National Theatre season highlights
From apartheid and politics to a vibrant new family musical, here's what to book in the National Theatre's new season
Master Harold and the boys, Lyttelton Theatre
Set in 1950s South Africa, Athold Fugard's semi-autobiographical play explores the uncomfortable dynamic of servitude and the way in which ingrained racisim plays out through a young man and his family's employees. Lucian Msamati returns to the National Theatre after dazzling in Amadeus to lead the cast.
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Mr. Gum and the Dancing Bear, Dorfman Theatre
Who can resist the despicable Mr. Gum? No child we know, that's for sure. Happily, Andy Stanton and David Tazzyman's award-winning children's book, Mr. Gum and the Dancing Bear, is now a musical directed by Amy Hodge, with music by Jim Fortune. Silly singing, dancing, hilarity – even burping combine in what is sure to be a highlight of your summer holidays.
Read more ...Translations, Olivier Theatre
After a sellout run in 2018, Translations returns to the National Theatre. In Brian Friel's masterful play,the story of English cartographers anglicising Irish landmarks reveals the weight of history, nationhood and myth mingled into each and every place name.
Ciarán Hinds, Seamus O’Hara and Judith Roddy will all reprise their roles for the re-run, with further casting to be confirmed.
Read more ...Hansard, Lyttelton Theatre
New and established talents combine in Hansard, a drama described as a 'witty and devastating portrait of the governing class.' Director Simon Godwin, after the success of Antony and Cleopatra, directs stage heavyweights Alex Jennings and Lindsay Duncan.
Read more ...The Secret River, Olivier Theatre
Kate Grenville’s 2005 book The Secret River has become a seminal text in the Australian literary canon, taught in schools and a staple in bookstores across the country. The Sydney Theatre Company's multi-award-winning stage adaption of the novel comes to the National Theatre to throw us head first into 19th century Australia in a tense tale of early colonisation.
Read more ...Jellyfish, National Theatre
Jellyfish is a classic story of falling in love and overcoming obstacles, and a radical exploration of the experience of and the attitudes towards disability. The heartfelt drama comes to the National's Dorfman Theatre after a sold-out run at Bush Theatre in 2018.