National Theatre announces new 2017/18 Season: Bryan Cranston, Pinocchio and more

Rufus Norris announces the National's New Season.

The National Theatre have today announced details of their upcoming 2017/18 season which will include a record number of new plays being performed at the venue's Olivier Theatre.

Bryan Cranston will make his UK stage debut in the world premiere of Network which will be directed by Ivo Van Hove, who returns to the National following his current production of Hedda Gabler. Cranston recently won a Tony Award for his Broadway role in All The Way and is familiar to fans of the popular TV series Breaking Bad.

John Tiffany will direct a new musical production of Disney's Pinocchio which will run at the Lyttelton Theatre over the Christmas period, using songs from the much loved Disney animated film.

Annie Baker will return to the venue following her successful UK production of The Flick, with the European premiere of her play John which will run in the Dorfman Theatre.

Rufus Norris will return to directing Shakespeare as he mounts a new production of Macbeth in the Olivier Theatre starring Anne Marie Duff and Rory Kinnear in the central roles which will run in 2018.

A total of 12 new plays written by an even split of male and female writers will run across the National Theatre's three venues over the next 12 months, with new work including Saint George and the Dragon, Beginning and Majority continuing the venue's commitment to displaying new voices on stage.

It was also announced that the current sell-out production of Amadeus will return to the venue in 2018, and that the hit play by Duncan Macmillan People Places and Things will transfer to St Ann's Warehouse in New York this October, starring Olivier Award-winner Denise Gough once again in the lead role.

New Productions announced:

In the Olivier Theatre

Saint George and the Dragon: A new epic play by Rory Mullarkey that tells the story of a knight who became a myth, and a country in need of a story. Directed by Lyndsey Turner it will feature design by Rae Smith, lighting by Bruno Poet, music by Gran Olding and choreography by Lynne Page.

Macbeth: Rufus Norris will direct Anne-Marie Duff and Rory Kinnear in Shakespeare's darkest tragedy, opening in Spring 2018.

In the Lyttelton Theatre

Network: Lee Hall's new adaptation of the Oscar-winning film by Paddy Chayefsky will be directed by Ivo Van Hove and star Bryan Cranston in the role of Howard Beale. It will feature set and lighting design by Jan Versweyveld and will open in November 2017.

Pinocchio: John Tiffany will direct this world premiere adapted by Dennis Kelly with songs and score by Leigh Harline, Ned Washington and Paul J. Smith, adapted by Martin Lowe. The production will feature puppet and stage design b Bob Crowley, choreography by Steven Hoggett and lighting design by Paule Constable. The production is presented by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions.

In the Dorfman Theatre

The Majority: Rob Drummond will return to the National with a one man show about democracy, direced by David Overend which will open in August 2017.

Beginning: The world premiere of David Eldridge's new play directed by Polly Findlay will open in October 2017, featuring design by Fly Davis, lighting design by Jack Knowles and sound design by Paul Arditti. A romantic comedy.

John: Annie Baker returns to the Dorfman Theatre with her new play directed by James Macdonald with a cast that includes Georgia Engel, opening in early 2018.

Further details and dates for each new production are yet to be announced.