National Theatre Announces Talks And Events To Accompany New Season

The new season of talks and events at the NT will include a series of events related to The Lehman Trilogy; Deputy Artistic Director of the National Theatre Ben Power will discuss The Stages of a Translating a Play, starting with the literal translation through to the challenges and rewards of writing an adaptation. Actors Adam Godley, Ben Miles and Simon Russell Beale will then reflect on the challenges and rewards of performing in the production, whilst The Lehman Trilogy Up Close: Talks and Show Package will offer the opportunity to see and explore the show through a series of talks, discussions and exclusive demonstrations, with contributions from academics, theatre-makers and performers.

Events related to the NT production of Julie will include a day session Exploring Julie and the work of August Strindberg with readings from the current production of Julie and other Strindberg plays by members of the NT company. An exploration of Feminism and Hierarchy on Stage will follow, inspired by this new production.

A Short History of Ireland with Alvin Jackson guides you through 19th-century Ireland and giving historical context to Brian Friel's Translations. Further Translations related events will follow with Disappearing Languages, which will address the importance of preserving the hundreds of endangered languages across the globe. An Introduction to Irish Drama: Boucicault to Friel will then explore a century of Irish drama, drawing on both Translations and An Octoroon, and finally Director Ian Rickson will reflect on the production.

Drawing a parallel to An Octoroon, Steve Martin will explore The Lasting Impact of the Slave Trade on the world, and how a national history can leave a psychological legacy through generations, particularly focusing on black British history. The Untold History of Blackface will then reveal untold stories of blackface theatrical make-up. It will explore cultural context, with reference to historical figures Oscar Wilde, P T Barnum and Dion Boucicault - the Irish playwright whose sensational melodrama inspired Jacobs-Jenkins's play An Octoroon. Director Ned Bennett and Writer Branden Jacobs-Jenkins will also take part in a talk where they will reflect on the production.

Additions to Absolute Hell related events begin with actors Kate Fleetwood and Jonathan Slinger reflecting on the challenges and rewards of performing the roles of Christine Foskett and Maurice Hussey, followed by Director Joe Hill-Gibbins and Designer Lizzie Clachan also reflecting on the production.

Talks and events not related to the repertoire include a celebration of the stage plays and life of David Storey with readings from his three plays staged at the NT and an opportunity to explore Archive material connected with the productions. In Granville Barker on Theatre with Roger Michell and Colin Chambers, a collection of his lost or forgotten theatre writings will be used to reassess the work of this major figure in British theatre. A panel event will launch Oberon's new book Reasons to be Graeae, celebrating the first 38 years of the UK's first disabled-led theatre company. Signed copies of the book will be available to buy following the event. Number 1 bestselling crime-writer Jo Nesbo will also discuss his gripping new thriller, Macbeth, on the eve of its publication.

The Playwriting at the NT series will also continue this season with sessions from Ben Power, Polly Stenham and Laura Wade. These sessions give an insight into approaches to developing your playwriting skills with a different playwright each month and tickets can be bought individually or as a combined ticket for all three sessions. A ten-week course, How to Begin Playwriting with Andrew Muir, will also offer an insight into approaches to beginning playwriting. This course will focus on techniques, exercises and approaches to writing, with opportunities for discussion and shared group critiques.

A new exhibition, How Great Thou Art, will open in the Wolfson Gallery and Dorfman Foyer in April, featuring photographs by London-based photographer Charlie Phillips. Having moved to London from Jamaica in 1953, Charlie was given his first camera by a Black American GI who was stationed near Notting Hill during the Cold War in the 1960s. With his recently acquired Kodak Retina, Charlie set about documenting the lives of fellow members of the African diaspora. How Great Thou Art is a photographic documentary of the social and emotional traditions that surround death in London's African Caribbean community. This will be accompanied by a talk with Photographer Charlie Phillips in conversation about his career and the exhibition.

To book for these events and for more information please visit the NT website

Listings:

• A Short History of Ireland with Alvin Jackson Tue 12 June, 6 - 7pm, Cottesloe Room, £7/£5
• Disappearing Languages Wed 6 June, 6 - 7pm, Cottesloe Room, £7/£5
• Introduction to Irish Drama: Boucicault to Friel Fri 8 June, 2 - 5pm, Cottesloe Room, £30/£20/£7.50
• Director Ian Rickson on Translations Fri 8 June, 6 - 6.45pm, Olivier, £7/£5
• Exploring Julie and the work of August Strindberg Wed 20 June, 10.30am - 4.30pm, Cottesloe Room, £55/£40/£7.50
• Feminism and Hierarchy on Stage Wed 18 July, 6 - 7pm, Cottesloe Room, £7/£5
• The Stages of a Translating a Play Tue 10 July, 5.30 - 6.30pm, Cottesloe Room, £7/£5
• Actors Simon Russell Beale, Adam Godley and Ben Miles on The Lehman Trilogy Thu 26 July, 3 - 4pm, Lyttelton, £7/£5
• The Lehman Trilogy Up Close: Talks and Show Package Tue 7 Aug, 10.30am - 5.30pm and Wed 8 Aug, 10am - 4.30pm, Cottesloe Room, £175 / £165 senior citizen / £75 students
• The Lasting Impact of the Slave Trade Tue 3 July, 6 - 7pm, Cottesloe Room, £7/£5
• The Untold History of Blackface Tue 19 June, 6 - 7pm, Cottesloe Room, £7/£5
• Director Ned Bennett and Writer Branden Jacobs-Jenkins on An Octoroon Fri 6 July, 6 - 6.45pm, Dorfman, £7/£5
• Kate Fleetwood and Jonathan Slinger on Absolute Hell Wed 13 June, 4 - 5pm, Lyttelton, £7/£5
• Director Joe Hill-Gibbins and Designer Lizzie Clachan on Absolute Hell Wed 13 June, 5.30 - 6.15pm, Lyttelton, £7/£5
• David Storey: Readings and Remembrances Sat 12 May, 11.30am - 1pm, Cottesloe Room, £7/£5
• Granville Barker on Theatre with Roger Michell and Colin Chambers Mon 7 May, 6 - 7pm, Cottesloe Room, £7/£5
• Reasons to be Graeae Thu 26 April, 6 - 7pm, Cottesloe Room, £7/£5
• Jo Nesbo: Macbeth Wed 4 April, 6pm, Dorfman Theatre, £7/£5
• Playwriting at the NT with Ben Power Sat 26 May, 10.30am - 1pm, Cottesloe Room, £30/£20
• Playwriting at the NT with Polly Stenham Sat 23 June, 10.30am - 1pm, Cottesloe Room, £30/£20
• Playwriting at the NT with Laura Wade Sat 21 July, 10.30am - 1pm, Cottesloe Room, £30/£20
• How to Begin Playwriting with Andrew Muir Fri mornings, 20 April - 6 July (not Fri 25 May or Fri 1 June), 10.30am - 12.30pm, Clore Learning Centre, £500/£350
• Exhibition: How Great Thou Art Sat 21 April-Sat 23 June, Free during opening hours, Wolfson Gallery and Dorfman Foyer
• Photographer Charlie Phillips on his exhibition How Great Thou Art Sat 12 May, 5 - 6pm, Cottesloe Room, £7/£5

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