The revival of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (which originally received its U.K. premiere at the National in 1989) will begin performances Jan. 26, 2016, prior to an official opening Feb. 2, in the Lyttelton Theatre, then playing in rep though May 18. Dominic Cooke directs a cast led by Sharon D. Clarke (who previously won an Olivier Award for The Amen Corner at the National in 2013) as Ma Rainey, and also including Clint Dyer, O-T Fagbenle, Tunji Lucas, Lucian Msamati and Giles Terera. The production will be designed by Ultz, with lighting by Charles Balfour, music by Tim Sutton, movement by Coral Messam and sound by Paul Arditti.
Sarah Kane's Cleansed will begin performances Feb. 16 prior to an official opening Feb. 23 in the Dorfman Theatre for a run that is initially booking through April 2, with further performances to be announced. Directed by Katie Mitchell, it has set design by Alex Eales, costumes by Sussie Juhlin-Wallen, lighting by Jack Knowles, movement by Joseph Alford, music by Paul Clark and sound by Melanie Wilson.
Lorraine Hansberry's last play Les Blancs will begin performances March 22 prior to an official opening March 30 in the Olivier Theatre, for a run that is initially booking through May 4, with further performances to be announced. It is the first of this year's Travelex £15 season plays. Directed by Yaël Farber, it is designed by Soutra Gilmour with lighting by Tim Lutkin and movement by Imogen Knight. This will be the first play by Hansberry to be produced at the National Theatre, and also Farber's first production for the National.
Shuhayla El-Bushra's The Suicide, based on Erdman's play of the same name, begins performances April 6, prior to an official opening April 13 in the Lyttelton Theatre, initially booking through May 21 with additional performances to be announced. Presented as part of the Travelex £15 season, it is directed by Nadia Fall, with designs by Mark Thompson and lighting by Paule Constable. El-Bushra is currently writer-in-residence at the National Studio.
Annie Baker's The Flick, which is also currently playing at New York's Barrow Street Theatre following its premiere at Playwrights' Horizons, will begin performances in April in the Dorfman Theatre, with press night to be announced. The production is directed by Sam Gold, with design by David Zinn, lighting by Jane Cox and sound by Brady Poor. It is produced in association with Scott Rudin. Three productions are also confirmed for the Temporary Theatre. Gary Owens's Iphigenia in Splott will begin performances Jan. 27, prior to an official opening Jan. 29, for a season through Feb. 20. Produced by Sherman Cymru, it is directed by Rachel O’Riordan, with Sophie Melville recreating her performance as Effie. The designer is Hayley Grindle, with lighting by Rachel Mortimer and sound by Sam Jones. Jack Thorne's The Solid Life of Sugar Water will begin performances Feb. 26 prior to an official opening Feb. 29, for a season through March 19. It is directed by Amit Sharma. Islington Community Theatre's production of Ned Glasier's Brainstorm will run March 29-April 2.
Public booking for Les Blancs, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,The Suicide, Cleansed, Iphigenia in Splott, The Solid Life of Sugar Water and Brainstorm will open Oct. 22. Booking dates for The Flick are to be announced. To book, contact the box office on 020 7452 3000 or visit nationaltheatre.org.uk.
