National Theatre announce future Productions

Nicholas Hytner has announced future productions at The National Theatre for 2012...

In the Olivier Theatre...

ANTIGONE, in a version by Don Taylor, directed by Polly Findlay, opening on 30 May. The Season will continue in July with TIMON OF ATHENS, directed by Nicholas Hytner as part of the World Shakespeare Festival, with Simon Russell Beale as Timon; in October Tirso de Molina’s DAMNED FOR DESPAIR, in a version by Frank McGuinness, directed by Bijan Sheibani.

In November, Timothy Sheader will make his NT directorial debut with Richard Bean’s new adaptation of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO, based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas. Alecky Blythe and Adam Cork’s LONDON ROAD, will be revived by Rufus Norris in the Olivier Theatre for a short season from July.

Looking further ahead to 2013, when the National celebrates its 50th anniversary, Antony Sher (currently appearing in Travelling Light) will return to play the title role of THE CAPTAIN OF KÖPENICK by Carl Zuckmayer, directed by Adrian Noble, opening in the Olivier in January. Later that spring, Nicholas Hytner will direct Shakespeare’s OTHELLO, with Adrian Lester in the title role and Rory Kinnear as Iago.

In the Lyttelton Theatre...

MISTERMAN, written and directed by Enda Walsh, will open on 18 April for a limited run; Cillian Murphy will recreate his solo performance in the Landmark Productions/Galway Arts Festival production.

In June, Howard Davies directs Julie Walters, Rory Kinnear and Helen McCrory in a new play, THE LAST OF THE HAUSSMANS by Stephen Beresford.

THE DOCTOR’S DILEMMA by Bernard Shaw will be directed by Nadia Fall, opening in July.

A new play by Alan Bennett, PEOPLE, will open in the Lyttelton in late October, directed by Nicholas Hytner.

In March 2013, Howard Davies will direct Gorky’s CHILDREN OF THE SUN.

In the Cottesloe Theatre...

MOON ON A RAINBOW SHAWL by Errol John opens on 14 March, directed by Michael Buffong; the cast includes Jude Akuwudike, Jade Anouka, Jenny Jules and Danny Sapani. Inua Ellams returns to the Cottesloe in April with his new show, BLACK T-SHIRT COLLECTION, presented by Fuel.

DETROIT by Lisa D'Amour has its UK premiere in May, directed by Austin Pendleton (who directed the original production by Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company last year) with a new London cast.

In July, Marianne Elliott directs THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, based on the novel by Mark Haddon, adapted by Simon Stephens; the cast includes Una Stubbs, Luke Treadaway and Nicola Walker.

A new play by James Graham, THIS HOUSE, will be directed by Jeremy Herrin, opening in September.

Rupert Goold will direct a new play by Lucy Prebble, in a co-production with Headlong, in November.

Katie Mitchell will stage HANSEL AND GRETEL for 4 to 7 year-olds in December.

- by Darren Dalglish