The National Theatre today announces new productions for all three South Bank stages this summer: Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff and Mnemonic in the Olivier theatre and The Grapes of Wrath in the Lyttelton theatre, alongside the previously announced The Hot Wing King in the Dorfman theatre. Tickets for all four productions are on sale to the public from Thursday 8 February, nationaltheatre.org.uk.
Following its acclaimed run at Liverpool’s Royal Court, James Graham’s powerful new adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s seminal TV show, Boys from the Blackstuff, comes to the Olivier stage. By arrangement with Bill Kenwright Limited, the production is directed by Kate Wasserberg, with original cast members George Caple, Dominic Carter, Helen Carter, Aron Julius, Nathan McMullen, Lauren O’Neil, Barry Sloane and Mark Womack returning. This is followed by Mnemonic, conceived by Simon McBurney, in a co-production with Complicité. Exploring memory, origins and migration, casting includes original company members Richard Katz and Kostas Philippoglou with further cast to be announced.
In the Lyttelton is a new production of Frank Galati’s Tony Award-winning adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath, based on the novel by John Steinbeck, directed by Carrie Cracknell. Casting includes Cherry Jones (Succession) as Ma Joad with further casting to be announced.
In the Dorfman is the previously announced The Hot Wing King by Katori Hall, who makes her National Theatre mainstage debut and reunites with director Roy Alexander Weise after their celebrated production of The Mountaintop. Cast includes Kadiff Kirwan (Slow Horses) as Cordell with further casting to be announced.
Director of the National Theatre, Rufus Norris, said: ‘Collaboration is at the heart of our work and this summer our three stages are energised by this as we welcome friends both new and old to the South Bank. I’m thrilled that Katori Hall will make her mainstage debut bringing a taste of Memphis’ culture and cuisine to the stage with the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Hot Wing King, making its UK debut here at the National Theatre.
‘Partnering with Liverpool’s Royal Court we will see Alan Bleasdale’s seminal Boys from the Blackstuff in the Olivier, as well as reuniting with Complicité, who return to the National for the first time since 2016, to delight and inspire new theatre goers with a reworking of their timelessly classic production of Mnemonic. Lastly, we welcome back Carrie Cracknell to the National Theatre, who will direct a new production of The Grapes of Wrath.’
All shows will have a limited number of 6.30pm performances as part of the National Theatre’s continuing pilot. This trial follows a major piece of research undertaken by the National Theatre to understand more from audiences about their post-Covid lifestyles and habits, including varying working patterns and journey times, particularly for those living outside of London. The early evening performances offer flexibility for audiences to make the most of their evening, with more time after curtain down to eat or to travel. 6.30pm performances fall on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
