NATIONAL THEATRE: JULY 2014 – JANUARY 2015
In the Travelex £15 Tickets season, Rufus Norris directs BEHIND THE BEAUTIFUL FOREVERS by David Hare, based on the book by Katherine Boo; and DV8 Physical Theatre returns with JOHN, a new verbatim dance-theatre work by Lloyd Newson
The NT Future redevelopment sees the opening of the Dorfman Theatre with David Byrne and Fatboy Slim’s musical HERE LIES LOVE, alongside the
Clore Learning Centre, Max Rayne Centre and a new riverside café and bar
3 WINTERS by Tena Štivicic is premiered in the Lyttelton, directed by Howard Davies
Polly Findlay directs Robert Louis Stevenson’s TREASURE ISLAND, adapted by Bryony Lavery, in the Olivier
Richard Bean’s GREAT BRITAIN plays in the Lyttelton Theatre until 23 August, directed by Nicholas Hytner
ROMEO AND JULIET, in a version for younger audiences by Ben Power, returns to the Temporary Theatre
On tour: ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS, WAR HORSE and THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE broadcasts Medea, JOHN and Treasure Island, David Hare’s Skylight from the West End, and encore screenings of Frankenstein
WATCH THIS SPACE FESTIVAL tours Lambeth and Southwark
Platforms and Exhibitions
BEHIND THE BEAUTIFUL FOREVERS Travelex £15 Tickets, Olivier Theatre
Previews from 10 November, press night 18 November, continuing in repertoire
See also Platforms, page 12
Rufus Norris directs BEHIND THE BEAUTIFUL FOREVERS by David Hare, based on the book by Katherine Boo, opening in the Olivier Theatre on 18 November as part of the Travelex £15 Tickets season. The production will be designed by Katrina Lindsay, with lighting by Paule Constable and sound by Paul Arditti. The cast includes Meera Syal.
India is surging with global ambition. But beyond the luxury hotels surrounding Mumbai airport lies a makeshift slum, full of people with plans of their own. Zehrunisa and her son Abdul aim to recycle enough rubbish to fund a proper house. Sunil, twelve and stunted, wants to eat until he’s as tall as Kalu the thief. Asha seeks to steal government anti-poverty funds to turn herself into a ‘first-class person’, while her daughter Manju intends to become the slum’s first female graduate. But their schemes are fragile; global recession threatens the garbage trade, and another slum dweller is about to make an accusation that will destroy herself and shatter the neighbourhood.
Katherine Boo spent three years in Annawadi recording the lives of its residents. From her uncompromising book, winner of the National Book Award for Non-Fiction 2012, David Hare has fashioned a tumultuous play on an epic scale.
David Hare has written fifteen original plays for the National Theatre, including The Power of Yes, Gethsemane, Stuff Happens, The Permanent Way (a co-production with Out of Joint), Amy’s View, Skylight, The Secret Rapture, The Absence of War, Murmuring Judges, Racing Demon, Pravda (written with Howard Brenton) and Plenty. His adaptations include The House of Bernarda Alba (NT) and The Blue Room (Donmar and Broadway); his many screenplays include Turks and Caicos, Salting the Battlefield, Page Eight, The Hours and The Reader.
Katherine Boo is a staff writer at The New Yorker and a former reporter and editor for The Washington Post. Her first book, Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity, also won the 2013 PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award and was a 2013 Pulitzer Finalist.
Meera Syal’s theatre work includes Rafta, Rafta for the National Theatre, Much Ado About Nothing (RSC), The Killing of Sister George (West End) and Shirley Valentine (Menier Chocolate Factory). Her television and film work includes Goodness Gracious Me, The Kumars, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, Absolutely Anything, Scoop and Anita and Me (from her own book).
In April 2015, Rufus Norris will become Director of the National Theatre, where he
has directed Table, The Amen Corner, London Road, Death and the King’s Horseman and Market Boy. Other recent work includes Feast, Vernon God Little and Tintin for the Young Vic; the Olivier Award-winning Cabaret in the West End and on tour; Les Liaisons Dangereuses on Broadway; Festen at the Almeida, West End and New York; and Doctor Dee at the Manchester Festival and ENO. Screen work includes Broken, which won the British Independent Film Award for Best Film, and the film of London Road which will be released next year.
HERE LIES LOVE Dorfman Theatre
Previews from 30 September, press night 13 October, playing until 8 January 2015
The award-winning New York production of David Byrne and Fatboy Slim’s musical HERE LIES LOVE will open the new Dorfman Theatre (formerly the Cottesloe), following its complete refurbishment as part of the NT Future project. HERE LIES LOVE plays from 30 September to 8 January, with a press night on 13 October. With concept and lyrics by David Byrne, music by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, and additional music by Tom Gandey and J Pardo; it is directed by Alex Timbers, with choreography by Annie-B Parson, set design by David Korins, costume design by Clint Ramos, lighting by Justin Townsend, sound by M. L. Dogg and Cody Spencer, and projection design by Peter Nigrini. The music supervisor is Kimberly Grigsby; Justin Levine is the collaborating music producer, and the music editor is Matt Stine.
The Public Theater’s production of HERE LIES LOVE, which premiered in New York in 2013 to critical and popular acclaim, traces the astonishing journey of Imelda Marcos, First Lady of the Philippines, from her meteoric rise to power to descent into infamy and disgrace. The new Dorfman Theatre is transformed into a pulsating club for an immersive theatrical event which combines heart-pounding beats with adrenaline-fuelled choreography and 360-degree staging.
Audiences are advised to dress comfortably and those in the pit performance area will stand and dance with the actors. There will be seating in the galleries; the performance length is 90 minutes. In addition to places bookable in advance, 20 tickets at £20 in the pit will be made available every Friday at 12 midday for the week ahead for every performance, bookable online.
David Byrne is a founding member of the band Talking Heads and creator of the record label Luaka Pop. His works include Playing the Building, an interactive sound installation at the Battery Maritime Building, New York and the Roundhouse in London; contributions to the score of The Last Emperor, for which he won an Oscar; Everything That Happens Will Happen Today, a collaboration with Brian Eno; This Must be the Place, a collaboration with Will Oldham for the soundtrack to the Sean Penn film; and Love This Giant, his collaboration with musician St. Vincent. David Byrne’s books include Bicycle Diaries and How Music Works; he also publishes and exhibits visual art, including photography and filmmaking.
Fatboy Slim, also known as Norman Cook, is a Grammy Award-winning DJ, musician and record producer. He first rose to prominence in the 1980s as bassist of the indie rock band The Housemartins, and went on to form the band, Beats International. In 1996, as Fatboy Slim, he released Better Living Through Chemistry, and his follow-up successes include You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby and Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars. In 2008 he collaborated with David Byrne and Dizzee Rascal on The Brighton Port Authority.
Alex Timbers’ credits include Rocky, Peter and the Starcatcher (co-director, Obie Award Best Director, Tony nomination Best Director), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (also book writer; Drama Desk Award Best Book, Tony nomination Best Book), and The Pee-wee Herman Show on Broadway. He is the Artistic Director of the company Les Freres Corbusier.
HERE LIES LOVE is presented by special arrangement with Joey Parnes and EMURSIVE.
The Dorfman Partner: Neptune Investment Management
The National Theatre’s Airline Partner: American Airlines
JOHN Travelex £15 Tickets, Lyttelton Theatre
Previews from 30 October, press night 4 November, playing until 13 January 2015
National Theatre Live broadcast on 9 December
See also Platforms, page 13
JOHN, a co-production between the National Theatre and DV8 Physical Theatre, conceived and directed by Lloyd Newson, opens in the Lyttelton Theatre on 30 October. The creative associate is Hannes Langolf, with set design by Anna Fleischle, lighting by Richard Godin and sound by Gareth Fry. The performers are Taylor Benjamin, Lee Boggess, Gabriel Castillo, Ian Garside, Ermira Goro, Garth Johnson, Hannes Langolf, Vivien Wood and Andi Xhuma. JOHN will be broadcast to cinemas by NT Live on 9 December.
JOHN is a new verbatim dance-theatre work by Lloyd Newson, Artistic Director of DV8 Physical Theatre. Newson interviewed more than 50 men, asking them frank questions initially about love and sex. One of those men was John.
What emerged was a story that is both extraordinary and touching. Years of crime, drug use and struggling to survive lead John on a search in which his life converges with others, in an unexpected place, unknown by most. JOHN authentically depicts real-life stories, combining movement and spoken word.
DV8 Physical Theatre return to the National following their acclaimed productions To Be Straight With You, Can We Talk About This? and Just for Show. DV8 have made 18 works and won many awards since their inception in 1986, including a Grand Prix de Danse, an International Emmy for Performing Arts, a Rose d’Or and three Prix Italia.
Contains adult themes, strong language and nudity. Suitable for 16 years +.
JOHN is co-produced by the National Theatre, Biennale de la Danse de Lyon, Théâtre de la Ville and Festival d’Automne Paris, Dansens Hus Stockholm and Dansens Hus Oslo and DV8 Physical Theatre.
3 WINTERS Lyttelton Theatre
Previews from 26 November, press night 3 December, continuing in repertoire
3 WINTERS, a new play by Tena Štivicic, directed by Howard Davies, will open in the Lyttelton Theatre on 3 December. The production will be designed by Tim Hatley with lighting design by James Farncombe, fight direction by Terry King, music by Dominic Muldowney, sound design by Mike Walker and projection design by Jon Driscoll. The cast includes Siobhan Finneran.
From the remnants of monarchy to Communism, democracy, war and the EU: Croatia 1945–2011. Set against a country in turmoil, 3 WINTERS creates the portrait of an eclectic family, held together by the courage to survive.
The Kos family argue, adapt, and fall in and out of love. World after world is erected and torn down around them. The one constant is the ivy-clad house in Zagreb, built by aristocrats, partitioned, owned by all, owned by a few; witness to four increasingly educated and independent generations of women. But when the family assemble for Lucia’s wedding, Alisa learns that her nouveau-riche brother-in-law has bought the once nationalized house. For the bride this is progress, for her sister it’s a shady act of greed. For their principled parents, finally, it’s one battle too many.
Tena Štivicic is a Croatian-born playwright who lives in London. Her previous work includes Invisible (New Wolsey Theatre), Seven Days in Zagreb, part of the European Theatre Convention project on tour throughout Europe, and Fragile! (Arcola Theatre, adapted for BBC Radio 4). She developed her play Fireflies, which premiered at the ZKM Theatre in Zagreb, at the National Theatre Studio.
Howard Davies is an Associate Director at the NT, where his productions include The Silver Tassie, Children of the Sun, The Last of the Haussmans, The Cherry Orchard, Blood and Gifts, The White Guard (Evening Standard Award for Best Director), Burnt by the Sun, Gethsemane, Her Naked Skin, Never So Good, Philistines, The Life of Galileo and Mourning Becomes Electra. His recent productions also include Howard Brenton’s Drawing the Line and 55 Days at Hampstead Theatre.
TREASURE ISLAND Olivier Theatre
Previews from 3 December, press night 10 December, continuing in repertoire
National Theatre Live broadcast on 22 January Suitable for 10 years+
See also Platforms, page 13
This winter, Robert Louis Stevenson’s story of murder, money and mutiny, TREASURE ISLAND, will be brought to life on the Olivier stage in a new adaptation by Bryony Lavery, suitable for those aged 10 and over. The production will be directed by Polly Findlay and designed by Lizzie Clachan, with lighting design by Bruno Poet, fight direction by Bret Yount, music and sound by Dan Jones and songs by John Tams. The cast includes Patsy Ferran as Jim.
It’s a dark, stormy night. The stars are out. Jim, the inn-keeper’s granddaughter, opens the door to a terrifying stranger. At the old sailor’s feet sits a huge sea-chest, full of secrets. Jim invites him in – and her dangerous voyage begins.
Bryony Lavery’s original plays include Frozen (Birmingham Rep, National Theatre and New York), Beautiful Burnout (Frantic Assembly/National Theatre of Scotland), Stockholm and The Believers (Frantic Assembly), Kursk (Young Vic) and five plays for NT Connections. Her adaptations include A Christmas Carol (Birmingham Rep/Leeds Theatre), and the forthcoming The Hundred and One Dalmatians for Chichester Festival Youth Theatre.
For the NT, Polly Findlay has directed Protest Song in the Temporary Theatre, Antigone in the Olivier Theatre, The Swan and Nightwatchman for Double Feature in the Paintframe and the German-language production of War Horse in Berlin. Her production of Arden of Faversham is currently playing at the RSC in Stratford.
Suitable for 10 years +.
NATIONAL THEATRE FUTURE
The first phase of the National’s radical transformation, NT Future, will be complete this autumn, with the opening of the new Dorfman Theatre (formerly the Cottesloe) with Here Lies Love (see page 3), the Clore Learning Centre and the new production building, the Max Rayne Centre. The Sherling High-Level Walkway will link the Clore Learning Centre and Dorfman foyer with the NT’s unique production workshops, offering the public an unprecedented view into the backstage world.
Later this summer, a new riverfront café and bar – respectively Kitchen and The Understudy – will offer all-day eating with large areas of indoor and outdoor seating, and the terraces will become revitalised green public spaces. The former Mezzanine restaurant is being refurbished to become House, serving an all-day menu from 12 midday; and a new Bookshop will offer the same great range of books, playtexts and theatre gifts. The full NT Future project is scheduled for completion in 2015.
The Clore Learning Centre
The Clore Learning Centre opens in October 2014, for the first time creating a dedicated centre at the heart of the NT for people of all ages to get involved in theatre and learn about every aspect of theatre-making, direct from the artists and staff of the National Theatre. There will be new courses and events for adults; regular activities for families; and new programmes for schools and young people: all designed to inspire participants with the skills of our backstage production departments and the work on our stages.
The Clore Learning Centre includes two spaces adjoining the Dorfman foyer and High-Level Walkway: the Duffield Studio for hands-on technical and craft workshops, and the Cottesloe Room for talks and courses. Some activities will take place in the Dorfman Theatre itself, where the new flexible seating will quickly transform to a flat floor during the daytime.
Among the highlights of the first Clore Learning Centre season are:
Introduction to Playwriting: a beginner’s guide
Scenic art: a hands-on introduction to scene-painting skills – wood graining, marbling, trompe l’oeil and more.
100 Great Plays for Women: an inspiring series of events based on Lucy Kerbel’s anthology, exploring plays that put women centre stage.
Puppetmaking: work with NT puppeteers to design and make a puppet from scratch
Family Days: for little and big imaginations, from prop-making to stage combat, something to inspire the whole family.
Theatre skills for 16-21-year-olds: stage management, special effects makeup, voice and movement, lighting and sound.
ROMEO AND JULIET in a version for young audiences Temporary Theatre
29 October – 14 November
Bijan Sheibani’s popular production of Shakespeare’s ROMEO AND JULIET, in a version for young audiences by Ben Power, returns to the National’s Temporary Theatre from 29 October – 14 November, after touring London state primary schools in the autumn term. It will also visit Stratford Circus with performances for east London primary schools from 25 – 28 November.
A modern city. A deadly feud. And a pair of star-crossed lovers. Set against a vibrant urban backdrop, bursting with excitement, colour, dancing and live song, a company of eight recreate the most famous love story of all time. A swift, contemporary celebration of Shakespeare’s masterpiece bringing Romeo and Juliet to life for a new generation.
Suitable for ages 8 – 12 years. Family workshops available during half term:
nationaltheatre.org.uk/primary
BEYOND THE SOUTH BANK
WATCH THIS SPACE Festival – on the road Until 31 August
This year the National Theatre’s WATCH THIS SPACE Festival packs its bags and heads out on tour, taking some of the best free outdoor entertainment around South London. Throughout July and August, the festival hub is at St John’s Church on Waterloo Roundabout, with dancers, musicians, aerialists, jugglers and acrobats performing in and around the churchyard. The programme includes lively lunchtime music on the lawn, quick evening shows before the commute and days of fun for families, as well as special guest appearances during the church’s Sunday Service. WTS will also pop up with shows in unexpected places across Lambeth and Southwark including many existing local festivals; from Brockwell Park and Brixton Market to Peckham Square and the Aylesbury Estate. The programme features the best of UK work, inspirational international visitors and some newly commissioned surprises.
ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS on tour
Richard Bean’s ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS continues its third UK tour, with forthcoming visits to Plymouth, Bradford, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Dartford, Aylesbury, Crawley, Stoke-on-Trent, Liverpool, Bath, Northampton, Canterbury, Leicester, Aberdeen, Truro, Leeds, Belfast, Dublin, Norwich, High Wycombe, Brighton, Salford, Sunderland, Nottingham, Bromley, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Oxford, Wimbledon, York and Wolverhampton.
WAR HORSE on tour
War Horse continues its tour of the UK, with forthcoming visits to: Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (until 19 July); The Lowry, Salford (23 July – 20 September); The Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent (24 September – 11 October); and Bristol Hippodrome (14 January – 14 February 2015); and visits South Africa from October 2014 – January 2015. The West End production continues at the New London Theatre, currently booking until February 2015.
THE ELEPHANTOM in the West End
The National Theatre’s hugely popular adaptation of Ross Collins’ much loved children’s picture book The Elephantom, about a little girl who is unexpectedly visited by a giant blue ghost-elephant, is playing a strictly limited summer season at the New London Theatre, Drury Lane from 30 June to 6 September (press performance: 5 July at 10am). For children of 3+ and grown-ups of all ages, there are daytime performances at 10am, 11.30am, and 2.30pm while War Horse continues its regular performance schedule.
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME on tour, in London and New York
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – winner of seven Olivier Awards – is currently running at the Gielgud Theatre (opening night 8 July); its Broadway premiere is on 5 October at the Barrymore Theatre, New York. Curious Incident will tour the UK from December 2014 – June 2015, visiting The Lowry, Salford; New Theatre, Hull; Grand Opera House, York; Theatre Royal, Newcastle; Regent, Stoke; Grand, Wolverhampton; Theatre Royal, Plymouth; Derngate, Northampton; Theatre Royal, Nottingham; Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff; Alhambra, Bradford; Festival Theatre, Edinburgh; Marlowe, Canterbury; Hippodrome, Birmingham; and Mayflower, Southampton.
NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE
David Hare’s SKYLIGHT with Bill Nighy, Carey Mulligan and Matthew Beard, directed by Stephen Daldry, will be broadcast from the West End to cinemas in the UK by National Theatre Live on 17 July (international screenings from 23 October).
Carrie Cracknell’s production of MEDEA, with Helen McCrory in the title role, will be broadcast live from the Olivier Theatre on 4 September.
Encore screenings of Danny Boyle’s NT production of FRANKENSTEIN, filmed during the play’s original run in the Olivier Theatre with Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternating the roles of Frankenstein and the Creature, will be shown in UK cinemas from 30 October. International dates vary.
JOHN, a co-production with DV8 Physical Theatre, conceived and directed by Lloyd Newson, will be broadcast live from the Lyttelton Theatre on 9 December.
Robert Louis Stevenson’s TREASURE ISLAND, in a new adaptation by Bryony Lavery directed by Polly Findlay, will be broadcast live from the National Theatre to cinemas on 22 January. Half-term encore screenings will take place on 18 February.
International dates for these screenings vary. For venue information and booking details, please visit www.ntlive.com
PRODUCTION AND CASTING UPDATES
GREAT BRITAIN
Richard Bean’s new play, an anarchic satire about the press, the police and the political establishment is now playing in the Lyttelton Theatre until 23 August, directed by Nicholas Hytner. The production is designed by Tim Hatley, with video design by 59 Productions, lighting by Neil Austin, music by Grant Olding and sound design by Paul Arditti. The full cast is: Sarah Annis, Ross Boatman, Robert Calvert, Oliver Chris, William Chubb, Dermot Crowley, Jo Dockery, Robert Glenister, Ian Hallard, James Harkness, Scott Karim, Barbara Kirby, Nicholas Lumley, Maggie McCarthy, Iain Mitchell, Miles Mitchell, Aaron Neil, Billie Piper, Nick Sampson, Kellie Shirley, Kiruna Stamell, Harriet Thorpe, Rupert Vansittart, Joseph Wilkins and Andrew Woodall.
MEDEA
Carrie Cracknell directs Euripides’ powerful tragedy MEDEA, in a new version by Ben Power, opening in the Olivier Theatre on 21 July as part of the Travelex £15 Tickets season. Helen McCrory returns to the National to take the title role; the full cast is: T’Jai Adu-Yeboah, Lorna Brown, Ricco Godfrey Brown, Vivien Carter, Michaela Coel, Simon Desborough, Amy Griffiths, Adrian Grove, Hazel Holder, Trevor Imani, Jane Leaney, Joel McDermott, Caroline Martin, Daisy Maywood, Helen McCrory, Jude Pearce, YuYu Rau, Dominic Rowan, Danny Sapani, Petra Söör, Clemmie Sveaas, Naomi Tadevossian, Martin Turner, Toby Wharton, Cath Whitefield, Kyron Wilson and Jane Wymark.
THE JAMES PLAYS
THE JAMES PLAYS, a trio of new history plays by Rona Munro, are a co-production between the National Theatre, the National Theatre of Scotland and the Edinburgh International Festival. Directed by Laurie Sansom, they will play in the Olivier Theatre from 10 September as part of the Travelex £15 Tickets season, following the world premiere in Edinburgh in August. The full ensemble cast is: Cameron Barnes, Daniel Cahill, Ali Craig, Blythe Duff, Nick Elliott, Peter Forbes, Andrew Fraser, Sofie Gråbøl (as the Danish-born Queen Margaret), Sarah Higgins, Stephanie Hyam, Gordon Kennedy, Alasdair Macrae, James McArdle (James I), David Mara, Beth Marshall, Rona Morison, Andrew Rothney (James II), Mark Rowley, Jamie Sives (James III) and Fiona Wood.
Press performances: Thursday 25 September at 12 midday, 4pm and 8.15pm.
Contact: Martin Shippen on 020 7452 3233 / [email protected]
PLATFORMS
An eclectic programme of talks, discussions and interviews, offering the chance to learn more about the National’s work and the arts in general.
6pm (45 mins), £4/£3 unless stated; BS = Platform followed by booksigning
Connections Writers Mon 7 July, Lyttelton
The writers of this year’s plays discuss their experience of the festival with Sebastian Born.
Bonnie Greer Tue 8 July, Temporary Theatre BS
The writer reveals her early influences and struggles for equality in her touching and thought-provoking memoir, A Parallel Life. Chaired by Helen Grant MP.
Francesca Martinez Fri 25 July, Temporary Theatre BS
The comedian talks to Clive Anderson about What the **** is Normal?!, a powerful and political call-to-arms which encourages us to be happy with who we are.
Kate Adie Thu 31 July, Lyttelton BS
In Fighting on the Home Front, the distinguished journalist explores the momentous legacy of women in WWI. Chaired by Rosie Goldsmith.
Neil Bartlett Fri 1 Aug, Temporary Theatre BS
The director and writer talks to Michael Coveney about his novel, The Disappearance Boy, set in the tarnished world of 1950s variety theatres.
Mark Haddon and Simon Stephens Tue 9 Sep, 5pm, Gielgud Theatre
The author and adapter of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time discuss its journey from page to stage.
Enda Walsh on Ballyturk Fri 19 Sep, Lyttelton
The writer and director talks about his new play.
John Lahr Mon 22 Sep, Lyttelton BS
As his definitive biography, Tennessee Williams: Mad Pilgrimage of the Flesh, is published, John Lahr talks to Nicholas Hytner.
Kika Markham Wed 24 Sep, Lyttelton BS
In Our Time of Day, Kika Markham reflects on her passionate and turbulent marriage to Corin Redgrave, and their shared love of acting, family and left-wing activist politics.
Rona Munro and Laurie Sansom on The James Plays Fri 26 Sep, Olivier
The playwright and director discuss the trilogy of plays about the kings of Scotland.
Remembering Joan Littlewood Tue 30 Sep, Lyttelton BS
To mark her centenary and a weekend of ‘Fun Palaces’, Stella Duffy, Murray Melvin and Peter Rankin celebrate the theatre maverick’s life and work.
Alan Bennett Thu 2 Oct, Lyttelton
On National Poetry Day, Alan Bennett presents his anthology of verse, Six Poets: Hardy to Larkin, accompanied by his own enlivening commentary. Live speech-to-text transcription by STAGETEXT
Bill Bryden and Nobby Clark Thu 9 Oct, Lyttelton BS
In their new book, Bryden the director offers a funny and illuminating portrait of great lives in the theatre, accompanied by Clark’s photographs.
Richard Eyre Tue 21 Oct, Olivier BS
The director talks about his new book, What Do I Know?, writings on people he has worked with, ideas he has struggled with, and things that have moved him.
A Warring Absence: Dylan and Caitlin Thomas Fri 24 Oct, Olivier
Daniel Evans and Sian Thomas read a selection of writing by the late poet and his wife to mark his centenary, compiled by Tim Schneider; accompanied by new music from The Kane Players. In association with Dylan Thomas in Fitzrovia.
The Female Voice Thu 20 Nov, Olivier
Jeannette Nelson, the National’s Head of Voice, is joined by actors and directors to examine how women’s voices are represented and received in theatre.
In association with University of London’s Being Human: A Festival of the Humanities
Rufus Norris and Meera Syal on Behind the Beautiful Forevers Fri 21 Nov,
Olivier
The director and actress discuss this new production.
Judi Dench Thu 4 Dec, Lyttelton
The internationally celebrated actress returns to the National to talk to Angus MacKechnie about her life and career.
An Evening with Private Eye Fri 12 Dec, 5.45pm (1hr), Lyttelton BS
Ian Hislop is joined by Craig Brown, Harry Enfield, Lewis Macleod, Jan Ravens and John Sessions for a satirical round-up of the year’s people and events.
Theatre Quiz Fri 19 Dec, 5.30pm, Olivier
Emma Freud hosts the annual battle for theatrical knowledge between two competing NT teams.
Lloyd Newson Thu 8 Jan, Lyttelton
The Director of DV8 talks to Nicholas Hytner about the company’s working methods, as his latest production, JOHN, plays at the National.
Polly Findlay and Bryony Lavery on Treasure Island Fri 16 Jan, 5.30pm, Olivier
The director and playwright discuss their new version of the adventure story.
Andrew Motion Fri 23 Jan, 5.30pm, Olivier BS
The former Poet Laureate looks at the work of RL Stevenson, whose Treasure Island inspired his own sequels, Silver and The New World.
Medea: Ancient and Modern
Carrie Cracknell and Ben Power Tue 12 Aug, Olivier
The director and playwright talk about their new version of Euripides’ tragedy.
Acts of Madness Tue 19 Aug, Olivier
Classicist Edith Hall and psychiatrist Femi Oyebode take a contemporary view of whether Medea’s behaviour is determined by ‘madness’.
Motives and Murder Thu 21 Aug, Olivier
Forensic psychiatrist Christopher Cordess and academic Julia Stroud look at the result of social environments on revenge killings and their psychological impact.
Helen McCrory Fri 22 Aug, 3pm (1hr), Olivier, £5/£4
The actress talks about the challenges and rewards of playing the title role.
Women in Ancient Greece Mon 1 Sep, Olivier
Historian Bettany Hughes and theatre scholar Oliver Taplin discuss the place of women in religion and their depiction as dangerous and tragic figures.
FREE EXHIBITIONS
Silent Exchange: the landscape photography of Charlie Waite
Lyttelton Exhibition Area from 23 June
An exhibition of award-winning photography by one of the world’s most celebrated landscape photographers, Charlie Waite. Bringing together his most important landscapes to date as well as new works, Silent Exchange showcases Waite’s personal response to beauty, in an exhibition of over 50 images which spans a lifetime at the forefront of landscape photography. Waite’s photographs aim to encourage an emotional response from the viewer based on the silent exchange between viewer and landscape.
ENDS
1 July 2014
Booking Information:
Public booking for Behind the Beautiful Forevers, Here Lies Love, JOHN,
3 Winters and Romeo and Juliet opens on Friday 18 July; booking for Great Britain, Treasure Island, The James Plays, Medea, Ballyturk and A Small Family Business is now open.
Book tickets online at nationaltheatre.org.uk
Box Office: 020 7452 3000, open 9.30am – 8pm Information: 020 7452 3400
THE NATIONAL’S SPONSORS
The National Theatre would appreciate an acknowledgement in the body of the text and/or as a separate footnote following editorial copy.
Travelex Tickets sponsored by
The National Theatre is a J.P.Morgan Signature Series partner
The Dorfman Partner is Neptune Investment Management
The National Theatre is working in partnership with American Express
NT Future is supported by Bank of America Merrill Lynch
The National Theatre’s airline partner is American Airlines
The National Theatre’s partner for contemporary clothing is Hugo Boss
National Theatre Learning is supported by Goldman Sachs
Entry Pass is supported by Vodafone
The National Theatre’s partner for Lighting and Energy is Philips
The official hotel partner of the National Theatre is Radisson Blu
The National Theatre’s photographic images partner is Corbis
The National Theatre’s Travelex £15 Tickets Media Partner is i
The National Theatre wishes to acknowledge its partner National Angels Limited
The National Theatre is supported using public funding by
Arts Council England.
THE NATIONAL’S REPERTOIRE as of 1 July 2014
PLAY
THEATRE
PRESS NIGHT
CONTACT
A SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS
Olivier
8 April
Mary Parker
HOTEL
Temporary Theatre
5 June
Susie Newbery
GREAT BRITAIN
Lyttelton
30 June
Lucinda Morrison
CONNECTIONS
Temporary Theatre & Olivier
2 – 7 July
Philippa Crossman
MEDEA
Olivier
21 July
Mary Parker
BALLYTURK
Lyttelton
16 September
Mary Parker
THE JAMES PLAYS
Edinburgh International Festival
Olivier
10 August
25 September
Jim Fletcher, National Theatre of Scotland
Martin Shippen
HERE LIES LOVE
Dorfman
13 October
Susie Newbery
ROMEO AND JULIET
Temporary Theatre
From 29 October
Philippa Crossman
JOHN
Lyttelton
4 November
Martin Shippen,
Clióna Roberts
BEHIND THE BEAUTIFUL FOREVERS
Olivier
18 November
Mary Parker
3 WINTERS
Lyttelton
3 December
Susie Newbery
TREASURE ISLAND
Olivier
10 December
Martin Shippen
ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS
UK tour
Nada Zakula
WAR HORSE
New London Theatre
UK tour
Janine Shalom, Premier
Nada Zakula
THE ELEPHANTOM
New London Theatre
5 July
Nada Zakula
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
Gielgud Theatre
UK tour
8 July
Janine Shalom & Esther Beaumont,
Premier
Nada Zakula
PLATFORMS & EXHIBITIONS
