Daniel Radcliffe to Return to West End in Old Vic's ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD

The Old Vic today announced further programming, casting and dates for the 2016-17 season, both on and off the main stage. The 50th anniversary production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard will open on 7 March, starring Daniel Radcliffe and Joshua McGuire. The previously announced new version of Woyzeck by Jack Thorne, starring John Boyega, in May will be followed by Girl From the North Country written and directed by Conor McPherson with the songs of Bob Dylan in July. Later in 2017 the Olivier-nominated Dr. Seuss's The Lorax returns by popular demand.

The Old Vic also revealed an exciting additional programme which includes Lates at The Old Vic, One Voice, a series of new-writing monologues, a range of family activities and performances, as well as the on-going Voices Off series of talks, discussions and debates.

Artistic Director Matthew Warchus commented: "For almost 200 years people have come together at The Old Vic to watch and listen to stories. Hundreds of thousands of people had their first experience of theatre in this building. Look at this country's leading theatre, dance and opera companies and chances are there's a thread to be found that leads you back to The Old Vic. It has been, in many ways, the cradle of British theatre, nurturing the companies, showcasing creative vision and building the audiences that together make our performing arts some of the greatest in the world.

"At The Old Vic we believe that stories are indispensable. That people of every age, from every walk of life and background, sitting together watching a story unfold has a hugely positive personal, social, political and cultural effect. I am proud to be announcing these very different shows at The Old Vic. They round out my second season in which we continue to promote this iconic building as a gateway for as wide a range of people as possible to experience the breadth of what theatre can be and do."

During Matthew's first year as Artistic Director, over 50,000 people saw a performance at The Old Vic for the first time, 1,044 school students saw a show for free through our School's Club and over 15,000 tickets were sold through our PwC £10 Previews scheme, making our theatre affordable for all.

Upcoming productions:

- A 50th anniversary celebratory production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard, directed by David Leveaux and starring Daniel Radcliffe and Joshua McGuire

- John Boyega starring in a new version of Woyzeck by Jack Thorne, directed by new Baylis Director Joe Murphy

- The world premiere of Girl From the North Country with music and lyrics by Bob Dylan, written and directed by Conor McPherson

- The return of the Olivier-nominated Dr. Seuss's The Lorax, written by David Greig, music and lyrics by Charlie Fink and directed by Max Webster

Additional programming:

- Productions will be accompanied by one-off performances of new writing monologues - One Voice. Influential contemporary writers will give their slant on the multitude of themes presented across the year

- The new programme for Families at The Old Vic includes the previously announced puppetry show Missing Light created by Mark Arends, as well as Chickenshed's Tales from the Shed and The Children's Bookshow with Michael Rosen

- The introduction of Lates at The OId Vic, late night performances programmed after main stage productions, including Charlie Fink and David Greig's Cover My Tracks, a one-off performance of Mark Watson's acclaimed I'm Not Here and Ronnie Scott's Jazz Trio live in Mark's Bar

- The continuation of Voices Off talks, conversations, debates and workshops which explore the themes raised by the productions on the main stage, beginning with the debate 'If I Had a Voice' chaired by Emily Maitlis

ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD

By Tom Stoppard

Directed by David Leveaux

Starring Daniel Radcliffe and Joshua McGuire

Previews from Saturday 25 February 2017, press night Tuesday 7 March 2017

Half a century after its premiere on The Old Vic stage, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, the play that made a young Tom Stoppard's name overnight, returns to The Old Vic in its 50th anniversary celebratory production.

Against the backdrop of Shakespeare's Hamlet, this mind-bending situation comedy sees two hapless minor characters, Rosencrantz (Daniel Radcliffe) and Guildenstern (Joshua McGuire), take centre stage. Increasingly out of their depth, the young double act stumble their way in and out of the action of this iconic drama. In a literary hall of mirrors, Stoppard's brilliantly funny, existential labyrinth sees us witness the ultimate identity crisis.

WOYZECK

By Georg Büchner

World Premiere of a new version by Jack Thorne

Directed by Joe Murphy

Starring John Boyega

Previews from Saturday 6 May 2017, press night Wednesday 17 May 2017

The multi-award winning Jack Thorne breathes new life into Woyzeck, one of the most extraordinary plays ever written.

It's 1980s Berlin. The Cold War rages and the world sits at a crossroads between Capitalism and Communism. On the border between East and West, a young soldier and the love of his life are desperately trying to build a better future for their child.

But the cost of escaping poverty is high, and its tragic consequences unfold in this searing tale of the people society leaves behind.

GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY

Written and Directed by Conor McPherson

Music and Lyrics by Bob Dylan

World Premiere

Previews from Wednesday 12 July 2017, press night TBC

The Old Vic is proud to present the World Premiere of Girl From the North Country, an electrifying new work from esteemed playwright Conor McPherson along with classic songs from Bob Dylan.

Duluth, Minnesota in the midst of the Great Depression.

A family adrift, their future on a knife edge. Lost and lonely people drifting through the rooms of their guesthouse. But Nick Laine thinks he's seen a way out...

Dr. Seuss'S

THE LORAX

Adapted by David Greig

Music and Lyrics by Charlie Fink

Directed by Max Webster

Previews from Sunday 15 October 2017, press night TBC

'I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees!'

The irrepressible, big-hearted, moustachioed critter is back. Following rave reviews and an Olivier nomination for Best Entertainment and Family show, Dr. Seuss'sThe Lorax returns to The Old Vic stage.

This dazzlingly funny, moving and inspiring show sees the go-getting Once-ler come face to face with the magical Lorax in a battle over the beloved truffula trees and the whole of Paradise Valley. Adapted for the stage by David Greig with music and lyrics by Charlie Fink, Dr. Seuss's The Lorax is a brilliant riot of eye-popping colour, gorgeous puppetry and infectious music to enchant adults and children alike.

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING

ONE VOICE

MONOLOGUES FUNDED BY THE TS ELIOT ESTATE

Saturday 26 November 2016

Friday 10 February 2017

Friday 21 April 2017

Friday 19 May 2017

'All I have is a voice.' W. H. Auden

A voice can take you anywhere, to see anything, to feel joy, pain, to make you laugh until you cry, to see inside another person's head, to build castles in the air.

A series of monologues specially commissioned by The Old Vic and premiering on our stage with one off performances from renowned actors, One Voice celebrates the most raw of theatre forms - a single voice on a stage without scenery, without costume and with nothing to rely on but words.

Writers this season include Amelia Bullmore, Shami Chakrabarti, John Godber, Marie Jones, Patrick Marber, Chris Terrio and Mark Watson, with more to follow.

Further dates to be announced.

LATES AT THE OLD VIC

I'M NOT HERE

Mark Watson

Saturday 11 February 2017, 9.45pm

A one-off appearance by multi award-winning comic Mark Watson. I'm Not Here sold out 27 nights in Edinburgh, where it was the third best reviewed comedy show of the Fringe. This, after an 85-date national tour, is the only London performance.

RONNIE SCOTT'S JAZZ TRIO IN MARK'S BAR

Saturday 18 February 2017, 9.30pm

Enjoy a cocktail (or two) with music from the legendary Ronnie Scott's Jazz Trio. Ronnie's is one of the oldest jazz clubs in the world and has featured most of the legendary and popular names in modern jazz and jazz fusion. Ronnie's Jazz Trio performs for one night only in Mark Hix's bar at The Old Vic. Mark's Bar serves delicious and specially crafted cocktails and is open late after every performance.

COVER MY TRACKS

Written by David Greig

Music and Lyrics by Charlie Fink

Directed by Max Webster

5 - 17 June 2017, 9.30pm

In an interconnected, digital world, what does it take to disappear?

Former Noah and the Whale front man and songwriter Charlie Fink, multi-award-winning playwright David Greig and director Max Webster (the team behind Dr. Seuss's The Lorax) bring us Cover My Tracks, the story of an idealistic young songwriter who sets out on the road looking to write a 21st century pop masterpiece and vanishes without a trace. Might her personal songbook be the key to unlocking the mystery?

FAMILIES AT THE OLD VIC

Theatre is a magical world of 3D stories and no child is too young to start experiencing the delight and wonder of live performance. This Season, in partnership with performers and organisations, The Old Vic brings storytelling for all ages to our theatre. More titles to be announced during the Season.

TALES FROM THE SHED

Thursday 10 November, Thursday 24 November and Thursday 1 December 2016, 10am & 11.30am

Christmas Tales, Wednesday 21 December 2016, 10am & 11.30am

North London-based inclusive theatre company Chickenshed will present their hugely popular Tales From The Shed. This vibrant and interactive show for young children aged 0-5 includes puppetry, sign language, song and dance and will play weekly in Mark's Bar at The Old Vic.

MISSING LIGHT

20 Mar - 1 Apr 2017, Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri, 2.30pm, Sat matinee 11am

'You're never too old for hopes and dreams...there's always time for plans and schemes.'

When loneliness is replaced by a far off flickering light, two elderly friends break free on a journey to reconcile their pasts and find what remains of their futures. A newly commissioned puppetry show created by Mark Arends and Make Mend and Do, Missing Light, a daytime production for children aged 8+, will play on the main stage in 2017.

Production supported by Arts Council England.

THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHOW

The Old Vic is delighted to be hosting Michael Rosen, the fifth Children's Laureate, at The Children's Bookshow on 18 November 2016. A literacy charity, The Children's Bookshow organises an annual autumn tour at theatres around the country where children are treated to performances from acclaimed authors, illustrators and poets. This event is recommended for children aged 7-11.

VOICES OFF

A series of talks, conversations, debates and workshops given by leading voices in the arts, media, science and politics, which explore the themes raised by the productions on our main stage in creative ways.

NO'S KNIFE

IF I HAD A VOICE

8 October, 5pm Pre-show discussion

How do we challenge inherent misogyny and create positive female role models at a time when the public voices of women are arguably still criticised and even silenced? Nimco Ali, Sara Khan, Stella Creasy and Emily Maitlis (chair) will find new ways to tackle an old conversation.

Lisa Dwan IN CONVERSATION

13 October, Post-show

Hear Lisa Dwan talk about the concept behind the production and her unique approach to exploring Beckett's momentous texts, in conversation with Clemency Burton-Hill.

KING LEAR

IS RIPENESS ALL?

Should the older generation be trusted with the future?

17 November, 5.45pm - Pre-show debate

The Brexit vote has ignited a rhetoric of the old versus the young. This debate will pit Millennials against Baby Boomers to ask who should be responsible for the future.

LEAR AND DAUGHTERS

29 November, Post-show

Morfydd Clark, Jane Horrocks, Celia Imrie and Glenda Jackson give an insight into the working process behind this landmark production

ART

The School of Life:

HOW TO BE A BETTER FRIEND

14 January, 12.30pm - Workshop

Lovers may come and go, work may carry us halfway around the world but friendship provides stability in an otherwise changing world. In this workshop from The School of Life, you'll explore the limits and perils of friendship, as well as its promise.

FROM ART TO ARTEFACT

24 January, 5.45pm - Pre-show discussion

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Art London premiere, a group of leading contemporary playwrights will come together to discuss the process of revival and how it feels to watch their work transition from 'modern' to 'modern classic.'

WOYZECK

Q&A WITH John Boyega

Date to be announced

Join John Boyega as he talks about his debut at The Old Vic and bringing Büchner's tragic character

to life.