The National Theatre, has announced productions for April to July 2005, and future productions...

The National Theatre, has announced productions for April to July 2005, and future productions...

The National Theatre has announced productions for April to July 2005, and future productions...

Public booking opens 3 March 2005 for the following five productions

In the Olivier...

Henry IV Parts 1 & 2 by William Shakespeare, opens 4 May 2005, following previews from 16 April 2005 and booking to 2 July 2005 (but expected to run to Aug 2005). (NOTE: Part 1 & Part 2 are two separate plays) It is directed by Nicholas Hytner; designed by Mark Thompson; lighting by Neil Austin; Music/soundscore by Max Ringham, Ben Ringham and Andrew Rutland; Sound by Paul Groothuis. Cast includes Michael Gambon (Falstaff), David Bradley (King Henry), David Harewood (Hotspur), Matthew Macfadyen (Prince Hal ), John Wood (Shallow), Thomas Arnold, Robert Blythe, Susan Brown, John Carlisle, Naomi Frederick, Ian Gelder, Darren Hart, Jeffery Kissoon, Elliot Levey, Robert Lister, Iain Mitchell, Eve Myles, Harry Peacock, Alistair Petrie, Samuel Roukin, Adrian Scarborough, Roger Sloman, Rupert Ward-Lewis, Andrew Westfield, Danny Worters.

The UN Inspector freely adapted from Gogol's Russian satire The Government Inspector by David Farr, opens 16 June 2005, following previews from 7 June, booking to 30 June 2005 (but expected to run to Oct 2005). It is directed by David Farr, designed by Ti Green, lighting by Mark Henderson, music by Keith Clouston. Spotted at the Marriott by government aides in search of a decent cappuccino, a British businessman nonentity is mistaken for the dreaded UN inspector. While he exploits the situation for all it's worth, presidential panic ensues as ex-Soviet Ministers make farcical attempts to cover up the corruption that lies at the State's core.

In the Lyttelton...

Theatre Of Blood by Lee Simpson and Phelim McDermott, based on the MGM/Sam Jaffe/Harbor Productions Film, an idea by Stanley Mann and John Kohn, and the screenplay by Anthony Greville Bell, opens 19 May 2005, following previews from 9 May, booking to 15 Jun 2005 (but expected to run to Sep 2005). It co-produced by National and Improbable Theatre; directed by Phelim McDermott; designed by Rae Smith; lighting by Colin Grenfell; Music by Joby Talbot ; fight director Terry King; sound by Gareth Fry. The cast includes Jim Broadbent (as Lionheart), Paul Bentall, Hayley Carmichael, Sally Dexter, Nick Haverson, Mark Lockyer, Tim McMullan, Rachael Spence, Steve Steen , Rachael Stirling. Seven self-regarding critics assemble at a disused theatre in response to a mysterious invitation. Too late they discover its gruesome purpose as Edward Lionheart, an actor frenzied by a lifetime of sneering reviews, hacks his revengeful way through the bloody works of Shakespeare, assisted by a gang of murderous tramps. The laws of theatre supersede the laws of physics in this macabre exhibition of putty noses, Kensington gore and some very large acting indeed.

In the Cottesloe...

Tristan & Yseult by Carl Grose and Anna Maria Murphy, adapted by Emma Rice, opens 12 April 2005, following previews from 4 April, closing 7 Jun 2005. It is co-produced by National Theatre / Kneehigh Theatre, directed by Emma Rice, designed by Bill Mitchell, lighting by Alex Wardle , sound by Greg Clark. The cast includes Stu Barker, Dan Canham, Craig Johnson, Giles King, Pieter Lawman, Amanda Lawrence, Éva Magyar, Sarah Moody, Mike Shepherd, Anthony Shuster, Tristan Sturrock, Alex Vann.King Mark is at war; he rules with his head not his heart. But he hasn't counted on falling head over heels for his enemy's sister.

On The Shore Of The Wide World a new play by Simon Stephens, opens 26 May 2005, following previews from 20 May, booking 10 Jun 2005. (But expected to run to 22 Aug 2005). It is co-produced by National Theatre / Manchester Royal Exchange, directed by Sarah Frankcom, designed by Liz Ascroft, lighting by Mick Hughes , music by Julian Swales, sound by Peter Rice. Cast includes Carla Henry, Thomas Morrison, Eileen O'Brien , Steven Webb. Roy Keane, girls and the size of the galaxy: Stockport, 2004, and the boys are growing up fast. Soon they'll be looking to escape, and it makes their parents feel old. Christopher could always rely on a kind word from his grandfather, but now he's not so sure. And then something happens that changes family life forever. A play about discord, heartbreak and the redemptive power of love across three generations. (This play will open in Manchester on 18 April (playing until 14 May), and transfers to the Cottesloe from 20 May)

Productions extended

The House of Bernarda Alba now booking to 18 June 2005

A Dream Play now closes 11 May 2005

Casting updates......

The full cast for Katie Mitchell's production of A Dream Play by August Strindberg, in a new version by Caryl Churchill, with additional material by Katie Mitchell and the company, opening in the Cottesloe on 15 Feb 2005, following previews from 15 Feb is: Mark Arends, Anastasia Hille, Kristin Hutchinson, Sean Jackson, Charlotte Roach, Dominic Rowan, Justin Salinger, Susie Trayling, Lucy Whybrow, Angus Wright.

Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba, in a new English version by David Hare, opens in the Lyttelton on 15 Mar 2005, following previews from 5 Mar, directed by Howard Davies. The cast is Penelope Wilton, Mary Cunningham, Deborah Findlay, Beth Fitzgerald, Maria Golledge, Sally Hawkins, Jennifer Hill, Katherine Manners, Sandy McDade, Jo McInnes, Pamela Merrick, Justine Mitchell, Cherry Morris, Jennifer Scott-Malden, Rachael Spence, Sophie Trott, Kirsty Wood.

Future productions announced......

PLAYING WITH FIRE (Olivier)
a new play by David Edgar Opening in Sep 2005,

ARISTOCRATS (Lyttelton )
Tom Cairns will direct Aristocrats by Brian Friel.

ATTEMPTS ON HER LIFE (Lyttelton)
Katie Mitchell will direct Attempts On Her Life by Martin Crimp. ( Attempts on Her Life was originally produced at the Royal Court's Theatre Upstairs in 1997).

DV8 - JUST FOR SHOW (Lyttelton)
DV8 Physical Theatre will present their new stage production Just For Show in the Lyttelton for nine performances only, as part of an international and UK tour. Just For Show is directed by the company's founder and Artistic Director, Lloyd Newson. DV8 was formed in 1986 and has produced 14 highly acclaimed dance pieces, which have toured internationally, and 3 award-winning films for television.

GHOSTS (Lyttelton)
Jonathan Kent will direct Ibsen's Ghosts in a new version by Nicholas Wright. This will be the first production of Ghosts at the National.

PRESIDENT OF AN EMPTY ROOM (Cottesloe)
A new play by Steven Knight, President of an Empty Room, will be directed by Howard Davies. The cast will include Paul Hilton.

NEW PLAY BY MIKE LEIGH (Cottesloe)
There will be a new play written and directed by Mike Leigh, opening in the Cottesloe in September. The cast will include John Burgess, Ben Caplan, Allan Corduner, Adam Godley, Caroline Gruber, Nitzan Sharron, Samantha Spiro and Alexis Zegerman.

PAUL (Cottesloe)
A new play by Howard Brenton, Paul, will be directed by Howard Davies.

TRANSLATIONS (Mobile tour & Cottesloe Theatre) There will be a mobile tour of Brian Friel's TRANSLATIONS, directed by Sean Holmes and produced by NT Education. The production will visit small and mid-scale venues around the country this autumn, culminating in two weeks at the Cottesloe in November 2005.

SOUTHWARK FAIR (Cottesloe)
Nicholas Hytner will direct a new play by Samuel Adamson

THE HISTORY BOYS (UK tour and Lyttelton Theatre)
Returns in repertoire in the Lyttelton from December - January Alan Bennett's award-winning play The History Boys, directed by Nicholas Hytner, will tour the UK for 8 weeks this autumn. It will return to the Lyttelton repertoire for the Christmas and New Year period, after which the production will embark on an international tour in early 2006. The cast is to be announced.

New Platforms announced....
(6pm (45 mins)

John Berger: Here Is Where We Meet
13 April, Lyttelton
Writer and Artists: John Berger and the Art of Collaboration Coinciding with the NT exhibition (see below), a discussion which illuminates John Berger's celebrated collaborations with contemporary artists to create unique 'bookworks'. Maggi Hambling, Jean Mohr and John Christie consider the nature of dialogue and the shared creative process. Chaired by Geoff Dyer. Followed by booksigning.

Julian Clary,
19 April 2005, Cottesloe
As a boy, Julian Clary wanted to be 'Jean Genet, Jean Brodie and Larry Grayson'. From a quiet suburban upbringing, he went on to fame and notoriety as The Joan Collins Fan Club. Following his recent accomplishments on Strictly Come Dancing he talks about A Young Man's Passage (his autobiography). Followed by booksigning.

Christopher Hampton,
20 April, Cottesloe
Marking the publication of Hampton on Hampton, one of Britain's most prominent - and least predictable - dramatists, explores a career which embraces theatre (Tales from Hollywood), film (Dangerous Liaisons), translation (Art) and musicals (Sunset Boulevard) with interviewer Alistair Owen, and discusses its recurring theme: the clash of liberal and radical thought. Followed by booksigning.

John Berger and John Christie's I Send you this Cadmium Red
with Gavin Bryars 4 May, Cottesloe
A vivid exploration of colour in the form of an intriguing correspondence between Berger and Christie. This performance, drawn from the Radio 3 presentation, features the renowned composer Gavin Bryars playing his music for the piece, accompanied by rich and resonant visuals and voices reflecting on the historical and cultural implications of colour.

Penguin Platform: Nicholas Hytner on Henry IV,
6 May, Olivier
Coinciding with the relaunch of the Penguin Shakespeare series and a new collaboration with the National Theatre (who use and recommend the Penguin Shakespeare editions), director Nicholas Hytner discusses his new production of Henry IV with Adrian Poole.

Michael Pennington on A Midsummer Night's Dream,
13 May, Cottesloe
Pennington's 'User's Guide' to the Dream follows his previous discourses on Twelfth Night and Hamlet. Here he takes us scene by scene through Shakespeare's much-performed comedy, elucidating how it actually works on stage, what choices are open to performers and what impact those choices will have. Followed by booksigning.

John Burgess on Greek and Roman Drama,
16 May, Cottesloe
Director John Burgess talks about Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Menander, Plautus, Terence and Seneca - as featured in his refreshingly accessible Pocket Guide to Greek and Roman Drama. Followed by booksigning.

Peter Brook,
26 May, Lyttelton
Marking the publication of Peter Brook: A Biography, one of the great forces in 20th century theatre talks with his biographer, Michael Kustow, about an extraordinarily diverse career that includes his productions of the Marat/Sade and the famous 'white box' production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. His groundbreaking work in Paris led to a series of innovative productions including The Conference of the Birds, The Mahabharata and, most recently, Ta Main Dans La Mienne. Followed by booksigning.

Vera Gottlieb on the Moscow Art Theatre,
3 June, Cottesloe
Renowned theatre historian Vera Gottlieb talks about Anton Chekhov at the Moscow Art Theatre: the remarkable publication of 1914 facsimile documents, photographs and journals illustrating the premieres of Chekhov's major plays. Followed by booksigning.

Tristan & Yseult
6 June, Cottesloe
With director Emma Rice.

On the Shore of the Wide World
9 June, Cottesloe
With director Sarah Frankcom.

Theatre of Blood
13 June, Lyttelton
With Improbable.

Other Events....

ARCHITECTURE WEEK 2005 AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE... 21st Century Theatre Architecture
17 June, 6pm, Lyttelton
A discussion about the specific challenges and contemporary thinking behind theatre architecture at the beginning of the 21st century with practitioners currently working in the field.

National Theatre 'ArchiTours'
Saturday 18 and 25 June, 10.15am and 12.15pm
Guest architects join National Theatre guides for special tours, looking at Lasdun's celebrated building from a design, structural and practical point of view.

South Bank 'ArchiTours'
East: 21, 22, 23, 24 June, 7pm West: 21, 22, 23, 24 June, 7.15pm
The South Bank offers a rich architectural assortment from the remnants of the Festival of Britain to the recent reclamation of the Bankside Power Station by Tate Modern. Starting from the National, each of these architect-led tours will take a route along the South Bank, either going East (Oxo Tower, Tate Modern, Globe etc) or West (Hayward Gallery, Festival Hall, London Eye etc).