis’s set has benches, doorways and props popping amongst a beautiful series of tunnels and abstract backdrops.

I should also say that I am delighted that west end theatre is waking up to the notion that it should take advantage of the great blossoming of children’s literature in the last few years – and by doing so luring in a new generation of theatre-goers.

If you have the chance, make sure you get along to the show because it is visually thrilling, moving and extremely special.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane runs at the Duke of York’s theatre, London, until 14 May 2022.

November 12, 2021/by Carl Woodward

News

National Theatre November 2021 – February 2022

National Theatre reopens for daytime visitors launching a new food and drink offer in partnership with street food pioneers KERB

– Tickets go on-sale for the previously announced production of Alice Childress’ Trouble in Mind directed by Nancy Medina. Tanya Moodie plays Wiletta Mayer alongside Daniel Adeosun, Naana Agyei-Ampadu, Joe Bannister, Emma Canning, John Hollingworth, Rory Keenan, Gary Lilburn and Cyril Nri.

– Wuthering Heights, a co-production with Wise Children, opens in the Lyttelton theatre in February as part of a UK wide tour. Lucy McCormick and Ash Hunter play Cathy and Heathcliffe

– Critically acclaimed production of Andrea Levy’s prize winning novel Small Island returns to the Olivier in early 2022, to be followed by Anupama Chandrasekhar’s The Father & the Assassin

The National Theatre today announces the on-sale dates of upcoming productions Trouble in Mind, Wuthering Heights and Small Island, as well as the return of daytime opening for visitors. Tickets go on sale to the public on 7 October.

For the first time since March 2020, the public spaces at the National Theatre will be open during the day for visitors and audiences alike. The National Theatre has partnered with independent street food pioneers KERB on a completely refreshed food and drink experience. With a focus on locally-sourced produce, KERB will curate an outstanding food offering throughout the 11 spaces and restaurants with their renowned network of street food start-ups and independent restaurateurs. The first phase of this transformation will begin from today with KERB at The Understudy and the opening of the Atrium Café on the ground floor. Further restaurant and bar redevelopments will follow this year and next.

On the stages, Alice Childress’ play Trouble in Mind will be performed in the Dorfman theatre from the 2 December. In 1950s America, protests for racial equality erupt in the face of voter suppression. On Broadway, Wiletta Mayer, a talented black actress, begins rehearsals for a new play about racism – written and directed by two white men. When Wiletta finds that her arguments to tell the truth of the story are dismissed, she decides to take action. First staged over 60 years ago, Trouble in Mind is widely considered the masterpiece of actress and playwright Alice Childress.

Nancy Medina directs Tanya Moodie in this wry and radical satire of racism in theatre, alongside Daniel Adeosun, Naana Agyei-Ampadu, Joe Bannister, Emma Canning, John Hollingworth, Rory Keenan, Gary Lilburn and Cyril Nri.

Set and costume design by Rajha Shakiry, lighting design by Nao Nagai, music by Nubiya Brandon and Raffy Bushman, sound design by Elena Peña and Rachael Nanyonjo as movement director.

In the Lyttelton theatre Emma Rice directs a new version of Wuthering Heights with performances from Thursday 3 February. A co-production with Wise Children, Bristol Old Vic and York Theatre Royal, this adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic, opens at Bristol Old Vic next month before a UK wide tour through 2022.

Lucy McCormick is cast as Cathy, Ash Hunter as Heathcliff and Sam Archer, Nandi Bhebhe, Mirabelle Gremaud, TJ Holmes, Craig Johnson, Jordan Laviniere, Kandaka Moore, Katy Owen, Tama Phethean and Witney White complete the company.

Set and costume design by Vicki Mortimer, compositions by Ian Ross, sound and video by Simon Baker, lighting design by Jai Morjaria, movement and choreography by Etta Murfitt and music performed by Sid Goldsmith, Nadine Lee and Renell Shaw.

On the Olivier stage, the critically acclaimed production of Andrea Levy’s prize-winning novel, Small Island, returns opening on 24 February 2022 having been postponed by Covid from its planned revival. Adapted by Helen Edmundson and directed by Rufus Norris, Small Island brings to life the tangled history of Jamaica and the UK. Following the intricately connected stories of Hortense, newly arrived in London, landlady Queenie and servicemen Gilbert and Bernard, hope and humanity meet stubborn reality in their epic revival.

Set and costume design by Katrina Lindsay, projection design by Jon Driscoll and associate projection designer Gino Ricardo Green, lighting design by Paul Anderson, composer and rehearsal music direction by Benjamin Kwasi Burrell, sound design by Ian Dickinson for Autograph, movement direction by Coral Messam and fight direction by Kate Waters. Associate Director Denzel Wesley-Sanderson with casting by Isabella Odoffin CDG.

The previously announced production The Father and the Assassin by Anupama Chandrasekhar, to be directed by Indhu Rubasingham, will be performed later in 2022.

NT Learning for Young People

Supporting our work with young people and schools across the UK, a second collection of 10 productions has been added to the National Theatre Collection in partnership with Bloomsbury Publishing and ProQuest. The new titles added include Inua Ellams’ acclaimed Barber Shop Chronicles, Polly Stenham’s version of August Strindberg’s Julie and Ivo van Hove’s production of A View from the Bridge from the Young Vic.

Free for state schools and colleges across the UK, 71% of state secondary schools are now signed up to access this digital resource with a total of 2.4 million streams worldwide since its launch. To sign up visit the NT website.

Films of 10 performances from youth theatre companies nationwide are also now available to watch on the NT’s website. They showcase the brilliant work of over 3,000 young people taking part in this year’s Connections youth theatre festival, including plays by Vivienne Franzmann, Mojisola Adebayo and John Donnelly, and feature companies from Shetland to Plymouth.

Digital

As announced earlier this month, Under Milk Wood, Home and the Young Vic’s A Streetcar Named Desire have been added to the NT’s streaming service National Theatre at Home and are available to watch online anywhere in the world at any time. New productions are added each month and since launching in December 2020, there are now 31 productions available to stream on the platform. All productions are available with captions and 19 are also available with audio description.

The National Theatre’s acclaimed original film Romeo & Juliet, directed by Simon Godwin, will be screened in cinemas for one night only on Tuesday 28 September. The film stars Josh O’Connor (The Crown, God’s Own Country) as Romeo and Jessie Buckley (Chernobyl, Judy) as Juliet, and will be available to screen across the UK and Ireland.

West End

The West End transfer of The Ocean at the End of the Lane, based on the best-selling novel by Neil Gaiman, will extend its run at the Duke of York’s Theatre by 10 weeks to 23 April 2022, due to popular demand. Adapted by Joel Horwood and directed by Katy Rudd, The Ocean at the End of the Lane begins previews at the Duke of York’s Theatre on 23 October. The first major stage adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s work, this fantasy novel is brought to life in a modern myth, where the power of imagination and storytelling transports audiences on a spellbinding and spectacular adventure. Tickets for the final weeks on sale from 7 October.

International

Previewing from Saturday, The Lehman Trilogy returns to Broadway for a limited engagement at the Nederlander Theatre, with an opening set for 14 October. Written by Stefano Massini and adapted by Ben Power with direction by Sam Mendes, The Lehman Trilogy sees Simon Russell Beale and Adam Godley return to their celebrated roles with Adrian Lester joining the cast in his Broadway debut. Following a 14-week run on Broadway, The Lehman Trilogy will visit Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles (3 March – 10 April 2022) and American Conservatory Theater’s Geary Theater in San Francisco (20 April – 22 May 2022), with casting to be announced for the West Coast dates.

On tour

The internationally acclaimed production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time embarks on a third UK and Ireland tour in November 2021. Adapted by Simon Stephens from Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel, and directed by Marianne Elliott, the production will celebrate its 10th year in 2022. Opening at London’s Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre on 20 November for a seven-week run, the tour will then play will then play at venues across the UK. Visit curiousonstage.com for tour dates, with more venues to be announced.

National Theatre Together

September 23, 2021/by Theatre M

News

The National Theatre adds new productions to streaming platform NT at Home

The National Theatre has today announced the latest productions to be made available on its National Theatre at Home streaming platform. Launching today, the Young Vic and Joshua Andrews’ production of Tennessee Williams’ timeless masterpiece A Streetcar Named Desire featuring Gillian Anderson as Blanche DuBois, Ben Foster as Stanley and Vanessa Kirby as Stella, the NT’s recent production of Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood with Michael Sheen and Nadia Fall’s verbatim play Home that explores homelessness in the UK featuring Michaela Coel. New productions are added each month and since launching in December 2020, there are now 31 productions available to stream on the platform.

It is also announced today some of the productions that audiences can expect to see on the platform in the coming months. Those productions are confirmed to include Antony & Cleopatra with Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo in the title roles; Hedda Gabler with Ruth Wilson in the title role; Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls in the Lyttelton theatre from 2019; Sally Cookson’s 2017 production of Peter Pan; Yaël Farber’s Salomé and James Graham’s political drama This House, alongside current NT productions; Kae Tempest’s Paradise with Lesley Sharp and Winsome Pinnock’s Rockets and Blue Lights. Ian McKellen on Stage will also join the platform this autumn for audiences outside the UK and Ireland. It is currently available in the UK and Ireland for Amazon Prime subscribers.

Under Milk Wood and A Streetcar Named Desirewill also be available from today with audio-description to support blind and partially sighted audiences worldwide. There are now 19 National Theatre at Home titles available with audio-description. All productions on National Theatre at Home are available with captions.

National Theatre at Home is available at ntathome.com, with single titles available from £5.99 – £8.99, a monthly subscription for £9.99 or a yearly subscription for £99.99. 

National Theatre at Home is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

National Theatre at Home is also supported by The Linbury Trust.

#NationalTheatreatHome      

A Streetcar Named Desire
by Tennessee Williams

A Young Vic and Joshua Andrews Co-production

As Blanche’s fragile world crumbles, she turns to her sister Stella for solace – but her downward spiral brings her face to face with the brutal, unforgiving Stanley Kowalski.

Tennessee Williams’ timeless masterpiece features Gillian Anderson as Blanche DuBois, Ben Foster as Stanley and Vanessa Kirby as Stella.

Filmed by National Theatre Live at the Young Vic in 2014, Benedict Andrews (Three Sisters, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof) directs with design by Magda Willi, costumes by Victoria Behr, light by Jon Clark, sound by Paul Arditti, music by Alex Baranowski, dialect by Rick Lipton, voice by Richard Ryder, fight by Bret Yount and assistant direction by Natasha Nixon, with UK casting by Maggie Lunn CDG and Camilla Evans CDG and US casting by Jim Carnahan CSA.

The cast also includes Clare Burt, Lachele Carl, Branwell Donaghey, Otto Farrant, Nicholas Gecks, Troy Glasgow, Stephanie Jacob, Corey Johnson and Claire Prempeh.

Filmed by National Theatre Live, a production from the Young Vic and Joshua Andrews.

Available until at least 8 September 2022.

Under Milk Wood
by Dylan Thomas
additional material by Sian Owen

The retired sea captain yearning for his lost love. The landlady living in terror of her guests. A father who can no longer access his memories. A son in search of redemption.

As they awake to boiled eggs and the postman, the residents of a small Welsh village juggle old secrets and new realities.

Michael Sheen, Karl Johnson and Siân Phillips feature in the acting company breathing new life into Dylan Thomas’ poetic masterpiece. NT Associate Lyndsey Turner directs.

The cast also includes Susan Brown, Ifan Huw Dafydd, Alan David, Michael Elwyn, Kezrena James, Gaynor Morgan Rees, Anthony O’Donnell and Cleo Sylvestre.

Set and costume design is by Merle Hensel, lighting design by Tim Lutkin, movement by Imogen Knight, songs composed by Edward-Rhys Harry, and sound design and additional compositions by Donato Wharton.

Under Milk Wood opened in the reconfigured Olivier-in-the-round theatre on 16 June 2021, reopening the Olivier after closures due to lockdown.

This is an enhanced recording from the National Theatre, available until at least 8 September 2022.

Home
by Nadia Fall

Bullet doesn’t want to call a hostel home. Eritrean Girl was smuggled here in a lorry. Singing Boy dreams of seeing his name in lights and Garden Boy just wants to feel safe.

Homelessness amongst young people in the UK is at a record high, so when the big society doesn’t work – where do you go? An inner-city high-rise hostel, TargetEast, offers a roof.

Nadia Fall’s verbatim play features performances from Michaela Coel, Antonia Thomas and Kadiff Kirwan.

The cast also includes Jonathan Coote, Trevor Michael Georges, Ashley McGuire, Grace Savage, Shakka and Toby Wharton.

Home is directed by Nadia Fall with designs by Ruth Sutcliffe, lighting by Ciaran Bagnall, movement by Jack Murphy, music by Tom Green and Shakka, music direction by Gareth Valentine, fight direction by Kate Waters, sound design by Mike Walker and company voice work by Richard Ryder.

Filmed in the Temporary Theatre at the NT in 2013, this is a recording from the National Theatre Archive and it’s available until at least 8 September 2022.

September 9, 2021/by Theatre M