National Theatre announces plans for 2009

National Theatre announces plans for 2009

Nicholas Hytner has announced plans for 2009 at the The National Theatre.

In the Olivier Theatre...

May:
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, by William Shakespeare, directed by Marianne Elliott. The cast includes Clare Higgins (as the Countess of Rossillion), Conleth Hill (Parolles), George Rainsford (Bertram) and Michelle Terry (Helena).

September:
MOTHER COURAGE, by Brecht, directed by Deborah Warner, and starring Fiona Shaw in the title role.

November:
Following His Dark Materials, Coram Boy and War Horse, the National's new family epic for 2009 will be NATION, based on a novel by Terry Pratchett, adapted by Mark Ravenhill. Directed by Melly Still.

2010:
DANTON'S DEATH, by Georg Buchner, directed by Michael Grandage

In the Lyttleton Theatre...

June:
PHEDRE by Racine, in a version by Ted Hughes, directed by Nicholas Hytner. Starring Helen Mirren in the title role of She is joined by Dominic Cooper (as Hippolytus) and Margaret Tyzack (as Oenone) .

August:
THREE MORE SLEEPLESS NIGHTS by Caryl Churchill will have a short run of 6pm performances, directed by Gareth Machin.

November:
A new play by Alan Bennett, directed by Nicholas Hytner.

In the Cottesloe Theatre...

May:
THE OBSERVER, a new play by Matt Charman, directed by Richard Eyre. The cast includes Anna Chancellor, James Fleet, Chuk Iwuji.

July:
THE BLACK ALBUM, adapted by Hanif Kureishi from his own novel. A co-production with Tara Arts, directed by Jatinder Verma.

Oct:
THE PAINS OF YOUTH, by Ferdinand Bruckne, directed by Katie Mitchell.

Public booking for ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, PHEDRE and THE OBSERVER will open on 13 March 2009.

Nicholas Hytner also announced that four of its performances will be broadcast live to 50 independent and arts cinemas in the UK. The first of the performances is expected to Phedre, starring Helen Mirren, in June, with cinema tickets costing £10.