Rehearsal images have been released for My Brilliant Friend at The National Theatre.
When the most important person in her life goes missing without a trace, Lenu Greco, now a celebrated author, begins to recall a relationship of more than 60 years. First meeting on the dangerous streets of post-war Naples, friends Lila and Lenu experience turbulent social and political change, from the rise of the Camorra to the sexual revolution and the transformation of their neighbourhood, city and nation. But even as life repeatedly tries to pull them in separate directions, they remain inextricably bound to one another.
Based on the celebrated novels by Elena Ferrante – published in over 50 countries – My Brilliant Friend is an epic story of love, violence, ambition and self-destruction.
Following a sell-out run at Rose Theatre Kingston, the acclaimed two-part adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend by April De Angelis (Jumpy) is reworked for the Olivier stage by Melly Still (Coram Boy). Niamh Cusack and Catherine McCormack return to the roles they originated as Lenu and Lila.
My Brilliant Friend, a co-production with Rose Theatre Kingston, in which Ferrante’s four novels become one play, presented in two parts, previews from 12 November at The Olivier Theatre.
