Change of Venue for Two double bills of short plays at NT

On Thursday 12 May, the National Theatre announced two double bills of new short plays to be performed in the Cottesloe, from 8 July to 30 August. However, on Monday 16 May 2011, they changed their minds - the short plays will now take place in the backstage scenic studio called 'National Theatre Paintframe', and will now take place from 18 July to 10 September 2011. It is the first time ever the NT has opened up its backstage scenic studio for public performance. Public booking will now open on 21 June (instead of 26 May) and the schedule will be announced next month.

As this double bill of new plays will no longer go to the Cottesloe Theatre, London Road, which was to end on 18 June, will have an eight-week extension until 27 August 2011.(Public booking expected to go on sale in a few days for the extension)

As previously reported, The Cherry Orchard, ends on 13 Aug 2011, & Emperor and Galilean, ends 10 Aug 2011. (Public booking goes on sale 21 June for the remaining performances in August)

The summer season of two double bills in the 'National Theatre Paintframe', entitled "Double Feature", are Edgar & Annabel / The Swan in repertoire with Nightwatchman / There Is A War

Edgar & Annabel by Sam Holcroft, directed by Lyndsey Turner. A young married couple prepare dinner in a smartly furnished kitchen. Annabel is composed, intelligent, in love. Edgar is professional, successful, assured. She’s chopping vegetables, he’s brought the wine. But something isn’t right. In a city not so different from our own capital, a group of freedom fighters attempt to stand up to an Orwellian establishment in increasingly perilous circumstances.

The Swan by DC Moore, directed by Polly Findlay. Examines the ties that hold us together in a multi-cultural society. In a decaying pub in South London, preparations are being made for a wake. The beer is warm, the rain is falling, and tempers are running close to breaking point. Denise has lost a father – and Jim has missed his own son’s funeral. With only an hour before their guests arrive, a fractured family begin to settle their accounts. The ghosts of lives lived and opportunities missed are laid to rest as new and ancient betrayals are confronted and forgiven.

Nightwatchman by Prasanna Puwanarajah, directed by Polly Findlay. A vivid exploration of the search for the meaning of home. Abirami is English. And Sri Lankan. And a professional cricketer. Tomorrow she makes her debut for England against Sri Lanka, but tonight she faces a relentless bowling machine in a one-on-one session to prepare her for the innings of her life. As the night draws on, she challenges our preconceptions of politics, sport and national pride as harshly as she challenges her own.

There Is A War by Tom Basden, directed by Lyndsey Turner. Explores the mad savagery of war with black comedy. In another country, in another time, civil war rages. The Blues and the Greys have been fighting each other for as long as they can remember. Soldiers, priests and scavengers roam a landscape scorched by years of battle and decay. Anne, a young medical officer, finds herself abandoned and useless, unable to locate the hospital or even the war she was promised.

All plays are designed Soutra Gilmour, lighting by James Farncombe, sound by Carolyn Downing.

The repertoire cast includes Pippa Bennett-Warner, Karina Fernandez, Trystan Gravelle, Nitin Kundra and Stephanie Street.

Originally published on

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