NATIONAL THEATRE: JULY 2015 – JANUARY 2016
Shakespeare’s AS YOU LIKE IT is directed by Polly Findlay, with Rosalie Craig as
Rosalind
Anne-Marie Duff returns to the NT in D H Lawrence’s HUSBANDS & SONS, adapted by
Ben Power, directed by Marianne Elliott in a co-production with the Royal Exchange
Roger Michell directs WASTE by Harley Granville-Barker, with a cast led by Charles
Edwards
A new play by Wallace Shawn, EVENING AT THE TALK HOUSE, is directed by Ian
Rickson
HERE WE GO, a new play by Caryl Churchill, is directed by Dominic Cooke
wonder.land, a new musical by Damon Albarn and Moira Buffini, directed by Rufus
Norris, opens at the National after its premiere at Manchester International Festival
For young and family audiences: I WANT MY HAT BACK adapted from Jon Klassen’s
book by Joel Horwood and Arthur Darvill, and THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
Summer outdoor entertainment on the RIVER STAGE
The SPILL Festival of Performance presents Heather Cassils’ Inextinguishable Fire
NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE broadcasts Everyman, The Beaux’ Stratagem, Jane Eyre
and As You Like It from the NT, Hamlet from the Barbican and an encore of the
Donmar Warehouse’s Coriolanus
Platforms and Clore Learning Centre events, courses and talks
HUSBANDS & SONS
Dorfman Theatre
Previews from 19 October, press night 27 October, booking until 19 January with additional
performances to be announced
Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, 19 February – 19 March 2016
Anne-Marie Duff returns to the National to play Lizzie Holroyd in HUSBANDS & SONS by
DH Lawrence, adapted by Ben Power and directed by Marianne Elliott, opening in the
Dorfman Theatre on 19 October. A co-production with the Royal Exchange Theatre, it will
play in Manchester from 19 February – 19 March 2016. The cast also includes Joe
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Armstrong, Matthew Barker, John Biggins, Cassie Bradley, Louise Brealey, Susan Brown,
Julia Ford, Johnny Gibbon, Tala Gouveia, Lloyd Hutchinson, Philip McGinley, Martin
Marquez, Katherine Pearce, Josie Walker and Sue Wallace. The production will be designed
by Bunny Christie with lighting by Lucy Carter, video design by Tal Rosner, movement by
Scott Graham, music by Adrian Sutton, sound by Ian Dickinson and fight direction by Kate
Waters.
On the cracked border of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire stands the village of Eastwood.
The women of the village, wives and mothers, struggle to hold their families and their own
souls together in the shadow of the great Brinsley pit.
HUSBANDS & SONS interweaves three of D H Lawrence’s greatest dramas (The Daughterin-Law, A Collier’s Friday Night and The Widowing of Mrs Holroyd), and plays them
simultaneously. Describing the world he came from with fierce tenderness, Lawrence
evokes a now-vanished world of manual labour and working class pride.
Ben Power is Deputy Artistic Director of the National, where his adaptations have included
Euripides' Medea and Ibsen’s Emperor and Galilean. He has worked as dramaturg on over
twenty productions here. For Headlong Theatre, his adaptations included Six Characters in
Search of an Author and Faustus with Rupert Goold and Paradise Lost. His screenplays
include the forthcoming The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses for the BBC. For the first
series of The Hollow Crown, Ben Power adapted Henry V, and Richard II which won the
RTS Award for Best Drama and was nominated for a BAFTA.
Anne-Marie Duff’s National Theatre work includes Strange Interlude and Saint Joan (for
which she won Best Actress at the Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards
2008 and was nominated for an Olivier); other recent theatre work has included Cause
Célèbre (Old Vic) and the title role in Berenice (Donmar Warehouse). Her many television
appearances include the title role in Elizabeth the Virgin Queen and Shameless. Anne-Marie
Duff will appear in the feature film Suffragettes written by Abi Morgan and due to be released
in October.
Marianne Elliott is an Associate Director at the NT where her work includes The Curious
Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (winner of seven Olivier Awards including Best Director
and five Tony Awards including Best Director), Rules for Living, The Light Princess,
Port, Season's Greetings, Women Beware Women, All's Well That Ends Well, Mrs Affleck,
Harper Regan, Saint Joan with Anne-Marie Duff (Olivier Award for Best Revival, South Bank
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Show Award for Theatre), Thérèse Raquin, Pillars of the Community (Evening Standard
Award for Best Director) and War Horse (co-directed with Tom Morris, winning a Tony Award
for Best Direction of a Play).
The Dorfman Partner is Neptune Investment Management.
Press night: Tuesday 27 October
Contact: Martin Shippen on 020 7452 3233 / mshippen@nationaltheatre.org.uk
AS YOU LIKE IT
Olivier Theatre
Previews from 26 October, press night 3 November, in repertoire until 5 March
National Theatre Live broadcast on 25 February 2016
Polly Findlay directs Shakespeare’s comedy of love and change, AS YOU LIKE IT, opening
on 3 November in the Olivier Theatre in its first production at the National for over 30 years.
Rosalie Craig plays Rosalind; the cast also includes Leon Annor, Philip Arditti, Mark Benton
(as Touchstone), Paul Chahidi (as Jaques), Jonathan Dryden Taylor, Patsy Ferran (as
Celia), Patrick Godfrey, Gemma Lawrence, Ken Nwosu, Ekow Quartey and Alan Williams.
The production will have set designs by Lizzie Clachan, costumes by Christina Cunningham,
lighting by Jon Clark, music by Orlando Gough, movement by Jonathan Goddard, sound by
Carolyn Downing and fight direction by Kate Waters.
With her father the Duke banished and in exile, Rosalind and her cousin Celia leave their
lives in the court behind them and journey into the Forest of Arden.
There released from convention, Rosalind experiences the liberating rush of transformation.
Disguising herself as a boy, she embraces a different way of living and falls spectacularly in
love.
Rosalie Craig’s work for the National includes The Light Princess (for which she won the
2013 Evening Standard Award for Best Musical Performance and was nominated for an
Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical), Table, London Road on stage and screen, and
wonder.land at Manchester International Festival. Her other work includes the title role in
Miss Julie and Clea in Black Comedy (Chichester Festival Theatre); Lady Macduff in
Macbeth (Manchester International Festival); Sweeney Todd (ENO); The Vote and City of
Angels (both Donmar Warehouse); Ragtime (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre); Company
(Crucible, Sheffield); and Swallows and Amazons (Bristol Old Vic).
Polly Findlay’s productions for the NT include Treasure Island, Protest Song, Antigone, The
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Swan and Nightwatchman, and the German-language production of War Horse in Berlin. Her
other work includes The Merchant of Venice and Arden of Faversham for the RSC.
As You Like It is supported by Radisson Blu Edwardian, the National’s official hotel partner.
Press night: Tuesday 3 November
Contact: Mary Parker on 020 7452 3234 or mparker@nationaltheatre.org.uk
WASTE
Lyttelton Theatre
Previews from 3 November, press night 10 November, booking until 16 January with additional
performances to be announced
Roger Michell directs Harley Granville Barker’s WASTE, opening in the Lyttelton Theatre on
10 November; with designs by Hildegard Bechtler, lighting by Rick Fisher and sound by John
Leonard. Charles Edwards leads the cast, which also includes William Chubb.
Backstage at a hung parliament, visionary Independent Henry Trebell is co-opted by the
Tories to push through a controversial Bill. Pursuing his cause with missionary zeal, he’s
barely distracted by his brief affair with a married woman until she suffers a lethal backstreet
abortion. Threatened by public scandal, the Establishment closes ranks and coolly seals the
fate of an idealistic man.
Famously banned by the censors in 1907, Harley Granville Barker’s controversial
masterpiece gathers a large ensemble to expose a cut-throat, cynical world of sex, sleaze
and suicide amongst the political elite of Edwardian England.
Charles Edwards’ work for the National includes Strange Interlude, This House, Twelfth
Night, The Duchess of Malfi and All My Sons. He was nominated for the 2012 Olivier Best
Actor Award for his role as Jack Weatherill in This House jointly with his role as Bertie in The
King’s Speech in the West End. Other recent theatre includes Richard II and Much Ado
About Nothing (Shakespeare’s Globe), Blithe Spirit (West End) and The 39 Steps (West End
and Broadway). His television work includes Downton Abbey.
Roger Michell’s previous NT work includes Blue/Orange, Honour, Landscape with Weapon
and The Homecoming. Other theatre includes Birthday, Tribes and My Night With Reg
(Royal Court), Rope (Almeida), Farewell to the Theatre (Hampstead) and Betrayal (Donmar
Warehouse). His many films include Notting Hill, Changing Lanes, Enduring Love, The
Mother, Venus, Hyde Park on Hudson and Le Week-End; television includes Lost Honour.
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Press night: Tuesday 10 November
Contact: Susie Newbery on 020 7452 3061 / snewbery@nationaltheatre.org.uk
I WANT MY HAT BACK
Temporary Theatre
Previews from 12 November, press performance 16 November at 1.30pm, playing in repertoire
until 2 January. Suitable for ages 3+
I WANT MY HAT BACK by Jon Klassen, with book and lyrics by Joel Horwood and music by
Arthur Darvill, plays in the Temporary Theatre from 12 November until 2 January. It will be
directed by Wils Wilson and designed by Fly Davis, with lighting by Beky Stoddart and sound
by Joel Price.
Jon Klassen’s brilliant, witty book was published in 2011, and has fast become a modern
children’s classic. I Want My Hat Back now comes to the stage in a joyous new adaptation
stuffed with humour, music and surprises.
Bear’s hat is gone. He loves his hat. He wants it back. He asks all of the animals in the
forest, but no one has seen it. WAIT! He has seen it somewhere...
Press performance: Monday 16 November at 1.30pm
Contact: Martin Shippen on 020 7452 3233 / mshippen@nationaltheatre.org.uk
EVENING AT THE TALK HOUSE
Dorfman Theatre
Previews from 17 November, press night 24 November, booking until 23 January with
additional performances to be announced.
A new play by Wallace Shawn, EVENING AT THE TALK HOUSE receives its world
premiere at the Dorfman Theatre on 24 November. Directed by Ian Rickson, the cast
includes Sinead Matthews. It will have set designs by The Quay Brothers, costumes by
Soutra Gilmour, lighting by Neil Austin, music by Stephen Warbeck and sound by Ian
Dickinson.
A reunion at the almost legendary club, The Talk House. Still presided over by the kindly
Nellie, there’s the same genteel atmosphere, the familiar drinks and the special snacks.
The playwright, the composer, the actress. The former television star brutally beaten up.
The possibility of a pleasant night.
Wallace Shawn’s last play to premiere at the National was The Designated Mourner in 1996.
His other stage plays include The Fever and Aunt Dan and Lemon; among his screenplays
are My Dinner with André and Vanya on 42nd Street, in both of which he also appeared. His
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many other acting credits include Manhattan, The Princess Bride, Clueless, The Good Wife
and the voice of Rex in the three Toy Story films.
Ian Rickson has previously directed The Red Lion, The Hothouse and The Day I Stood Still
for the National. He was Artistic Director of the Royal Court from 1998 – 2006; recent
productions include Electra and The Cherry Orchard (Old Vic), The River (Royal Court and
Broadway), Old Times, Mojo (West End), Hamlet (Young Vic) and Jerusalem (Royal Court,
West End & Broadway).
Press night: Tuesday 24 November
Contact: Mary Parker on 020 7452 3234 / mparker@nationaltheatre.org.uk
HERE WE GO
Lyttelton Theatre
Previews 25 & 26 November, press night 27 November, playing until 19 December
HERE WE GO, a new, short play about death by Caryl Churchill, will be directed by Dominic
Cooke and designed by Vicki Mortimer, with sound by Christopher Shutt.
A funeral party for a man with an adventurous past and a ginger cat that needs a home.
Where is he now? Is his heart lighter than a feather? How did he die? And what happens to
his friends?
Caryl Churchill’s seminal plays include Light Shining in Buckinghamshire (recently revived at
the NT), Cloud Nine, Top Girls, Serious Money, The Skriker, A Number and Love and
Information. Her new version of Strindberg’s A Dream Play was seen at the National in 2005.
Dominic Cooke is an Associate Director of the NT; his production of Ma Rainey’s Black
Bottom will open in the Lyttelton next January. He was Artistic Director of the Royal Court
from 2007 – 2013, where his productions included Caryl Churchill’s Identical Twins, This is a
Chair, Seven Jewish Children and Ding Dong the Wicked; and The Low Road, In the
Republic of Happiness, Choir Boy, Chicken Soup with Barley, Clybourne Park, Aunt Dan and
Lemon,The Fever, Wig Out!, Now or Later, The Pain and The Itch and Other People. He
directed The Comedy of Errors for the National Theatre in 2011; for the BBC, he has
directed the forthcoming The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses.
Press night: Friday 27 November
Contact: Mary Parker on 020 7452 3234 / mparker@nationaltheatre.org.uk
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wonder.land
Olivier Theatre
Previews from 23 November, press night 2 December, booking until 28 February with
additional performances to be announced.
wonder.land, a new musical inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, with music by
Damon Albarn and book and lyrics by Moira Buffini, is directed by Rufus Norris in a coproduction with Manchester International Festival; opening in the Olivier Theatre on 2
December. In June 2016, wonder.land will visit the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The
production has set designs by Rae Smith, with projections by 59 Productions, costumes by
Katrina Lindsay, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Paul Arditti and choreography by
Javier De Frutos; the music supervisor is David Shrubsole and associate director, James
Bonas.
Welcome to wonder.land, where you can be exactly who you want to be. Aly, 12, loves this
extraordinary virtual world. Bullied at school and unhappy at home, wonder.land offers an
escape.
Online, Aly becomes Alice: brave, beautiful and in control. But some of the people she meets
– the weird Dum and Dee, the creepy Cheshire Cat, the terrifying Red Queen – seem
strangely familiar. And as hard as Aly tries to keep them apart, real life and wonder.land
begin to collide in ever more curious and dangerous ways.
Damon Albarn is a Grammy and Brit Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer and
composer. His first full-length opera composition, Monkey: Journey to the West, created in
collaboration with Jamie Hewlett and Chen Shi Zheng, premiered at Manchester
International Festival in 2007. His second opera Dr Dee, co-created with Rufus Norris,
premiered at MIF in 2011. Albarn has written music for film soundtracks to 101 Reykjavik,
Ravenous and Broken. Releases outside of Blur and Gorillaz also include: Mali Music, The
Good The Bad and The Queen, Rocket Juice & The Moon, Africa Express Presents: Maison
Des Jeunes and his Mercury-nominated debut solo album Everyday Robots. Blur released
their new album, The Magic Whip, earlier this year.
Moira Buffini’s plays include Welcome to Thebes and Dinner for the National Theatre and A
Vampire Story for NT Connections; Handbagged for the Tricycle Theatre/Vaudeville (Olivier
Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre); Dying For It (adapted from
Nikolai Erdman’s The Suicide) and Marianne Dreams (adapted from Catherine Storr’s book)
for the Almeida Theatre; Loveplay for the RSC; and Silence for Birmingham Rep (Susan
Smith Blackburn Prize). Her screenplays include Tamara Drewe, Jane Eyre and Byzantium.
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She recently directed her first short film, Father.
Rufus Norris became Director of the National Theatre in April; his NT productions are
Everyman, Behind the Beautiful Forevers, The Amen Corner, Table, London Road, Death
and the King's Horseman and Market Boy. His other 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 in 2011 and ENO in 2012. Screen work includes
Broken, which won the British Independent Film Award for Best Film, and the film of London
Road which was released last month.
wonder.land is commissioned by Manchester International Festival, the National Theatre and
the Théâtre du Châtelet.
The Official Make-Up Partner of wonder.land is M.A.C Cosmetics
The production is generously supported by Areté Foundation / Ed & Betsy Cohen, Beth & Gary Glynn
and Leila Maw Straus.
Press night: Wednesday 2 December
Contact: Susie Newbery on 020 7452 3061 / snewbery@nationaltheatre.org.uk.
THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
Temporary Theatre
21 October – 6 November; suitable for children aged 8 – 12
Bijan Sheibani directs Shakespeare’s THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, in a new version by Ben
Power for young audiences aged 8 – 12, with daytime performances in the Temporary
Theatre from 21 October – 6 November.
A fast-paced and energetic re-telling of Shakespeare’s hilarious and moving farce.
In a city celebrating carnival, two sets of identical twins seek each other amidst a riot of
music and colour. Separated for many years, the brothers face comedic confusion, arrests,
and multiple mistaken identities before a final joyful reunion.
Family workshops will be available during half term; see nationaltheatre.org.uk/families.
Ben Power and Bijan Sheibani previously collaborated on a highly successful version of
Romeo and Juliet for young audiences at the Temporary Theatre. Ben Power’s work for the
for the NT also includes an adaptation of Ross Collins’ The Elephantom.
Bijan Sheibani has previously directed A Taste of Honey, Emil and the Detectives, The Kitchen
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and Our Class for the National.
Supported by The Ingram Trust, Archie Sherman Charitable Trust, Behrens Foundation, Goldsmiths’
Company Charity, Jill and David Leuw.
Contact: Mary Parker on 020 7452 3234 / mparker@nationaltheatre.org.uk
SPILL Festival of Performance: Inextinguishable Fire
Dorfman Theatre
Sunday 8 November at 5pm, suitable for ages 16+
A world premiere by internationally renowned artist Heather Cassils, marking the end of
SPILL 2015, the international festival of live art, experimental theatre and activism. It forms
part of a weekend of work taking place at the NT and the NT Studio and is a SPILL
commission, presented by Pacitti Company in partnership with the National Theatre.
Engaging with the impossibility of representing trauma and violence, and borrowing
techniques from Hollywood stunt performance, Cassils is lit on fire in a treacherous ‘full body
burn’. This unique event is suitable for ages 16+. spillfestival.com
Contact: Martin Shippen on 020 7452 3233 / mshippen@nationaltheatre.org.uk or
Lauren Davis at lauren@pacitticompany.com
RIVER STAGE
Riverside Square
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 24 July – 30 August
This summer the National Theatre presents an eclectic season of free outdoor entertainment
on the River Stage, in front of the National on the newly created Riverside Square.
Events on the River Stage will take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 24 July –
30 August. On Friday afternoons there will be street theatre followed by guest DJs; on
Saturdays there will be live music in the afternoon and late evening; and Sundays are all
about family fun, with dazzling circus, vibrant dance and intriguing installations.
Full details of the River Stage programme will be announced shortly and at
www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/riverstage
Contact: Susie Newbery on 020 7452 3061 / snewbery@nationaltheatre.org.uk
CASTING UPDATES
The full cast for Patrick Marber’s production of his own new version of Three Days in the
Country, after Turgenev, opening in the Lyttelton on 28 July, is: Nigel Betts, Nicholas
Bishop, Tom Burgering, Paige Carter, Amanda Drew, Mark Extance, Lynn Farleigh, Mark
Gatiss, Debra Gillett, Gawn Grainger, Joshua Gringras, John Light, Matthew Lloyd Davies,
Mateo Oxley, Debra Penny, Royce Pierreson, Cassie Raine, Lily Sacofsky, John Simm,
Cherrelle Skeete, Joel Thomas and Lisa Tramontin.
Our Country’s Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker, opens in the Olivier Theatre on 26
August, directed by Nadia Fall. The cast will include: Jonathan Coote, Matthew Cottle,
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Jonathan Dryden Taylor, Caoilfhionn Dunne, Peter Forbes, Jason Hughes (as Ralph Clark),
Ellie James, Shalisha James-Davis, Paul Kaye, Ashley McGuire, Graeme McKnight, Jodie
McNee, David Mara, Tadhg Murphy, Cyril Nri, Debra Penny and Lee Ross.
People, Places and Things, Duncan Macmillan’s new play, opens in the Dorfman Theatre
on 1 September. It will be directed by Jeremy Herrin and is a co-production with Headlong.
The cast will include Denise Gough in the central role, with Jacob James Beswick, Alastair
Cope, Jacqui Dubois, Barbara Marten, Nathaniel Martello-White and Kevin McMonagle.
Jane Eyre, a co-production with Bristol Old Vic, directed by Sally Cookson, devised by the
company and based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë, will have a cast including Benji
Bower, Will Bower, Elly Condron, Craig Edwards, Laura Elphinstone, Felix Hayes, Richard
Hurst, Phil King, Melanie Marshall, Simone Saunders, Maggie Tagney, Stevie Thompson,
Joannah Tincey and Madeleine Worrall. Jane Eyre opens in the Lyttelton on 17 September,
will be broadcast by NT Live on Tuesday 8 December and will return to Bristol Old Vic in
January 2016 followed by a UK Tour.
BEYOND THE SOUTH BANK
NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE
Chiwetel Ejiofor plays the title role in EVERYMAN, adapted by Carol Ann Duffy and directed
by Rufus Norris; it will be broadcast from the Olivier Theatre on 16 July.
Farquhar’s late Restoration comedy THE BEAUX’ STRATAGEM, directed by Simon
Godwin, will be broadcast live to the UK and Europe on 3 September (and to the rest of the
world on 24 September).
The Donmar Warehouse production of Shakespeare’s CORIOLANUS, with Tom Hiddleston
in the title role, will have an encore screening in the UK on 24 September (and in the rest of
the world from 12 November).
Benedict Cumberbatch plays the title role in HAMLET, produced by Sonia Friedman
Productions and broadcast live from the Barbican on 15 October (varying dates
internationally).
JANE EYRE, a co-production with Bristol Old Vic, directed by Sally Cookson, devised by the
company and based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë, will be broadcast from the Lyttelton
Theatre on 8 December.
Polly Findlay’s production of AS YOU LIKE IT, with Rosalie Craig as Rosalind, will be
broadcast live from the Olivier Theatre on 25 February (varying dates internationally).
For venue information and booking details, please visit ntlive.com
Contact: Mary Parker on mparker@nationaltheatre.org.uk or Martin Shippen on
mshippen@nationaltheatre.org.uk
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME is now on a 31-city tour of
the UK and Ireland until November 2015, with forthcoming visits to Truro, Oxford, Liverpool,
Bristol, Sunderland, Glasgow, Leeds, Aberdeen, Norwich, Sheffield, Dublin, Belfast, Bath,
Milton Keynes and a return visit to Salford. Curious Incident also continues its runs at the
Gielgud Theatre in the West End and at the Barrymore Theatre in New York. Its official card
partner is American Express.
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WAR HORSE at the New London Theatre is now booking until February 2016. A Chineselanguage production will open in September in Beijing and in November in Shanghai, as part
of the NT’s new partnership with the National Theatre of China.
Lyttelton Lounge
The latest project of the NT Future development, the Lyttelton Lounge, is now open: a
place to explore the NT’s past and present, where visitors can browse exclusive digital
content from the NT Archive, including interviews, prompt scripts and early recordings; and
see related exhibitions of props, costumes and other objects from past and present
productions. The current exhibition is on five plays by Tom Stoppard. Situated on the
Lyttelton Circle level, the Lounge is free and open all day.
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 book signing
Connections Writers
Mon 6 July, 6pm, Lyttelton
The writers of this year’s Connections plays talk about their experiences of the festival.
We Want You To Talk
Wed 8 July, post-show (1hr), Temporary Theatre
A lively discussion about the modern-day impact of pornography on people’s physical and
emotional relationships. Guests include Jerry Barnett, industry lobbyist and founder of Sex
and Censorship; Pandora Blake, feminist porn performer; and Heather Brunskill-Evans,
social theorist and founder member of Resist Porn Culture. Chaired by Helena Kennedy QC.
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Wed 22 July, 3pm (1hr), Olivier, £5/£4
The actor reflects on the challenges and rewards of playing the title role in Everyman.
Patrick Marber on Three Days in the Country
Thu 30 July, 6pm, Lyttelton
The director talks about his new version of Turgenev’s play.
Philippa Gregory
Thu 13 August, 6pm, Lyttelton BS
Philippa Gregory discusses her new novel The Taming of the Queen; the story of Kateryn
Parr, Henry VIII’s final wife, and the play from her time in court as Regent that may have
inspired Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.
Turgenev’s Countryside
Mon 17 August, 6pm, Lyttelton
Academics Stephen Lovell and Cynthia Marsh explore the influence of the Russian
countryside and landscape on the playwright’s work.
Michael Billington
Fri 4 September, 6.30pm, Dorfman BS
The theatre critic discusses The 101 Greatest Plays, a personal selection from Ancient
Greece to the present-day, and asks if greatness changes with time and circumstance.
Chaired by Benedict Nightingale.
Meera Syal
Thu 10 September, 6pm, Dorfman BS
In The House of Hidden Mothers, her new novel about female friendship, motherhood and
love, the actor – last seen at the National in Behind the Beautiful Forevers – addresses
topical themes of late parenthood and surrogacy.
Lasdun’s Legacy
Fri 11 September, 5.45pm (1hr), Olivier BS
Alongside the exhibition, Concrete Reality, and a new book about the building, historian
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Barnabas Calder, architect Paddy Dillon and Catherine Croft, Director of The Twentieth
Century Society, reflect on Denys Lasdun’s work on the National Theatre, while actors read
extracts from the NT Building Committee minutes in the 1960s.
Frost: That Was The Life That Was
Mon 14 September, 6.30pm, Dorfman BS
David Frost was the only person to have interviewed every British Prime Minister since
Harold Wilson as well as US Presidents, actors, royalty, musicians and sporting heroes from
the last 50 years. Set amid turbulent world events, these encounters became moments of
history themselves. His biographer Neil Hegarty, and his sons Miles, Wilfred and George
Frost, celebrate the life of a man who didn't just report the news, he made the news. Chaired
by Joan Bakewell.
Jeremy Herrin and Duncan Macmillan on People, Places and Things
Fri 18 September, 6pm, Dorfman
The director and playwright discuss this new play.
On Pomona
Thu 24 September, post-show, Temporary Theatre, free
Director Ned Bennett and playwright Alistair McDowall talk to Dan Rebellato about the
production.
Bound for Australia
Wed 30 September, 6pm, Olivier
Legal and social science historians, Michael Lobban and Deborah Oxley, discuss the
convicts on the First Fleet in 1787, as depicted in Our Country’s Good, and the impact of
penal transportation.
Sally Cookson on Jane Eyre
Mon 5 October, 5.30pm, Lyttelton
Director Sally Cookson talks about her adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s novel.
Nadia Fall and Timberlake Wertenbaker on Our Country’s Good
Tue 6 October, 6pm, Olivier
The director and playwright discuss the new production.
Andrew Marr
Fri 9 October, 6pm, Lyttelton BS
The broadcaster is joined by actors for a selection of readings from his new book, We
British, illustrating how poetry of the past reflects the issues of today.
David Hare
Mon 12 October, 6pm, Lyttelton BS
David Hare discusses his memoir The Blue Touch Paper, which interweaves the history of
the period from 1947 to Margaret Thatcher’s election, with the story of how he first became a
writer for film and theatre.
Geraldine McEwan Remembered
Fri 30 October, 6pm, Dorfman
Friends and colleagues Rosalind Knight, Michael Ratcliffe and Alan Rickman join Richard
Digby Day to celebrate the life and career of the much-loved actress, whose work ranged
from Feydeau, Webster and Brecht to award-winning performances in The Rivals and The
Way of the World at the National, as well as Miss Marple, Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit
and The Barchester Chronicles on TV.
As You Like It on Screen
Wed 4 November, 6pm, Temporary BS
Daniel Rosenthal, author of 100 Shakespeare Films, looks at the enduring appeal of
Shakespeare's pastoral comedy, using clips from film and TV adaptations of the play.
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Charlotte and Jane
Fri 13 November, 5.30pm, Lyttelton BS
Charlotte Bronte was a literary visionary, a feminist trailblazer and the driving force in her
family, and in Jane Eyre she created a new kind of independent heroine. Her biographer
Claire Harman and guests explore these very modern Victorian women.
Ian Rickson and Wallace Shawn on Evening at the Talk House
Wed 25 November, 6.30pm, Dorfman
The director and writer discuss the play.
Dominic Cooke on Here We Go
Mon 30 November, 5.30pm, Lyttelton
Director Dominic Cooke talks about Caryl Churchill’s new play.
Marianne Elliott and Ben Power on Husbands and Sons
Thu 3 December, 5.30pm, Dorfman
Ben Power discusses his adaptation of DH Lawrence’s trilogy with the director Marianne
Elliott.
The Jocelyn Herbert Lecture: Sian Thomas – Lions and Nightingales
Fri 11 December, 6.30pm, Dorfman
While working on Tony Harrison's play The Kaisers of Carnuntum, designed by Jocelyn
Herbert for a Roman amphitheatre outside Vienna, actor Sian Thomas had unique access to
the extraordinary creative process and special relationship between this poet/director and
designer. She talks about that experience, and her friendship with Herbert.
An Evening with Private Eye
Mon 14 December, 5.45pm (1hr), Lyttelton BS
The annual treat for fans of the satirical magazine, as Editor Ian Hislop looks back on the
past year with regular guests including Craig Brown, Harry Enfield, Jan Ravens and John
Sessions.
The Theatre Quiz
Tue 22 December, 5.30pm, Lyttelton
A reinvented quiz, with new rounds and unexpected challenges, but the competition is a
fierce as ever – so come and support your favourite team! With regular Quiz-mistress Emma
Freud.
Roger Michell on Waste
Mon 4 January, 6pm, Lyttelton
Roger Michell discusses his new production of Granville Barker’s play.
Moira Buffini and Rufus Norris on wonder.land Tue 5 January, 6pm, Olivier
The playwright and director talk about the new musical version of Lewis Carroll’s book.
Polly Findlay on As You Like It
Fri 8 January, 6pm, Olivier
The director discusses her production of Shakespeare’s play.
Harley Granville Barker’s Agnes Colander
Thu 14 January, 2.30pm (90mins),
Lyttelton £5/£4
A rehearsed reading of an unpublished and unperformed three-act play, written between The
Marrying of Ann Leete and The Voysey Inheritance, recently re-discovered by Colin
Chambers; directed by Laurence Boswell, with members of the NT Company.
(With permission of The Society of Authors as the Literary Representative of the Estate of Harley
Granville Barker)
Visions of Alice
Fri 29 January, 6pm, Olivier BS
In its 150th anniversary year, the story of Alice and her adventures remains relevant and also
of its time. Illustrators and authors reflect on the many visual interpretations of the characters
through the years. Guests include Gillian Beer, author of the new book Alice in Space, and
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Grahame Baker-Smith, illustrator of the Royal Mail’s anniversary Alice in Wonderland
stamps.
AfterWords
Informal and lively post-show discussions bringing together people from the
production with people from the real world of the play.
Clore Learning Centre /Cottesloe Room; £4/£3 includes wine and soft drinks
The Red Lion
Fri 10 July
People, Places and Things
Fri 9 October
Evening at the Talk House
Fri 27 November
Contact: Malika Isles on 020 7452 3236; misles@nationaltheatre.org.uk
LEARNING
Nationaltheatre.org.uk/learn
The Clore Learning Centre is 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, often direct
from the artists and staff of the National Theatre. There are new courses and events for
adults; regular workshops 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.
For Adults:
An eclectic programme for everyone from the first-timer to the expert. Develop a deeper
understanding of the NT repertoire, or try your hand at a practical aspect of theatre-making.
nationaltheatre.org.uk/adultlearning
Everyman – Creating Music for Theatre
Thur 16 July, 5.30 – 6.30pm
With William Lyons, composer and medieval music specialist.
Jane Eyre on Stage and Screen
Fri 11 September, 4 – 5.30pm
Dr Hila Shachar (De Montfort University) on the many adaptations of this classic novel.
Russian Theatre at the National Theatre
14, 15, 21, 22 Sept, 6.30 – 9pm
An in-depth look at the NT’s rich history of staging Russian drama.
Workshop: Using Your Voice
Tue 6 October, 10am – 4pm
Discover how to make the most of your voice with the NT Head of Voice, Jeannette Nelson.
In Context: Our Country’s Good
Fri 9 October, 2 – 4.30pm
Explores the genesis of the production, the themes and historical background. Speakers will
include the play’s original director, Max Stafford-Clark (Out of Joint).
Workshop: Devising with Sally Cookson
Mon 12 Oct, 10am – 4pm
Work with director Sally Cookson and dramaturg Mike Akers on devising for the stage
In Depth: The Theatre of D H Lawrence
Thu 5 November, 10.30am – 4.30pm
An exploration of D H Lawrence’s plays with readings, talks and panel discussions.
In Context: As You Like It
Mon 8 Feb, 2 – 5pm
An in-depth introduction to As You Like It led by Dr. Abigail Rokison (Shakespeare Institute,
University of Birmingham) with members of the company.
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In Context: Censorship in British Theatre
Fri 20 November, 2 – 5pm
Until 1968 the Lord Chamberlain’s Office censored all new plays and those considered
unsuitable were refused a licence. A look at some well-loved plays initially thought too
offensive by the censors.
In Context: The Virtual World on Stage
Fri 15 Jan, 2 – 4.30pm
An exploration of the innovative ways playwrights, directors and designers have depicted a
virtual realm on stage.
Summer School: Theatre-Making with Puppetry 10 – 13 August, 10.30am – 4.30pm
Develop puppetry skills in this hands-on and intensive course led by Finn Caldwell and Toby
Olié, co-directors of The Elephantom and puppetry directors for War Horse and The Light
Princess. Materials included.
Introduction to Playwriting
7 Sept – 9 Nov, 2 – 5pm
Learn to apply the basic elements of writing for the stage in this ten-week course, led by
Evan Placey. Explore the key principles of dramatic writing including character, structure,
story and dialogue. Using active writing exercises – on your feet, on the page and in your
head – you will sharpen your tools for creating theatre. Applications close Monday 27 July,
12noon.
Developing your play
30 Sept – 9 Dec, 10am – 1pm
A practical course for writers with some previous experience on developing the craft of
playwriting, led by Jemma Kennedy. Applications close Monday 17 August, 12noon.
Our Country’s Good : The Transforming Power of Art 14 October, 10am – 4pm
In collaboration with the National Alliance for Arts in Criminal Justice.
Inspired by the NT production of Our Country’s Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker, this event
explores and celebrates the power of the arts in prisons. A day of keynote speakers, debate
and sharing of practice and performance, for arts professionals, academics and practitioners
who work in criminal justice settings as well as those with an interest in this work.
For Families:
Family workshops will run on the first Saturday of each month and on Fridays and
Saturdays during the summer holidays. They are designed for children aged 6–12 and adults
to enjoy together. Discover the skills and secrets behind productions at the National
Theatre; have a go at designing a costume or making a prop; or meet some of the team who
work behind the scenes to bring NT productions to life.
Friday 7 August
Stage Fighting
11am – 12.30pm
Design and Make
11am – 1pm
Creating Creatures
2.30 – 4.30pm
Saturday 8 August
Design and Make
11am – 1pm
Creating Creatures
2.30 – 4.30pm
Friday 14 August
Make a Play in a Day
9.45am – 4pm
Saturday 15 August
Making Costume
11am – 1pm and 2.30 – 4.30pm
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Friday 21 August
Make a Play in a Day
Saturday 22 August
Paper Puppetry
Friday 28 August
War Horse Puppetry
Making Models
Saturday 29 August
Creating Comedy
Making Costume
9.45am – 4pm
11am – 12.30pm and 2.30 – 4pm
11am – 12.30pm and 2.30 – 4pm
11am – 1pm and 2.30 – 4.30pm
11am – 12.30pm and 2.30 – 4pm
11am – 1pm and 2.30 – 4.30pm
Ground Control
22, 23, 30 and 31 August
Non Zero One present Ground Control, a unique interactive performance for 7 – 12 year
olds. Further details on the website.
For Young People (16-21-year-olds):
An exciting mix of Q&As, short courses, skills workshops, talks and events.
Stage Combat Course
3 – 5 August, 10 – 4pm
How do you choreograph and perform a convincing fight without getting a bloody nose or a
black eye?
Creative Development Week
24 – 30 August
A chance for creative young people to experiment with how to make performance, with Nigel
Barrett and Louise Mari from Shunt. Applications close Monday 27 July 10am.
Q&A: How to... start to writing a play
7 September, 6 – 7pm
How do you make a start? Where do you find ideas and inspiration? Put your questions to
writer Evan Placey.
Q&A:The Red Lion Talkback with Patrick Marber
15 September, 6 – 7pm
Love the beautiful game and pretty keen on theatre too? Put your questions about football,
theatre and more to writer Patrick Marber.
Q&A: How to... be a Stage Manager
28 September, 5 – 6pm
If you are a natural leader, good with people and super-organised, then maybe Stage
Management is your dream job. Find out more.
Introduction to Playwriting Course
26 – 28 October, 10 – 5pm
Want to learn how to create characters, story, dialogue and develop your own ideas? This
three-day course, led by Evan Placey, will equip you with the tools to start writing for stage.
Special Effects Make-up Course
5, 12, 19 & 26 November, 5 – 8pm
Learn the basics of creating make-up effects like cuts, bruises and burns using every-day
items.
Stage Management Course
27 Oct, 3, 10 & 17 November, 5 – 8pm
Work with professional stage managers and find out about the huge variety of jobs done by
a Stage Management team.
For Secondary Schools and Colleges:
National Theatre: On Demand in Schools will launch this autumn, with three acclaimed,
NT productions made available free in every secondary school classroom in the UK. Danny
Boyle’s production of Frankenstein by Nick Dear, based on the novel by Mary Shelley, with
Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternating the roles of Frankenstein and the
Creature; and Nicholas Hytner’s productions of Shakespeare’s Hamlet with Rory Kinnear,
and Othello with Adrian Lester and Rory Kinnear, will be free to stream on demand in the
classroom for three years from September 2015. Comprehensive learning resources will
support each play, and the recordings will be chaptered so teachers can find key scenes or
show the full production over a number of lessons. The project is delivered in partnership
with Frog Education Ltd, and supported by Stavros Niarchos Foundation and the Sidney E.
Frank Foundation.
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Our Country’s Good Sixth Form Conference
Tues 29 September, Olivier Theatre
A series of on-stage talks and masterclasses with members of the company, the creative
team and academic speakers.
Creative Choices
Friday 4 December
An insight into the range of career opportunities backstage and off-stage – from costume
and props to marketing and front of house. Suitable for KS4+. Free event for London state
schools.
Shakespeare Student Conference
Tuesday 26 January, Olivier Theatre
A series of onstage talks and masterclasses exploring Shakespeare’s comedies for KS4 and
KS5 students, with members of the As You Like It company and creative team and academic
speakers.
Technical Theatre Masterclasses
An insight into professional practice for Technical Theatre and Production Arts students with
leading technicians, artists and designers.
Paule Constable Lighting Masterclass
Monday 1 February
Next Stage Days: a chance for students bring a piece of work in progress to the NT and get
specialist input on voice and movement from NT staff and artists.
Workshops, designed to support drama and theatre studies at KS3, KS4 and post-16, are
available on acting, directing or design and can focus on any production in the current NT
repertoire.
Archive Learning Days: free sessions exploring key NT productions and genres.
For Primary Schools:
Make Theatre Days
An active and exciting introduction to theatre making and the backstage world of the National
Theatre for Years 4 – 6
I Want My Hat Back
A creative learning programme for Nursery and Primary Schools combining CPD for
teachers and classroom resources with tickets to a performance of I Want My Hat Back.
The Comedy of Errors
An in-depth creative learning programme for Primary Schools with a focus on literacy for
Years 4 – 6 accompanies the production.
Contact: Martin Shippen on mshippen@nationaltheatre.org.uk
ENDS
6 July 2015
Booking information:
Public booking As You Like It, Husbands & Sons, Waste, Evening at the Talk House, Here
We Go, I Want My Hat Back and The Comedy of Errors opens on 20 July, and for
Inextinguishable Fire on 1 September.
Book tickets online at nationaltheatre.org.uk Box Office: 020 7452 3000
Twitter: @nationaltheatre #NTnewseason
Facebook: national.theatre.london
YouTube: NationalTheatre
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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.
The National Theatre is supported using public funding by
Arts Council England.
Travelex £15 Tickets sponsored by
The National Theatre is working in partnership with American Express
NT Future is supported by Bank of America Merrill Lynch
The National Theatre’s photographic images partner is Corbis
National Theatre Learning is supported by Goldman Sachs
The National Theatre’s UK touring hotel partner is Intercontinental Hotels Group
The National Theatre is a J.P. Morgan Partner
The Dorfman Partner is Neptune Investment Management
A National Theatre IT partner is Nimble Storage
The National Theatre’s pouring partner is Nyetimber
The National Theatre’s partner for Lighting and Energy is Philips
The official hotel partner of the National Theatre is Radisson Blu Edwardian
National Theatre Live’s 4K Technology Partner is Sony Digital Cinema
The National Theatre wishes to acknowledge its partner National Angels Limited
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THE NATIONAL’S REPERTOIRE as of 6 July 2015
NATIONAL THEATRE PRESS OFFICE
Tel: 020 7452 3235 Fax: 020 7452 3230 Email press@nationaltheatre.org.uk
PLAY
EVERYMAN
THE BEAUX’
STRATAGEM
THE RED LION
WE WANT YOU TO
WATCH
THE
MOTHERF**KER
WITH THE HAT
AN OAK TREE
BRAINSTORM
THREE DAYS IN THE
COUNTRY
OUR COUNTRY’S
GOOD
PEOPLE, PLACES
AND THINGS
POMONA
JANE EYRE
HUSBANDS & SONS
AS YOU LIKE IT
WASTE
I WANT MY HAT
BACK
EVENING AT THE
TALK HOUSE
HERE WE GO
WONDER.LAND
THE COMEDY OF
ERRORS
RIVER STAGE
WAR HORSE
THEATRE
Olivier
Olivier
PRESS NIGHT
29 April
26 May
CONTACT
Mary Parker
Susie Newbery
Dorfman
Temporary Theatre
10 June
15 June
Mary Parker
Susie Newbery
Lyttelton
17 June
Martin Shippen
Temporary Theatre
Temporary Theatre
Lyttelton Theatre
From 23 June
22 July
28 July
Susie Newbery
Susie Newbery
Martin Shippen
Olivier Theatre
26 August
Mary Parker
Dorfman Theatre
1 September
Temporary Theatre
Lyttelton Theatre
Dorfman Theatre
Olivier Theatre
Lyttelton Theatre
Temporary Theatre
14 September
17 September
27 October
3 November
10 November
16 November
Martin Shippen /
Clióna Roberts
Martin Shippen
Susie Newbery
Martin Shippen
Mary Parker
Susie Newbery
Martin Shippen
Dorfman Theatre
24 November
Mary Parker
Lyttelton Theatre
Olivier Theatre
Temporary Theatre
27 November
2 December
From 21 October
Mary Parker
Susie Newbery
Mary Parker
Riverside Square
New London Theatre
24 July – 30 August
THE CURIOUS
INCIDENT OF THE
DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME
PLATFORMS
CLORE LEARNING
CENTRE
Gielgud Theatre
Susie Newbery
Nada Zakula &
Alessandra D’Almo
Nada Zakula &
Alessandra D’Almo
UK tour
Malika Isles
Lucinda Morrison &
Martin Shippen
Lucinda Morrison, Head of Press: lmorrison@nationaltheatre.org.uk 020 7452 3232
Mary Parker, Senior Press Officer: mparker@nationaltheatre.org.uk 020 7452 3234
Martin Shippen, Press Manager: mshippen@nationaltheatre.org.uk 020 7452 3233
Susie Newbery, Press Officer: snewbery@nationaltheatre.org.uk 020 7452 3061
Malika Isles, Press Assistant: misles@nationaltheatre.org.uk 020 7452 3236.
Nada Zakula, Head of Press War Horse/Curious Incident nzakula@nationaltheatre.org.uk 020 7452
3046
Alessandra D’Almo, Press Assistant War Horse/Curious Incident adalmo@nationaltheatre.org.uk 020
7452 3163
Clióna Roberts: cliona@crpr.co.uk 020 7704 6224
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