National Theatre announces shows through summer 2023

Siobhán McSweeney and Ardal O’Hanlon will star in Brian Friel's Dancing at Lughnasa.

The National Theatre has announced details on upcoming shows through summer 2023. New shows include The Motive and the Cue, based on Richard Burton and John Gielgud's Hamlet collaboration, as well as a revival of a Brian Friel play.

Upcoming productions at the National Theatre also include Hex, Othello starring Giles Terera, and Kerry Jackson starring Fay Ripley. We’ve broken down the information by theatre.

Olivier Theatre

Josie Rourke directs Brian Friel’s Dancing at Lughnasa at the National Theatre. Set in 1930s Donegal, five Mundy sisters battle poverty and do all it takes to survive, especially when the world is changing.

Derry Girls Siobhán McSweeney and Father Ted’s Ardal O’Hanlon star, alongside Louisa Harland, Bláithín Mac Gabhann, Justine Mitchell, Alison Oliver, and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor.

The show features set and costume design by Robert Jones, lighting design by Mark Henderson, choreography by Wayne McGregor, and sound design by Emma Laxton. Dancing at Lughnasa begins previews on 6 April, ahead of an opening night on 18 April, and performances to 27 May.

The Father and the Assassin then returns to the Olivier Theatre in September 2023. Paul Bazely reprises the role of Mahatma Gandhi in Anupama Chandrasekhar’s acclaimed play. Indhu Rubasingham directs, with set and costume design by Rajha Shakiry, lighting design by Oliver Fenwick, and sound design by Alexander Caplen.

Lyttelton Theatre

Sam Mendes directs Jack Thorne’s The Motive and the Cue. The play follows the relationships between Richard Burton, John Gielgud, and Elizabeth Taylor during the 1964 Broadway production of Hamlet.

Johnny Flynn plays Richard Burton, joined by Mark Gatiss as John Gielgud,Tuppence Middleton as Elizabeth Taylor, Allan Corduner, Ryan Ellsworth, Aysha Kala, Luke Norris, Michael Walters and Laurence Ubong Williams.

The show features set design by Es Devlin, costume design by Katrina Lindsay, lighting design by Jon Clark, and sound design by Paul Arditti. The Motive and the Cue begins performances on 20 April, ahead of an opening night on 2 May and performances to 1 July. Find out more about The Motive and the Cue in London.

Dorfman Theatre

Dixon and Daughters is a collaboration between Deborah Bruce and Clean Break, a company producing theatre with and about women affected by the criminal justice system. The play follows Mary as she is released from prison and wants to start afresh.

Róisin McBrinn directs Liz White, Andrea Lowe, Posy Sterling, Bríd Brennan, Alison Fitzjohn, and Yazmin Kayani. Kat Heath provides set and costume design, with lighting design by Paule Constable, and sound design by Sinéad Diskin. Dixon and Daughters begins previews on 15 April, ahead of an opening night on 25 April, and performances to 3 June.

Photo credit: The Father and the Assassin (Photo courtesy of production)