National Theatre Announces June 2017-January 2018 Season
By: BWW News Desk Jun. 15, 2017
National Theatre has announced today the new season for June 2017 - January 2018. Take a look at the shows coming to the theatre!
OLIVIER THEATRE
FOLLIES
book by James Goldman
music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Previews from 22 August, press night 6 September, continuing in the repertoire until 3 January
New York, 1971. There's a party on the stage of the Weismann Theatre. Tomorrow the iconic building will be demolished. Thirty years after their final performance, the Follies girls gather to have a few drinks, sing a few songs and lie about themselves. Including such classic songs as Broadway Baby, I'm Still Here and Losing My Mind, Stephen Sondheim's legendary musical is staged for the first time at the NT. Tracie Bennett, Janie Dee and Imelda Staunton play the magnificent Follies in this dazzling new production. Featuring a cast of 37 and an orchestra of 21, the production is directed by Dominic Cooke (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom).
The cast includes Julie Armstrong (Christine Donovan), Norma Atallah (Emily Whitman), Josephine Barstow (Heidi Schiller), Jeremy Batt (Chorus Boy) Tracie Bennett (Carlotta Campion), Di Botcher (Hattie Walker), Billy Boyle (Theodore Whitman), Janie Dee (Phyllis Rogers Stone), Anouska Eaton (Young Emily), Liz Ewing (Company), Geraldine Fitzgerald (Solange LaFitte), Peter Forbes (Buddy Plummer), Emily Goodenough (Showgirl), Bruce Graham (Roscoe), Adrian Grove (Sam Deems), Fred Haig (Young Buddy), Aimee Hodnett (Young Hattie), Dawn Hope (Stella Deems), Liz Izen (DeeDee West), Alison Langer (Young Heidi), Emily Langham (Young Carlotta), Sarah-Marie Maxwell (Young Solange), Ian McLarnon (Company), Leisha Mollyneaux (Young Stella), Gemma Page (Sandra Crane), Kate Parr (Young Sandra), Philip Quast (Ben Stone), Edwin Ray (Chorus Boy), Gary Raymond (Dimitri Weismann), Adam Rhys-Charles (Young Ben), Jordan Shaw (Kevin), Imelda Staunton (Sally Durant Plummer), Zizi Strallen (Young Phyllis), Barnaby Thompson (Chorus Boy), Christine Tucker (Young DeeDee), Michael Vinsen (Chorus Boy) and Alex Young (Young Sally).
Design by Vicki Mortimer, choreography by Bill Deamer, musical supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck, orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, additional orchestrations by Josh Clayton, musical direction by Nigel Lilley, lighting design by Paule Constable and sound design by Paul Groothuis.
Supported by the Follies production syndicate.
SAINT GEORGE AND THE DRAGON
a new play by Rory Mullarkey
Previews from 4 October, press night 11 October, continuing in the repertoire until 2 December
A village. A dragon. A damsel in distress. Into the story walks George: wandering knight, freedom fighter, enemy of tyrants the world over. One epic battle later and a nation is born. As the village grows into a town, and the town into a city, the myth of Saint George, which once brought a people together, threatens to divide them.
John Heffernan plays Saint George; the cast also includes Paul Brennen, Richard Goulding, Tamzin Griffin, Conor Neaves, Amaka Okafor, Daniel Ryan and Grace Saif.
Making his National Theatre debut, Rory Mullarkey creates a new folk tale for an uneasy nation. Directed by Lyndsey Turner (Chimerica, Light Shining in Buckinghamshire), with design by Rae Smith, choreography by Lynne Page, lighting design by Bruno Poet, music by Grant Olding, sound design by Christopher Shutt and fight direction by Bret Yount.
Hundreds of Travelex tickets at £15 available per performance.
AMADEUS
Previews from 11 January, press night 18 January. On sale up to 17 February, further dates to be announced
Following a sell-out run last year, Amadeus returns to the Olivier in 2018.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a rowdy young prodigy, arrives in Vienna determined to make a splash. Awestruck by his genius, court composer Antonio Salieri has the power to promote his talent or destroy it. Seized by obsessive jealousy he begins a war with Mozart, with music and, ultimately, with God.
Michael Longhurst's acclaimed production of Peter Shaffer's iconic play features live orchestral accompaniment by Southbank Sinfonia. Adam Gillen and Lucian Msamati reprise the roles of Mozart and Salieri. Further casting to be announced.
Amadeus is directed by Michael Longhurst with design by Chloe Lamford, music direction and additional music by Simon Slater, choreography by Imogen Knight, lighting design by Jon Clark and sound design by Paul Arditti.
Amadeus is produced in association with Southbank Sinfonia, and supported by the Amadeus production syndicate.
LYTTELTON THEATRE
QUEER THEATRE: LGBT+ STORIES & SOCIAL CHANGE
In partnership with Pride in London
To mark 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales, the NT looks at how theatre has charted the LGBT+ experience. Events include a debate on LGBT+ rights, talks on Queer Stages, Trans Culture and Drag as an Art Form, and film screenings of Paris was a Woman, Bette Bourne: It Goes with the Shoes and Tangerine. The series features rehearsed readings in the Lyttelton Theatre with full casting to be announced. Post show talks will follow each of the readings.
Neaptide by Sarah Daniels, directed by Sarah Frankcom | Thu 6 July, 7.30pm
Wig Out! written and directed by Tarell Alvin McCraney | Fri 7 July, 7.30pm
Certain Young Men written and directed by Peter Gill | Sat 8 July, 7.30pm
Bent by Martin Sherman, directed by Stephen Daldry | Sun 9 July, 2.30pm
The Drag by Mae West, directed by Polly Stenham | Mon 10 July, 7.30pm
OSLO
a new play by J.T. Rogers
The Lincoln Center Theater production
Previews 5 September
Continuing in repertoire until 23 September (limited ticket availability)
Transferring to the Harold Pinter Theatre in the West End from 30 September - 30 December
Winner, Best Play 2017: Tony Awards, New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards
In 1993, in front of the world's press, the leaders of Israel and Palestine shook hands on the lawn of the White House. Few watching would have guessed that the negotiations leading up to this iconic moment started secretly in a castle in the middle of a forest outside Oslo.
Oslo tells the true story of two maverick Norwegian diplomats who coordinated top-secret talks and inspired seemingly impossible friendships. Their quiet heroics led to the ground-breaking Oslo Peace Accords.
Bartlett Sher's acclaimed production of this new play by J.T. Rogers (Blood & Gifts, The Overwhelming) sets a deeply personal story against an epic historical landscape. This darkly funny political thriller comes to the National Theatre following a sell-out run in New York, prior to a West End run later this autumn.
Cast to be announced. Set design by Michael Yeargan, costume design by Catherine Zuber, lighting design by Donald Holder, sound design by Peter John Still and projections by 59 Productions.
JANE EYRE
based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë
devised by the original company
a co-production with Bristol Old Vic
Previews from 26 September, continuing in the repertoire until 21 October
Following a critically acclaimed season at the National Theatre and a 21 city UK tour, Jane Eyre returns this September to the NT. This innovative reimagining of Charlotte Brontë's masterpiece is a collaboration between the National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic and is directed by Sally Cookson. The classic story of the trailblazing Jane is as inspiring as ever. This bold and dynamic production uncovers one woman's fight for freedom and fulfilment on her own terms. Jane Eyre's spirited heroine faces life's obstacles head-on, surviving poverty, injustice and the discovery of bitter betrayal before taking the ultimate decision to follow her heart.
Cast includes: Hannah Bristow, Matthew Churcher, Nadia Clifford, Ben Cutler, Tim Delap, Alex Heane, Jenny Johns, Melanie Marshall, Evelyn Miller, Paul Mundell, Dami Olukoya, David Ridley, Lynda Rooke, Francesca Tomlinson and Phoebe Vigor.
Dramaturgy by Mike Akers, set design by Michael Vale, costume design by Katie Sykes, lighting design by Aideen Malone, music by Benji Bower, sound design by Dominic Bilkey and movement by Dan Canham.
NETWORK
adapted by Lee Hall
based on the Paddy Chayefsky film
Previews from 4 November, press night 13 November, continuing in the repertoire until 24 March
Howard Beale, news anchor-man, isn't pulling in the viewers. In his final broadcast he unravels live on screen. But when the ratings soar, the network seizes on their new found populist prophet, and Howard becomes the biggest thing on TV.
Network depicts a dystopian media landscape where opinion trumps fact. Hilarious and horrifying by turns, the iconic film by Paddy Chayefsky won four Academy Awards in 1976. Now, Lee Hall (Billy Elliot, Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour) and director Ivo Van Hove (Hedda Gabler) bring his masterwork to the stage for the first time, with Bryan Cranston (All the Way, for which he won the Tony for Best Actor, Breaking Bad and Trumbo for which he was nominated for an Oscar) in the role of Howard Beale.
Set and lighting design by Jan Versweyveld, video design by Tal Yarden, costume design by An D'Huys, music and sound design by Eric Sleichim.
A very limited number of additional on stage seats will be released in the autumn - see the NT website for more information.
Network is produced in association with Patrick Myles, David Luff, Ros Povey and Lee Menzies.
Generously supported by Marcia Grand for the memory of Richard Grand.
PINOCCHIO
by Dennis Kelly
With songs and score from the Walt Disney film by Leigh Harline, Ned Washington and Paul J Smith
adapted by Martin Lowe
Previews from 1 December, press night 13 December, on sale until 7 April
On a quest to be truly alive, Pinocchio leaves Geppetto's workshop with Jiminy Cricket in tow. Their electrifying adventure takes them from alpine forests to Pleasure Island to the bottom of the ocean. This spectacular new production brings together the director of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the writer of Matilda the Musical.
For the first time on stage, featuring unforgettable music and songs from the Walt Disney film including I've Got No Strings, Give a Little Whistle and When You Wish upon a Star in dazzling new arrangements, Pinocchio comes to life as never before.
Cast includes Joe Idris-Roberts (Pinocchio), Audrey Brisson (Jiminy Cricket), Annette McLaughlin (Blue Lady), David Langham (The Fox), David Kirkbride (Coachman), Dawn Sievewright (Lampy), Chris Jarman (Stromboli) together with Stuart Angell, Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge, Stephanie Bron, James Charlton, Rebecca Jayne-Davies, Sarah Kameela Impey, Anabel Kutay, Michael Lin, Jack North, Clemmie Sveaas, Michael Taibi, Scarlet Wilderink and Jack Wolfe.
John Tiffany directs Pinocchio by Dennis Kelly, with songs and score from the Walt Disney film by Leigh Harline, Ned Washington and Paul J. Smith newly adapted by Martin Lowe. With design and puppet co-design by Bob Crowley, lighting design by Paule Constable, music supervision and orchestrations by Martin Lowe, choreography by Steven Hoggett, puppetry and puppet co-design by Toby Olié, sound design by Simon Baker and illusions by Jamie Harrison.
Half-price tickets for under-18s are available for all performances (excluding £15 tickets). Additional family tickets for the run will be released in a ballot closer to the performance dates - see the NT website for more information.
There will be a relaxed performance of Pinocchio on 17 March at 1.30pm
Presented by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions.
DORFMAN THEATRE
MOSQUITOES
Previews from 18 July, press night 25 July continuing in repertoire until 28 September
Alice is a scientist. She lives in Geneva. As the Large Hadron Collider starts up in 2008, she is on the brink of the most exciting work of her life, searching for the Higgs boson particle. Jenny is her sister. She lives in Luton. She spends a lot of time Googling. When tragedy throws them together, the collision threatens them all with chaos.
Mosquitoes by Lucy Kirkwood will have its world premiere in the Dorfman Theatre in July. Rufus Norris directs this new play about families and particle physics with Olivia Williams in the role of Alice and Olivia Colman as her sister Jenny. Cast also includes: Amanda Boxer, Cait Davis, Vanessa Emme, Yoli Fuller, Paul Hilton, Joseph Quinn and Sofia Stuart.
Design by Katrina Lindsay, lighting design by Paule Constable, music by Adam Cork, sound design by Paul Arditti and video design by Finn Ross and Ian William Galloway.
Mosquitoes is supported by Winton Philanthropies and Rosetrees Trust. This play is a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Plays Award.
The production is currently sold out. There are day tickets available and every Friday at 1pm an allocation of £20 tickets will be released for the following week's performances, as part of Friday Rush. Friday Rush tickets are available to book online only and are limited to two per customer.
THE MAJORITY
a new play by Rob Drummond
Previews from 11 August, press night 14 August, continuing until 28 August
Following the acclaimed run of Bullet Catch in The Shed, Rob Drummond returns to the National with a new one-man show about democracy. The Majority charts Rob's journey as he navigates the Scottish independence referendum, Brexit, Trump...and whatever today brings. So take your seat and push the button. Yes or No. Can you change the show with your votes? Every night will be different depending on the majority.
Directed by David Overend, design by Jemima Robinson, lighting design by Michael Harpur, music and sound by Scott Twynholm, video associate Mogzi Bromley-Morgans.
Originally co-commissioned with The Arches, Glasgow.
BEGINNING
a new play by David Eldridge
Previews from 5 October, press night 12 October, continuing in the repertoire until 14 November
It's the early hours of the morning and Danny's the last straggler at Laura's party. The flat's in a mess. And so are they. One more drink? Polly Findlay directs this new play by David Eldridge (Market Boy, Under the Blue Sky, In Basildon). Tender and funny, it's an intimate look at the first fragile moments of risking your heart and taking a chance. Justine Mitchell plays Laura, Sam Troughton plays Danny.
Design by Fly Davis, lighting design by Jack Knowles, sound design by Paul Arditti and movement by Naomi Said.
BARBER SHOP CHRONICLES
by Inua Ellams
a co-production with Fuel and West Yorkshire Playhouse
Currently in repertoire until 8th July, returning in November
Following a sell-out run at the Dorfman this summer, Inua Ellams' play about stories from barber shops across the globe returns to the National Theatre in November. Tickets go on sale online and by phone from 1pm on Monday 19 June.
Newsroom, political platform, local hot-spot, confession box, preacher-pulpit and football stadium. For generations, African men have gathered in barber shops to discuss the world.
This dynamic play journeys from a barber shop in London, to Johannesburg, Harare, Kampala, Lagos and Accra. These are places where the banter can be barbed and the truth is always telling.
Barber Shop Chronicles is Inua Ellams' third play at the National, following the exhilarating The 14th Tale and Black T-shirt Collection.
The current cast includes Fisayo Akinade, Hammed Animashaun, Peter Bankolé, Maynard Eziashi, Simon Manyonda, Patrice Naiambana, Cyril Nri, Kwami Odoom, Sule Rimi, Abdul Salis, David Webber, and Anthony Welsh.
Casting for November to be confirmed in due course. Directed by Bijan Sheibani, design by Rae Smith, lighting design by Jack Knowles, movement direction by Aline David and sound design by Gareth Fry.
Barber Shop Chronicles will play at West Yorkshire Playhouse 12 - 29 July.
CURRENT PRODUCTIONS IN REPERTOIRE AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE
OLIVIER THEATRE
SALOMÉ
a new play by Yaël Farber
Continuing in the repertoire until 15 July
An occupied desert nation. A radical from the wilderness on hunger strike. A girl whose mysterious dance will change the course of the world. This charged retelling turns the infamous biblical tale on its head, placing the girl we call Salomé at the centre of a revolution.
Internationally acclaimed director Yaël Farber (Les Blancs) draws on multiple accounts to create her urgent, hypnotic production on the Olivier stage.
Designed by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Tim Lutkin, music and sound by Adam Cork, movement direction by Ami Shulman, fight direction by Kate Waters and dramaturgy by Drew Lichtenberg. Cast includes Philip Arditti, Paul Chahidi, Ramzi Choukair, Uriel Emil, Olwen Fouéré, Roseanna Frascona, Lloyd Hutchinson, AiDan Kelly, Yasmin Levy, Theo T J Lowe, Isabella Nefar, Lubana al Quntar, and Raad Rawi.
Hundreds of Travelex tickets at £15 available per performance.
This production is supported by Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater.
Broadcast to cinemas by NT Live on 22 June.
COMMON
a new play by DC Moore
a co-production with Headlong
Continuing in the repertoire until 5 August
Mary's the best liar, rogue, thief and faker in this whole septic isle. And she's back.
As the factory smoke of the industrial revolution belches out from the cities, Mary is swept up in the battle of her former home. The common land, belonging to all, is disappearing. D C Moore's dark and funny new play is an epic tale of unsavoury action and England's lost land.
Headlong's Artistic Director, Jeremy Herrin, (People, Places and Things, This House) directs Anne-Marie Duff as Mary. Cast also includes Ian-Lloyd Anderson, Lois Chimimba, Peta Cornish, Anna Crichlow, John Dagleish, Brian Doherty, Amy Downham, Trevor Fox, Hannah Hutch, Cush Jumbo, Tim McMullan, John O'Dowd, Ian Shaw and Edward Wolstenholme.
Design by Richard Hudson, lighting design by Paule Constable, music by Stephen Warbeck, sound design by Ian Dickinson, movement direction by Joseph Alford, dance by Siân Williams, puppetry by Laura Cubitt and fight Directors Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown of RC-ANNIE Ltd.
Hundreds of Travelex tickets at £15 available per performance.
LYTTELTON THEATRE
ANGELS IN AMERICA: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes
Continuing in the repertoire until 19 August
America in the mid-1980s. In the midst of the AIDS crisis, and a conservative Reagan administration, New Yorkers grapple with life and death, love and sex, heaven and hell.
This new staging of Tony Kushner's multi-award-winning two-part play is directed by Olivier and Tony award-winning director Marianne Elliott (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and War Horse). Part One: Millennium Approaches was first performed at the NT in 1992, and was joined by Perestroika in a double-bill the following year. 2017 marks the 25th anniversary of the shows.
Set design by Ian MacNeil, costume design by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Paule Constable, choreography and movement by Robby Graham, music by Adrian Sutton, sound design by Ian Dickinson, puppetry direction and movement by Finn Caldwell, puppetry design by Finn Caldwell and Nick Barnes, illusions by Chris Fisher, aerial direction by Gwen Hales and fight direction by Kate Waters.
The cast is Stuart Angell, Mark Arnold, Arun Blair-Mangat, Susan Brown, Laura Caldow, Andrew Garfield, Denise Gough, Kate Harper, John Hastings, Claire Lambert, Nathan Lane, Amanda Lawrence, James McArdle, Becky Namgauds, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Russell Tovey, Paksie Vernon, Stan West and Lewis Wilkins.
The Angels in America ballot presented by Delta Air Lines - hundreds of £20 tickets will be released in the final two ballots, the last closing on 26 July.
Broadcast to cinemas by NT Live - Part One on 20 July, Part Two on 27 July
NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE
NT Live will be broadcasting five productions to 700 venues across the UK and 60 countries around the world
Salomé - a radical retelling of the Biblical story of one young woman's political awakening. Written and directed by Yaël Farber. Broadcast live from the NT on Thursday 22 June.
Angels in America - Marianne Elliott's new production of Tony Kushner's Angels in America will be broadcast live from the NT in two parts. Part 1: Millennium Approaches on Thursday 20 July and Part 2: Perestroika on Thursday 27 July.
Yerma - Billie Piper stars in Yerma as a woman driven to the unthinkable by her desperate desire to have a child. Simon Stone creates a radical production of Lorca's achingly powerful masterpiece. Broadcast live from the Young Vic on Thursday 31 August (international screenings from 21 September).
Young Marx - Rory Kinnear plays Marx and Oliver Chris, Engels, in this new comedy about Marx's time as a 32-year-old revolutionary in 1850 London. Written by Richard Bean and Clive Coleman and directed by Nicholas Hytner. Broadcast live from The Bridge Theatre on 7 December.
Julius Caesar - Ben Whishaw and Michelle Fairley play Brutus and Cassius, leaders of the coup, David Calder plays Caesar and David Morrissey is Mark Antony, who brings Rome back under control after the conspirators' defeat in this production of Shakespeare's classic. Directed by Nicholas Hytner. Broadcast live from The Bridge Theatre on 22 March 2018.
Sky Arts is the UK sponsor for National Theatre Live.
Find your nearest venue at ntlive.com
NATIONAL THEATRE THROUGHOUT THE UK, IN THE WEST END AND INTERNATIONALLY
The NT will tour to 49 venues in 37 towns and cities across the UK in 2017-18
OSLO
Winner of the 2017 Tony Award for Best Play, the acclaimed Lincoln Center Theater production of Oslo transfers to the Harold Pinter Theatre in the West End from 30 September until 30 December 2017 following a limited run at the NT.
This gripping new play by JT Rogers, directed by Bartlett Sher, tells the true story of how one young couple, Norwegian diplomat Mona Juul and her husband, social scientist Terje Rød-Larsen planned and orchestrated top-secret, high-level meetings between the State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation, which culminated in the signing of the historic 1993 Oslo Accords. OsloThePlay.com
PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS
The National Theatre, Headlong and St Ann's Warehouse in association with Bryan Singer Productions will present the National Theatre/Headlong production of People, Places and Things by Duncan Macmillan at St Ann's Warehouse in New York from 19 October to 19 November 2017.
Directed by Jeremy Herrin, Macmillan's intoxicating new play opened at the NT's Dorfman Theatre in autumn 2015, and transferred to Wyndham's Theatre in March 2016 where it became the 'must-see' show of the season. Denise Gough will reprise her award-winning role as Emma. Gough's raw and heart-breaking performance as an actress whose life has spun recklessly out of control because of her addiction to drink and drugs was unanimously acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, earning her the 2016 Olivier Award and the Critics' Circle Award for Best Actress. Further cast details to be announced.
Generous support to the National Theatre for People, Places and Things from: Areté Foundation / Betsy & Ed Cohen and Leila Maw Straus MBE.
Duncan Macmillan's People, Places and Things will also begin a major UK tour with a new cast this autumn, in a co-production between the National Theatre, Headlong, HOME and Exeter Northcott Theatre. Full casting to be announced shortly. The tour begins at HOME, Manchester (22 September - 7 October), and continues to Oxford Playhouse (11 - 14 October), Theatre Royal Bath (17 - 21 October), Bristol Old Vic (24 - 28 October), Exeter Northcott Theatre (31 October - 4 November), Nuffield Southampton Theatres (7 - 11 November) and finish at Liverpool Playhouse Theatre (14 - 18 November).
Set design by Bunny Christie, the Olivier and Tony Award winning designer of the NT's production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Costume design by Christina Cunningham, lighting by James Farncombe, video by Andrzej Goulding and music is composed by Matthew Herbert with Olivier Award-winning sound design by Tom Gibbons.
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, adapted by Simon Stephens from Mark Haddon's bestselling book and directed by Marianne Elliott, had its final West End performance on Saturday 3 June 2017, having been seen by over one million people in London. Curious Incident has won seven Olivier Awards, including Best New Play, Best Director, Best Design, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design - as well as five Tony Awards during its run on Broadway. Its preferred card partner is American Express.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time continues a major tour of the UK and Ireland until September 2017, with upcoming visits to the Theatre Royal, Plymouth (26 June - 1 July), Birmingham Hippodrome (4 - 8 July), Venue Cymru, Llandudno (11 - 15 July), Cliffs Pavilion, Southend (18 - 22 July), Liverpool Empire Theatre (25 - 29 July), Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (31 July - 5 August), His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen (8 - 12 August), King's Theatre, Glasgow (14 - 19 August), Theatre Royal, Norwich (29 August - 2 September) and Milton Keynes Theatre (4 - 16 September 2017). curiousonstage.com
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will continue on an international tour, visiting the Koninklijk Theater Carré in Amsterdam, Holland (20 September - 1 October 2017) and the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto, Canada (10 Oct - 19 November 2017), with further dates and venues to be announced.
MY COUNTRY; A WORK IN PROGRESS
My Country; a work in progress, created by Rufus Norris and Carol Ann Duffy and based on the words of people from around the UK, will complete a UK tour at Theatre Royal, Stratford East, London on 24 June. It has been adapted for TV by the BBC and is due to be broadcast in the autumn.
JANE EYRE
Jane Eyre, Sally Cookson's energetic and imaginative new adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's masterpiece, a co-production between the NT and Bristol Old Vic, continues to tour until 23 September, with upcoming visits to the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (19 - 24 June), Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (27 June - 1 July), Theatre Royal, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (3 - 8 July), Milton Keynes Theatre (10 - 15 July), Theatre Royal, Norwich (17 - 22 July), Brighton Theatre Royal (24 - 29 July), Grand Theatre, Leeds (31 July - 5 August), Grand Opera House, Belfast (21 - 26 August), His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen (28 August - 2 September), Birmingham REP (4 - 16 September) and Hull New Theatre (18 - 23 September) before returning to Lyttelton Theatre from 26 September to 21 October.
janeeyreonstage.co.uk
The NT's acclaimed production of War Horse based on Michael Morpurgo's novel, and directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris begins its second major tour of the UK on 15 September 2017 at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, where it will run until 14 October 2017. The tour continues its journey around the UK to Bristol Hippodrome (18 October - 11 November 2017), the Empire Theatre, Liverpool (15 November - 2 December 2017), New Theatre, Oxford (13 December 2017 - 6 January 2018), Brighton Centre (25 January - 10 February 2018), Bradford Alhambra Theatre (14 February - 10 March 2018) and the Nottingham Royal Concert Hall (14 March - 7 April 2018), Edinburgh Festival Theatre (18 April - 12 May 2018), Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (16 May - 9 June 2018), The Lowry, Salford (13 - 30 June 2018), Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (4 - 28 July 2018), New Victoria Theatre, Woking (1 - 18 August 2018), Plymouth Theatre Royal (29 August - 15 September), Milton Keynes Theatre (19 September - 6 October 2018) and Glasgow SEC (15 January - 2 February 2019). Further dates and venues will be announced.
warhorseonstage.com
HEDDA GABLER
Following its acclaimed run at the NT's Lyttelton Theatre, Patrick Marber's vital new version of Ibsen's masterpiece Hedda Gabler directed by Ivo Van Hove and with Lizzy Watts in the title role, begins a UK tour at Theatre Royal Plymouth (2 - 7 October). The tour will then go to the Edinburgh Festival Theatre (17 - 21 October), Leicester Curve (23 - 28 October), The Lowry Salford (30 October - 4 November), Norwich Theatre Royal (7 - 11 November), Hull New Theatre (13 - 18 November), His Majesty's Theatre Aberdeen (21 - 25 November), Northampton Royal & Derngate (28 November - 2 December), Glasgow Thetare Royal (15 - 20 January 2018), Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton (23 - 27 January), New Victoria Woking (29 January - 3 February), Nottingham Theatre Royal (5 - 10 February) , Newcastle Theatre Royal (12 - 17 February), Grand Opera House York (20 - 24 February) and Milton Keynes Theatre (27 February - 3 March). Further casting to be announced.heddagableronstage.com
RIVER STAGE
Back by popular demand, this summer sees the return of the free outdoor River Stage Festival. The festival runs for five weekends with take-overs from East London's The Glory, HOME Manchester, WOMAD, Rambert and the National Theatre itself bringing audiences an eclectic mix of performances that include the very best dance acts, DJ's and outdoor performances.
Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre said, 'It's brilliant to welcome back the River Stage Festival. I'm delighted that this range of partners from across the country have decided to join us this year, and the assortment of performance, music, dance and workshops free for all ages is a vibrant and vital part of the National Theatre programme this summer.'
The festival is a collaborative partnership showcasing world-class programming and presenting new and diverse artists and acts, with something for everyone to enjoy. It takes place on the River Stage, in front of the NT, with events every Friday evening and all day on Saturday and Sunday from 28 July to 28 August. Join us this summer for theatre, guest DJs, family fun, vibrant dance and the very best in live music acts - this free summer festival is not to be missed.
LEARNING AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE
NT Learning opens up theatre to people of all ages and supports theatre education across the UK with a wide range of projects and events.
CONNECTIONS 2017
Connections, the largest youth theatre festival in the UK celebrates brilliant new writing for young people aged 13 - 19. This year's festival at the National Theatre will see performances by ten companies, chosen from over 250 school and youth theatre companies from 28 June to 3 July.
Over the year 4,000 young people from every corner of the UK have worked with 28 partner theatres and performed ten brand new plays, commissioned from some of the country's most exciting writers. The result is an unforgettable feast of theatre made by and for young people.
The productions invited to appear at the NT in the culminating week of this year's Connections Festival are;
Wednesday 28 June the Dorfman Theatre
7pm - The Snow Dragons by Lizzie Nunnery, performed by Lymm High School (Warrington, Cheshire)
8.30pm - Extremism by Anders Lustgarten, performed by Theatre Royal Stratford East Youth Theatre + (Stratford, London)
Thursday 29 June the Dorfman Theatre
7pm - Musical Differences by Robin French, performed by NCN Actors (Nottingham)
8.30pm - Three by Harriet Braun, performed by Kindred KYT (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire)
Friday 30 June the Dorfman Theatre
7pm - The School Film by Patrick Marber, performed by Kingsley Bideford Community Theatre Company (Bideford, Devon)
8.30pm - The Monstrum by KEllie Smith, performed by The Marlowe Youth Theatre (Canterbury, Kent)
Saturday 1 July in the Dorfman Theatre
7pm - #YOLO by Matthew Bulgo, performed by West Glamorgan Youth Theatre Company (Port Tennant, Swansea)
8.30pm - Status Update by Tim Etchells, performed by Rotherham College (Rotherham, South Yorkshire)
Monday 3 July in the Olivier Theatre
7pm - Zero for Young Dudes! by Alistair McDowall, performed by Orange Tree Theatre Connections Company (Richmond, London)
8.30pm - FOMO by Suhayla El-Bushra, performed by CASTEnsemble (Shardlow, Derbyshire)
To book tickets go to the NT website
Be part of Connections 2018
To be part of next year's festival, sign up now to Connections 2018. The National Theatre is looking for 300 youth theatre and school companies across the UK to take part.
Applications are now open
nationaltheatre.org.uk/connections
Connections is supported by:
The Buffini Chao Foundation, Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, Delta Air Lines, Jacqueline and Richard Worswick, The EBM Charitable Trust, Samantha and Richard Campbell-Breeden, The Garvey Family Trust, Susan Miller and Byron Grote, Hays Travel Foundation, Faithorn Farrell Timms and supporters of the Connections Appeal
FREE EXHIBITIONS
A changing programme of free exhibitions taking inspiration from the work on our stages, the NT Archive and our national programme. In Visible Ink: Tracing LGBT+ stories at the NT, follows some of the changes for the LGBT+ community over the past 25 years, Lyttelton Lounge from 23 June. We're here because we're here - the story of the project as it happened across the UK is in the Wolfson Galleryuntil 31 August. The project was conceived and created by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller in collaboration with Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre.
National Theatre Posters is in the Wolfson Gallery from October 2017. Curated by design critic and writer Rick Poynor, the exhibition explores poster design from 1963 to the present.
From November in the Lyttelton Lounge, The Linbury Prize for Stage Design showcases work by 12 emerging designers working with some of the UK's leading theatre, opera and dance companies.
NEW VIEWS 2017
The NT's annual playwriting programme and competition for 15 - 19 year-olds.
The 2017 New Views winning play is Dead Don't Floss, by 17 year-old Beattie Green from St Marylebone School in London.
Beattie Green's play was chosen out of over 300 entries which came from 62 schools across the UK, as well as a partner theatre programme at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. The winning play was selected from a shortlist of ten by a panel of judges including NT Senior Dramaturg Nina Steiger, playwrights Simon Stephens (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) and Anupama Chandrasekhar (NT writer in residence) and actor Tamara Lawrance.
Dead Don't Floss will be performed in the Dorfman Theatre at 4.30pm and 7.30pm on Tuesday 4 July.
Rehearsed readings of shortlisted plays will take place in the Duffield Studio on Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 July at 11.30am and 2pm.
For more information, to book tickets or to sign up to New Views 2017/2018 visit
nationaltheatre.org.uk/newviews
New Views is supported by Old Possum's Practical Trust, Chapman Charitable Trust, Golsoncott Foundation, The Steel Charitable Trust and Unity Theatre Trust.
The National Theatre's Partner for Learning is Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
ENTRY PASS
Entry Pass, the NT's scheme which offers low-price tickets to under-25-year-olds, is now in its tenth year. To encourage even more young people to see our productions, and with the support of Delta Air Lines, the National has doubled the amount of amount of tickets available to Entry Pass members this year to 25,000. Salomé and Common were the first shows with double the amount of Entry Pass tickets available to book. Tickets are £7.50 for Entry Pass members and £10 for their friends.
Entry Pass is part of the NT's ongoing commitment to offering low-price tickets: this year, 30% of all seats on the South Bank will be available at £20 or under.
Entry Pass is supported by Delta Air Lines.
ACCESS
The NT is dedicated to making the best theatre and sharing it with as many people as possible. Access facilities include captioned, audio-described, British Sign Language and relaxed performances, as well as touch tours, braille and large print cast lists and infrared audio headsets. For more information visit nationaltheatre.org.uk/access or call Box Office: 020 7452 3000.
SPONSORS
The National Theatre would appreciate an acknowledgement in the body of the text and/or as a separate footnote following editorial copy.
Travelex £15 Tickets sponsored by Travelex
The National Theatre is working in partnership with American Express
The National Theatre's Partner for Learning is Bank of America Merrill Lynch
The National Theatre's Partner for Connectivity is Cisco
The National Theatre's Outdoor Media Partner is Clear Channel
The National Theatre's Official Airline is Delta Air Lines
The Official Hotel Partner of the National Theatre is Edwardian Hotels London
The National Theatre's Workshops Partner is Flints Theatrical Chandlers
The National Theatre's International Hotel Partner is Intercontinental Hotels Group
New writing at the National Theatre is supported by ITV plc
The National Theatre's Pouring Partner is Nyetimber
The National Theatre's Partner for Lighting and Energy is Philips
Amadeus is generously supported by the Amadeus Production Syndicate
Network is generously supported by Marcia Grand for the memory of Richard Grand
People, Places and Things is generously supported by Areté Foundation / Betsy & Ed Cohen and Leila Maw Straus MBE
Follies is supported by the Follies production syndicate
Mosquitoes is supported by Winton Philanthropies and Rosetrees Trust. This play is a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Plays Award
Sky Arts is the UK sponsor for National Theatre Live
The National Theatre wishes to acknowledge its partner National Angels Limited
The National Theatre is supported using public funding by Arts Council England
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