Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham's first NT season has been unveiled.
Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham has announced her first season at the National Theatre. Located on the South Bank, the stars onstage include Letitia Wright, Nicola Coughlan, Paul Mescal and Stormzy. The shows include Hamlet, The Jungle Book, new writing and a return to repertory theatre.
Indhu is the seventh director at the theatre. At the heart of the programme is the desire to welcome new audiences. The line-up includes 16 new productions, nine world premieres, two tours for schools and a return to repertory theatre.
Paul Mescal makes his National Theatre debut in A Whistle in the Dark and Death of a Salesman. Despite their different settings, both plays focus on dysfunctional family relationships and the struggle for identity. Tracey Scott Wilson's The Story makes its debut in the United Kingdom, and stars Letitia Wright. The Playboy of the Western World will include Bridgerton star, Nicola Coughlan.
Hamlet will be the first play in the season, and opens at the Lyttelton Theatre. Hiran Abeysekera will play the title role. Bacchae is written by Nima Taleghani and directed by Indhu. Nima is making his debut at the theatre. Ballet Shoes is directed by Katy Rudd, and The Jungle Book has been adapted by Anupama Chandrasekhar.
Stormzy and Indhu are working on an upcoming production, which will premiere at the National Theatre. Stormzy explained: 'I've always been drawn to theatre and over the past few years I've loved going to all kinds of plays and musicals. It's such a unique space where storytelling, music and performance all come together in the most powerful way and there's something about experiencing theatre that's always stayed with me. When I went to see Indhu at the National Theatre, we properly hit it off and I'm excited to go on this creative journey with her".
Director and Co-Chief Executive of the National Theatre, Indhu Rubasingham, added: "I am so excited about everything to come, and the wealth of projects and artists announced today. The National Theatre is a beacon of creativity, humanity and possibilities. It holds the stories of so many people who have made this place mean so much to so many. This is just the beginning, a flavour of what's to come, the start of the next chapter".
Check in with FACT for the best things to do in London.
GO: Visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk for more information.