Everyone’s got mental health issues in Hex: which is the Sleeping Beauty story extended to the troublesome folk-tale aftermath. The tousled Fairy has no wings and low status, while snobbish ones float gorgeously overhead in light-rippling 20ft robes.
What’s the likelihood that Hex won’t ever officially open at the National?
It’s not unusual for artistic directors of national companies to pursue the holy grail of producing a hit musical — not just for the financial security of the venue they are running, but also for their own.
NEWS: More details announced for National Theatre’s new season as the venue opens up for daytime visitors
The National Theatre has announces further details for its upcoming productions Trouble in Mind, Wuthering Heights and Small Island, as well as the return of daytime opening for visitors.
NEWS: National Theatre announces further casting for The Normal Heart, Hex, East Is East & Manor
The National Theatre, returning to performances with full capacity audiences from later this month, has announced further casting details for forthcoming productions of Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart, original musical Hex, Moira Buffini’s new play Manor, and more.
NEWS: National Theatre’s reopening programme includes new musical co-written by Rufus Norris & the return of playwright Alecky Blythe
The National Theatre has announced its programming until the start of next year with productions on all three South Bank stages as well as three major UK tours, two productions on Broadway, a return to cinemas, and a new feature film to be broadcast on television this autumn.
NEWS: Olivier & Dorfman Theatres will reopen in June 2021 with Under Milk Wood & Jack Thorne’s new play After Life
The National Theatre has announces plans to reopen in June, welcoming audiences back to the South Bank for the first time since closing last December. The Olivier Theatre will reopen on 16 June 2021 with Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas. The Dorfman Theatre will reopen on 2 June for the first time since February 2020 with the previously announced co-production with Headlong, After Life written by Jack Thorne and directed by Jeremy Herrin.
Mark Shenton offers a bittersweet celebration of his Top Ten Favourite West End Theatres
My latest ShenTens is particularly bittersweet, as we can’t actually go to any at the moment: my favourite West End theatres.
NEWS: Clint Dyer is appointed deputy artistic director of the National Theatre
The National Theatre has announced that Clint Dyer has been appointed deputy artistic director. He will work closely with Rufus Norris, director and joint chief executive, and Emily McLaughlin, director of new work, to support and shape the NT’s creative output.
NEWS: National Theatre & RSC receive emergency loans as part of the Culture Recovery Fund
The Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has announced that the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company will receive £19.7 million and £19.4 million loans respectively from the Culture Recovery Fund.
NEWS: National Theatre announces original film of Romeo & Juliet with Josh O’Connor & Jessie Buckley
The National Theatre has announced it is creating a new filmed version of Romeo & Juliet for television, temporarily transforming the vast stage spaces of its Lyttelton theatre into a film studio to capture Shakespeare’s timeless play for a new generation of audiences. The National Theatre has broadcast stage productions to cinemas for over a decade through its National Theatre …
NEWS: National Theatre returns with new Clint Dyer & Roy Williams play performed by Giles Terera
The National Theatre will reopen with a socially distanced production of new one-person play, Death of England: Delroy, by Clint Dyer and Roy Williams, directed by Dyer and performed by Giles Terera.
‘A modern-day classic about an age-old problem’: SMALL ISLAND – National Theatre (Online review)
A terrific and epic play about the Windrush generation: Andrea Levy’s sprawling novel Small Island has been turned into a glorious staged adaptation by writer Helen Edmundson.
Q&A video: How does Kander & Ebb’s Cabaret resonate even more strongly in 2019?
A musical about loss of rights, freedoms and humanity as a far-right populist party takes over a once-liberal society? Nothing familiar about that…
‘What a triumph’: CABARET – Touring
So put “down your knitting, the book and the broom” and rush to the Churchill to see this awesome production of sex, violence, love, friendship, sadness, prejudice that proves life is a Cabaret.
‘You won’t be disappointed’: CABARET – Touring
What a pleasure to see Rufus Norris’ award winning production of Kander and Ebb’s Cabaret at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley.
‘It’s the creative team’s role to bring a play to fresh life’: 10 questions for 10 years – Rufus Norris
Rather tickled that no less than the artistic director of the National Theatre Rufus Norris himself does time out of his hectic schedule to answer Ten (9) Questions for Ten Years.
Where were you 10 years ago?
I’d just directed Death and the King’s Horseman by Wole Soyinka in the Olivier Theatre.
Best show you’ve seen in the last 10 years?
An impossible question to answer but if I had to pick one it would be Pericles (Public Acts) in the Olivier last year.
What has been your professional highlight of the last 10 years?
Becoming Director of the National Theatre and London Road.
Top flavour of interval ice-cream?
Salted caramel.
What show do you wish theatres would give a rest for a few years?
Many plays have the potential to be boring or resonant so it’s the creative team’s role to bring a play to fresh life.
Name someone who you think is a really underappreciated talent (in the world of theatre)?
There are so many unsung heroes working within theatre, from the technical teams behind-the-scenes making magic happen on stage, to those ensuring the smooth running of a building, I’m always amazed by their commitment. A few people who come to mind are Erin Lee in Archive, Nicky Holderness in Props and the set builder Simon.
What is one thing that you think would help theatre survive and/or thrive the next ten years?
An education system that recognises the huge benefit that only the arts can deliver, and a shift in philosophy that correctly views subsidy as investment for the good of this country.
Which is your favourite theatre?
The National Theatre, of course. I also love the Royal Exchange in Manchester.
Can you say anything about what’s to come for you, (in the next ten years or otherwise)?
Loads of plays including our next Public Acts show As You Like It with a cast of 100 community members at the Queens Theatre in Hornchurch. Hopefully a little time spent in nature in between.
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‘The play is a wonderful thing’: SMALL ISLAND – National Theatre
Small Island is an absolute joy and an overdue, no reservations at all, win for Rufus Norris at the NT. There’s nothing else to say. Well except this: you must see it, immediately.
‘Pure & thoughtful pleasure’: SMALL ISLAND – National Theatre ★★★★★
Small Island is a terrific yarn, both romantic and tough, about history and Empire and sex and frustration, escape and hope and love and racism: about promises turned to dross and the great seas of misunderstanding that roll between people.
‘Relevant & fulsomely entertaining’: SMALL ISLAND – National Theatre
The stage version of Andrea Levy’s classic Windrush story is a fun epic that takes ages and ages to warm up.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Small Island at the National Theatre
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for Helen Edmundson’s stage adaptation of Andrea Levy’s Orange Prize-winning novel, Small Island.