1 2 June 2016 an Unrivalled Season This Summer and Autumn at The

Home , Alexi Kaye Campbell, Anna Chancellor, Backstage Production, Gielgud Theatre, Haydn Gwynne, Helen McCrory

2 June 2016

An unrivalled season this summer and autumn at the National Theatre

 Amadeus by Peter Shaffer with Lucian Msamati as Salieri  The Red Barn, a new play by David Hare  Stuff Happens, a rehearsed reading of David Hare's landmark play, staged to coincide with the publication of the Chilcot report  Peter Pan, a Bristol Old Vic co-production directed by Sally Cookson with Sophie Thompson as Captain Hook/Mrs Darling and Paul Hilton as Peter  Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour, a National Theatre of Scotland and Live Theatre co-production  A Pacifist’s Guide to the War on Cancer, a Complicite Associates co-production with the National Theatre, in association with HOME Manchester  River Stage, the National Theatre’s outdoor arts and music festival, returns to present a host of free weekend entertainment from 29 July to 29 August. The festival hosts takeover weekends from Latitude Festival, Rambert Dance Company, Bristol’s Mayfest, East London’s The Glory and the NT. Each weekend will stage the very best in live music, dance, performance, DJs and family workshops  Connections 21, celebrating 21 years of the world’s largest youth arts festival.

This autumn, Peter Shaffer’s classic play Amadeus makes a long-awaited return to the National after 37 years. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a rowdy young prodigy who arrives in Vienna determined to make a splash. Awestruck by his genius, Court Composer Antonio Salieri has the power to promote his talent or destroy it. Seized by obsessive jealousy he begins a war with Mozart, with music and, ultimately, with God. Directed by Michael Longhurst (The World of Extreme Happiness at the NT and Constellations), this acclaimed play had its premiere at the National Theatre in 1979, winning multiple Olivier and Tony Awards before being adapted into an Academy Award-winning film. In this new production, Lucian Msamati (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) plays Salieri, with live orchestral accompaniment by Southbank Sinfonia. Designed by Chloe Lamford, with music direction and additional music by Simon Slater, choreography by Imogen Knight, lighting by Jon Clark and sound by Paul Arditti. Amadeus runs from 19 October to 31 December, and is supported by Travelex, with hundreds of seats at £15 for every show; the production is supported by the Amadeus production syndicate, in association with Southbank Sinfonia. The Red Barn is a new play by David Hare, based on the novel, La Main, by Georges Simenon. The great detective writer Georges Simenon escaped France at the end of World War Two, and arrived in the USA to start again. With his American wife, he settled at Shadow Rock Farm in Lakeville. Years later, he wrote La Main, a psychological thriller set in a New England farmhouse.

David Hare has taken this novel and forged from it a startling new play that unfolds in Connecticut in 1969. On their way back from a party, two couples struggle home through the snow. Not everyone arrives safely. Directed by Robert Icke (Oresteia), with design by Bunny Christie, lighting by Paule Constable, Tim Reid as Video Designer and sound by Tom Gibbons, The Red Barn plays in the Lyttelton Theatre from Thursday 6 October and is currently booking to 19 November, with additional performances and cast to be announced. Produced in association with Scott Rudin. David Hare’s Stuff Happens returns for one night only to mark the publication of the Chilcot Inquiry’s report. Hare directs a rehearsed reading of his landmark 2004 play about the diplomatic process leading up to the invasion of Iraq. 6 July, 7.30pm in the Lyttelton Theatre, all tickets priced £10. Peter Pan, JM Barrie's much-loved tale, takes flight at the NT this winter. When Peter Pan, the leader of the Lost Boys, loses his shadow during a visit to London, headstrong Wendy helps him reattach it. In return she is invited to Neverland – where Tinker Bell the fairy, Tiger Lily and the vengeful Captain Hook await. Following the acclaimed Jane Eyre, Sally Cookson brings her wondrously inventive Peter Pan to the NT after a sell-out run at Bristol Old Vic. The cast includes Saikat Ahamed, Suzanne Ahmet, Marc Antolin, Lois Chimimba, Laura Cubitt, Phoebe Fildes, Felix Hayes, Paul Hilton, John Leader, Amaka Okafor, John Pfumojena, Jessica Temple, Sophie Thompson, Dan Wheeler and Madeleine Worrall. Exploring the possibilities and pain of growing up, Peter Pan is a riot of magic, mischief, music and make-believe, suitable for children aged 7 and over. Dramaturgy is by Mike Akers, with set design by Michael Vale, costume design by Katie Sykes, lighting by Aideen Malone, music by Benji Bower, sound design by Dominic Bilkey, movement by Dan Canham, aerial direction by Gwen Hales, fight direction by Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown of RC-ANNIE Ltd and puppet direction and design by Toby Olié. Peter Pan is a Bristol Old Vic and NT co-production, devised by the Company and based on the works of JM Barrie. The production runs from 16 November, with additional performances to be announced. Half-price tickets available for under-18s. Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour, the critically acclaimed stage adaptation of Alan Warner’s cult Scottish novel The Sopranos, adapted by Lee Hall (Billy Elliot) and directed by Vicky Featherstone (Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre), receives its London premiere at the Dorfman Theatre on 8 August. This musical tells the story of six girls on the cusp of change. Funny, sad, rude and beautifully sung, Our Ladies... is a tribute to being young, lost and out of control, featuring a soundtrack of classical music and 70s pop rock, to create a wild and tender ‘play meets gig’ about singing, sex and Sambuca. Suitable for those aged 16 and over.

The production had its premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2015, and enjoyed a successful sell-out run at the Traverse Theatre, earning critical and audience acclaim, and picking up four awards before embarking on a national tour. The full cast includes Melissa Allan, Caroline Deyga, Kirsty Findlay, Karen Fishwick, Joanne McGuiness, Kirsty MacLaren, Frances Mayli McCann and Dawn Sievewright with musicians Amy Shackcloth, Laura Bangay, Becky Brass and Emily Linden. Music arrangement and supervision is by Martin Lowe, design by Chloe Lamford, lighting design by Lizzie Powell and choreography by Imogen Knight. Our Ladies… marks the National Theatre of Scotland’s return to the NT in London, following the sell-out co- production of The James Plays in 2014, which is currently touring.

Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour is a National Theatre of Scotland and Live Theatre co- production, running from 8 August to 1 October. The Dorfman Partner is Neptune Investment Management. A Pacifist’s Guide to the War on Cancer is an all-singing, all-dancing examination of life with a cancer diagnosis. This brand new musical confronts the highs and lows of the scariest word we know. Bryony Kimmings creates fearless theatre to provoke social change. Her collaboration with Complicite looks behind the poster campaigns and pink ribbons at the reality of cancer: waiting rooms and chemo suites, changed bodies, family pressures and financial worries. Expect big anthems, shiny costumes, blood, tears and real cancer patients in this rip-roaring, heart-breaking celebration of ordinary life and death. Directed by Bryony Kimmings, with the cast including Naana Agyei-Ampadu, Amy Booth- Steel, Hal Fowler, Amanda Hadingue, Golda Rosheuvel and Gareth Snook, the show is a whistle-stop tour through life with a cancer diagnosis, with songs. The book is by Bryony Kimmings and Brian Lobel, with lyrics by Bryony Kimmings and music by Tom Parkinson. The production features set design by Lucy Osborne, costume design by Christina Cunningham, choreography by Lizzi Gee, music direction by Marc Tritschler, lighting design by Paul Anderson and sound design by Lewis Gibson, and is a Complicite Associates co- production with the NT, in association with HOME Manchester. A Pacifist’s Guide to the War on Cancer is a Dorfman Theatre show, commissioned by Complicite and supported by Neptune Investment Management. On stage at the National from 14 October to 29 November, the show contains adult themes and strong language. Tour dates include: HOME, 20 to 24 September, www.homemcr.org, Box Office: 0161 200 1500. Exeter Northcott, 28 September – 2 October, www.exeternorthcott.co.uk. Box Office: 01392 726363. A Pacifist’s Guide to the War on Cancer is supported by the Mirisch & Lebenheim Charitable Foundation. River Stage 2016 This summer the NT presents the River Stage festival, a free outdoor arts festival which returns to the National on the South Bank to stage the very best live music, dance, performance, DJs and workshops from partners across the country:  29, 30, 31 July: The Glory on the River Stage East London’s alternative establishment The Glory takeover the stage, led by Jonny Woo and John Sizzle. Get ready for a drag-packed tour-de-force of shows, DJs and fantastic spectacle.  5, 6, 7 August: Latitude Festival on the River Stage Latitude Festival is packing up its tents and venturing from Suffolk to the South Bank with a selection of its family-friendly acts. There is something for everyone in this exciting, eclectic line up.  12, 13, 14 August: Mayfest on the River Stage Bristol’s unique annual festival of contemporary theatre, Mayfest, brings a selection of unusual, playful and ambitious work to the River Stage.  19, 20, 21 August: Rambert on the River Stage Internationally renowned dance company Rambert is taking over the River Stage with a weekend of unique dance pieces from their wonderful, diverse repertoire. Book free for workshops for all ages and live music by Rambert musicians.  26, 27, 28, 29 August: National Theatre on the River Stage The final weekend will be a heady mix of music, dance, performance and an outdoor cinema screening giving everyone something to see and do on the August Bank Holiday weekend.

The Young Chekhov trilogy opened to overwhelming acclaim at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2015, and comes to the Olivier Theatre from 14 July to Saturday 8 October, offering a chance to explore the birth of a revolutionary dramatic voice. Anton Chekhov’s Platonov, Ivanov and The Seagull have been adapted as new versions by David Hare and will be performed by one ensemble of actors, directed by Jonathan Kent. The cast includes Anna Chancellor, Peter Egan, Joshua James and James McArdle (both nominated for Ian Charleson Awards for their performances), Nina Sosanya and Olivia Vinall. Set design by Tom Pye, costumes by Emma Ryott, lighting by Mark Henderson, music by Jonathan Dove, sound design by Paul Groothuis and fight direction by Paul Benzing. Each play can be seen as a single performance or enjoyed together, either over different days or as a thrilling all-day theatrical experience: Platonov – Schoolteacher Mikhail Platonov has a problem – he’s irresistible to women. Set in the blazing heat of a rural summer, this freewheeling comedy is a cry of youthful defiance against the compromises of middle age. Ivanov – Nikolai Ivanov is only 35, a radical and a romantic, but already he’s feeling that he’s thrown his life away. He hopes one last desperate romance may save him from becoming a small-town Hamlet. This electric play is powered both by hilarious satire and passionate self-disgust. The Seagull – On a summer’s day in a makeshift theatre by a lake, Konstantin’s cutting-edge new play is performed, changing the lives of everyone involved forever. Chekhov’s play is both comic and tragic, and marks the birth of the modern stage. Three Show Days – On 30 July, 3, 13, 20, 24 August, 3, 17, 24 September and 8 October audiences can see all three plays on the same day. Combined tickets available. The Plough and the Stars opens 20 July, in a production marking the centenary year of the Easter Rising. Sean O’Casey places a fixed lens to watch as a dozen vivid characters come and go – selfless, hilarious and desperate by turns – while the heroic myth of Ireland is fought over elsewhere. As the rebellion builds to a climax half a mile away, the disparate residents of a Dublin tenement go about their lives, peripheral to Ireland’s history. Howard Davies, who memorably brought Sean O’Casey’s The Silver Tassie to the NT stage in 2014, co-directs with Jeremy Herrin (This House and People, Places & Things). Designed by Vicki Mortimer, with lighting by James Farncombe, music by Stephen Warbeck, sound by Paul Groothuis and fight direction by Kate Waters, the run of The Plough and the Stars has been extended until 22 October. Bertolt Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera, regarded as a landmark of 20th-century musical theatre, currently playing in the Olivier Theatre and directed by Rufus Norris, has added further performances until 1 October. London scrubs up for the coronation. The thieves are on the make, the whores on the pull, the police cutting deals to keep it all out of sight, and Mack the Knife is back in town. In this vivid and darkly comic new adaptation by Simon Stephens, containing filthy language and immoral behaviour, Rory Kinnear plays Macheath. Part of the Travelex season which offers hundreds of seats for every performance from £15, the cast also includes Rosalie Craig, Haydn Gwynne, Nick Holder, George Ikediashi, Peter De Jersey, Debbie Kurup and Sharon Small. This production is supported by Travelex, with hundreds of seats at £15 for every performance, and by The Threepenny Opera appeal donors. This production is supported by Travelex, with hundreds of seats at £15 for every performance, and by The Threepenny Opera production syndicate. Helen McCrory and director Carrie Cracknell reunite to present Terrance Rattigan’s The Deep Blue Sea following their acclaimed Medea in 2014. When Hester Collyer is found by her neighbours in the aftermath of a failed suicide attempt, the story of her tempestuous affair with a former RAF pilot and the breakdown of her marriage to a High Court judge begins to emerge. With it comes a portrait of need, loneliness and long-repressed passion.

Behind the veneer of post-war civility is a brutal sense of loss and longing. The production is currently playing in the Lyttelton Theatre until 21 September. Sunset at the Villa Thalia, a new play by Alexi Kaye Campbell, spans a decade as it explores the impact of foreign influence on a nation and its people. It’s April 1967 and Greece is in political turmoil. Charlotte and Theo have retreated to a small island in search of peace and inspiration. But when they meet a charismatic American couple at the port they are seduced into making choices with devastating consequences. With a cast that includes Christos Callow, Sam Crane, Glykeria Dimou, Elizabeth McGovern, Ben Miles, Pippa Nixon and Eve Polycarpou, the production runs until 4 August. Sunset at the Villa Thalia is a recipient of an Edgerton New Plays Award.

Suhayla El-Bushra’s take on the satirical masterpiece The Suicide, by Nikolai Erdman, updates the setting to contemporary urban Britain, bringing hip hop, live music and fast- paced humour to the Lyttelton Theatre, in a production directed by Nadia Fall and with a cast that includes Javone Prince, Ayesha Antoine, Paul Kaye and Ashley McGuire. Things are getting tough for Sam; no job, benefits stopped and stuck in a tiny flat, the pressure is building and for Sam, it feels like there might be only one way out. Supported by Travelex, with hundreds of tickets available at £15, The Suicide runs until 25 June. National Theatre West End, UK and international touring The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Simon Stephens, based on the best-selling novel by Mark Haddon and directed by Marianne Elliott. Christopher has an extraordinary brain, exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched and he distrusts strangers. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes Christopher on a frightening journey that upturns his world. Suitable for 11-year-olds and over. Winner of 5 Tony Awards, including Best Play. Winner of 7 Olivier Awards, including Best New Play: WEST END: Gielgud Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue, W1 Booking to 18 Feb 2017. UK & IRELAND TOUR VENUES: The Lowry, Salford; Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury; Festival Theatre, Edinburgh; Grand Theatre, Leeds; Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury; Bath Theatre Royal; Mayflower Theatre, Southampton; Nottingham Theatre Royal; Grand Opera House, Belfast; Bord Gáis Energy, Dublin Theatre; Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff; New Theatre, Oxford; Bristol Hippodrome; Theatre Royal, Plymouth; Birmingham Hippodrome; Liverpool Empire Theatre; Alhambra Theatre, Bradford; King’s Theatre, Glasgow; and Milton Keynes Theatre. Assisted performances at many venues. Further venues and tour dates to be announced, see websites for details: curiousonstage.com/tour The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time ON BROADWAY: Barrymore Theatre, booking until 4 September. This House by James Graham – 1974, the UK faces economic crisis. In the engine rooms of Westminster, arcane traditions linger and a hung parliament looms. It's up to the whips to roll up their sleeves, and shepherd and coerce an unruly chorus of MPs within the Mother of all Parliaments. Following two sell-out seasons at the NT, Jeremy Herrin’s production will transfer to the West End this autumn after an upcoming run at Chichester Festival Theatre’s Minerva Theatre. WEST END: Garrick Theatre Charing Cross Road, 19 November 2016 – 25 February 2017. Jane Eyre: A co-production with Bristol Old Vic, Sally Cookson’s adaptation of Jane Eyre, devised by the Company and based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë tours the UK from April to September 2017. Tour includes: The Lowry, Salford; Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield; Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury; Theatre Royal, Plymouth; Mayflower Theatre, Southampton;

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh; New Victoria Theatre, Woking; Theatre Royal, Glasgow; Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury; Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff; Milton Keynes Theatre; Grand Theatre, Leeds; His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen; Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Further venues and dates to be announced. See website for details: janeeyreonstage.co.uk A co-production with Bristol Old Vic, Jane Eyre, devised by the Company, based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë. Tour begins April 2017: Aylesbury, Plymouth, Southampton, Edinburgh, York, Woking, Glasgow, Canterbury, Cardiff, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Brighton, Leeds, Aberdeen, Birmingham and Bath. War Horse: The National Theatre’s acclaimed production of War Horse, seen by seven million people world-wide, tours the UK from September 2017 to April 2018. Directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, this is a multi-award winning adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s remarkable story of courage, loyalty and friendship, about a young boy called Albert and his horse Joey, set against the backdrop of the First World War. War Horse features ground-breaking puppetry work by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, which brings breathing, galloping horses to life on stage. Tour includes: Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury; Empire Theatre, Liverpool; New Theatre, Oxford; Brighton Centre; Alhambra Theatre, Bradford; Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. Further dates and venues to be announced. See website for further details: warhorseonstage.com NT Live at a cinema near you this this summer In celebration of HM the Queen’s 90th birthday, on Thursday 9 June, NT Live will screen the record-breaking broadcast of the hugely popular West End production of The Audience. Written by Peter Morgan, directed by Stephen Daldry, and starring Helen Mirren in a multi- award winning performance, The Audience will return to cinemas across the UK this summer. The celebratory screenings will also feature an exclusive Q&A with Helen Mirren and Stephen Daldry filmed in New York during the play’s Broadway run. National Theatre Platforms, June – November 2016 An eclectic programme of talks, discussions and interviews at the NT:  Bella Merlin: Facing the Fear: An Actor's Guide to Overcoming Stage Fright, with Mike Alfreds, Catherine Loveday and Bella Merlin, chaired by Edward Kemp. Tuesday 7 June, Dorfman Theatre, 5.30pm.  Lucy Popescu: A Country of Refuge, with AL Kennedy, Marina Lewycka, Ben Miles, Roma Tearne and Haymanot Tesfa. Friday 10 June, Dorfman Theatre, 6pm.  Simon Stephens: A Working Diary. Rufus Norris and Simon Stephens on The Threepenny Opera. Monday 13 June, Olivier Theatre, 6pm.  National Debates: A new series of topical discussions inspired by the NT’s repertoire o Europe – in or out? With the EU Referendum fast approaching on 23 June, join Evan Davis and a panel of guests for a very national debate, discussing the benefits of remaining, the risks of exiting, and the potential impact of both on culture and industry in the UK. Guests include Carolyn Fairbairn (Director General of the CBI), Lord Kinnock (former European Commissioner and Labour Leader) and Dreda Say Mitchell (novelist, broadcaster and journalist). Tuesday 14 June, 5.45pm (1hr), Lyttelton Theatre, £6/£5. o Youth – culture & identity. Thursday 29 September, Dorfman Theatre, 6pm. Exploring the state of the young nation.  Simon Godwin and Alexi Kaye Campbell on the NT’s new production, Sunset at the Villa Thalia. Friday 17 June, Dorfman Theatre, 6pm.  Carrie Cracknell and Tom Scutt on the NT’s new production of The Deep Blue Sea. Tuesday 21 June, Lyttelton Theatre, 6pm.  Rory Kinnear on The Threepenny Opera, Monday 27 June, Olivier Theatre, 3pm.

 London Theatre in the 50s with Michael Billington, Julius Green and Dan Rebellato. Chaired by Rachel Cooke. Friday 1 July, Lyttelton Theatre, 6pm.  Two Artists in Conversation: Jeremy Deller and Rufus Norris. Turner Prize- winning artist Jeremy Deller and award-winning theatre director Rufus Norris discuss their respective approaches to creativity. Monday 11 July, Dorfman Theatre, 6pm.  Vicky Featherstone and Lee Hall on Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour. Vicky Featherstone and Lee Hall take to the stage to discuss this new musical and its journey to the NT from the National Theatre of Scotland. Thursday 1 September, Dorfman Theatre, 6.30pm.  Helen McCrory on her role as Hester Collyer in The Deep Blue Sea. Friday 2 September, Lyttelton Theatre, 3pm.  Join Sean O’Casey’s daughter Shivaun as she discusses The Plough and the Stars, her father’s politically important play. Friday 9 September, Lyttelton Theatre, 6pm.  Sue Laurie and Alexander Technique in the Theatre. As her memoir, Touching Lives, is published, Sue Laurie reflects on 30 years of learning, training and teaching the Alexander Technique – an integral part of the inner workings of the NT and RSC. Joined by guests including director Ian Rickson. Wednesday 14 September, Dorfman Theatre, 6.30pm.  Jonathan Kent on Young Chekhov. As the Chichester Festival Theatre’s trilogy of Chekhov’s Platonov, Ivanov, and The Seagull comes to the National, director Jonathan Kent discusses the productions. Thursday 15 September, Olivier Theatre, 6pm.  NT: 40 Years as a Space for Plays. On October 25 1976, the NT’s new building on the South Bank was officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen. Richard Pilbrow (Laurence Olivier’s lighting director and theatre consultant) is joined by Steve Tompkins (architect of the National’s redevelopment project, NT Future), and lighting designer and NT Associate Paule Constable, to celebrate 40 years of creativity and the practical experience of working in the NT’s theatres. Tuesday 25 October, Lyttelton Theatre, 6pm.  Bryony Kimmings on A Pacifist’s Guide to the War on Cancer. Bryony Kimmings, director of this Complicite Associates co-production, talks about the new musical as it arrives at the National. Thursday 27 October, Dorfman Theatre, 6pm.  Michael Longhurst on Amadeus. The director discusses his new production of Peter Shaffer’s play. Monday 31 October, Olivier Theatre, 6pm.  Staging Suez: the 60th anniversary of the Suez Crisis. A chance to explore the events of 1956 through the key plays that feature the Crisis, looking at theatre’s approach to it, and why it was a defining moment in British history. Playwright Howard Brenton (Never So Good) is among the guests in discussion with Daniel Rosenthal, illustrated with extracts from some of the plays read by NT actors. Tuesday 1 November, Lyttelton Theatre, 5.45pm, £6/£5.  David Hare and John Simenon on The Red Barn. David Hare discusses his new play, adapted from Georges Simenon’s novel Le Main, with John Simenon, who reflects on his father’s literary legacy. Monday 7 November, Lyttelton Theatre, 6pm.  A Poem for Every Night of the Year. Allie Esiri’s new anthology is a journey through a calendar year, highlighting key moments and dates with a poem for every night of the year, by writers such as Maya Angelou, Robert Burns, and Benjamin Zephaniah. Special guests including Helena Bonham Carter join her on stage for an evening of readings of some of the joyous, magical, dramatic and humorous poems in this journey through history and human struggle. Friday 25 November, Olivier Theatre, 5.15pm, £6/£5.

In Depth, In Context, In Focus Investigate the social, political and historical background of NT productions and the work of leading playwrights in more depth.  In Depth: Rattigan Returns, Thursday 15 Sept, 10.30am–4.30pm Dan Rebellato and other guest speakers get under the skin of the work of playwright Terrace Rattigan. Pricing: £45/£34.  In Depth: The Dublin Plays by Sean O'Casey, Saturday 24 Sept, 10.30am–4.30pm Focussing on the three O’Casey Dublin plays and led by James Moran with guest speakers, £45/£34.  Devising for Performance Explored, Wednesday 2 Nov, 10.30am–3.30pm A day exploring different approaches to devising performance, with contributions from Bryony Kimmings and members of Complicite. Pricing: £20/£10/£7.50.  In Context: Chekhov, the early work, Monday 26 Sept, 2–5pm Join Rosamund Bartlett with guest Michael Earley to explore Chekhov’s early plays particularly focusing on Ivanov, Platonov and The Seagull. £20/£15  In Focus: Cult Fiction on Stage, Monday 12 Sept, 5.45–6.45pm. Exploring the journey of cult fiction novels onto the stage in the UK. £6/£5.  In Focus: Theatrical Unrest, Friday 21 Oct, 6 - 7.15pm. Author Sean McEvoy explores the compelling tales of ten theatre inspired riots with a focus on the events at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin during the opening run of Sean O’Casey’s The Plough and the Stars in 1926. £6/5.

Connections festival celebrates 21 years as the world’s largest youth arts festival The National Theatre’s Connections festival celebrates the talent and passion of young theatre-makers. This year we mark the 21st anniversary of Connections, with 450 youth theatre companies and 10,000 young people from every corner of the UK, working with 45 partner theatres, who will perform twelve outstanding plays drawn from the 150 commissioned by the NT since the festival began. 12 companies will bring their productions to the NT, featuring plays by Davey Anderson, Simon Armitage, Lucinda Coxon, James Graham, Stacey Gregg, Carl Grose, Katori Hall, Jackie Kay, Bryony Lavery, Scott Graham & Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly, Patrick Marber, Mark Ravenhill, Snoo Wilson, Gary Kemp & Guy Pratt. The result is an unforgettable feast of theatre made by and for young people: Tuesday 28 June – Dorfman Theatre  19:00 What Are They Like? by Lucinda Coxon – The Barbara Priestman Academy  20:30 Blackout by Davey Anderson – Take Part Wednesday 29 June – Dorfman Theatre  19:00 Take Away by Jackie Kay - ACTS  20:30 The Musicians by Patrick Marber - Hall For Cornwall Youth Theatre Thursday 30 June – Dorfman Theatre  19:00 Bedbug by Snoo Wilson, Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt – Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School  20:30 Bassett by James Graham – Peploe-Williams Academy Friday 1 July – Dorfman Theatre  19:00 Eclipse by Simon Armitage – Oldham Theatre Workshop  20:30 It Snows by Bryony Lavery, Scott Graham & Steven Hoggett for Frantic

Assembly – Ilex Theatre (Hollyfield School) Saturday 2 July – Dorfman Theatre  19:00 Citizenship by Mark Ravenhill – Hove Park School  20:30 I’m Spilling my Heart Out Here by Stacey Gregg – The Young Pretenders Theatre Company Monday 4 July – Olivier Theatre  19:00 Children of Killers by Katori Hall – See & Eye (City and Islington College)  20:30 Gargantua by Carl Grose – Redbridge Youth Theatre Workshop To book Connections festival tickets, book here. Connections 21 is supported by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, Jacqueline and Richard Worswick, Susan Miller and Byron Grote and supporters of the Connections Appeal. New Views, the National Theatre’s playwriting programme and competition for 15–19 year olds

This year, students from 66 schools all over the country submitted over 300 short plays after being mentored through our New Views programme. The winning play will be produced in full and 8 shortlisted plays will be given rehearsed readings, all with professional casts and creative teams, at the NT in July. 2016 winning play announced 6 June. Performances and readings 6–8 July, Dorfman Theatre.

If you are interested in finding out more about the programme, or registering for New Views 2016–2017, visit new-views.tv

Learning events at the National Theatre this summer The Clore Learning Centre is a dedicated centre at the heart of the NT for people of all ages to get involved in theatre and learn about every aspect of theatre-making. There are courses and events for adults; workshops for families; and new programmes for schools and young people: all designed to inspire participants with the skills of our backstage production departments and the work on our stages. For families this summer at the NT: Throughout the summer holidays families can discover the skills and secrets behind productions at the NT with a range of theatre-making activities and workshops. Highlights include: Family Puppetry days, prop-making workshops and a brand new production for family audiences. Theatre First: The Story Fishers, created by Dom Coyote, Ted Barnes and Ruth Shepherd. Jump aboard Dom and Ted’s story fishing boat for a journey across the globe in search of a long-lost tale that needs to be told. A joyous medley of stories, songs and silliness, this interactive production is a perfect introduction to theatre and theatre making for children aged 5+. An interactive adventure for children and grown-ups. For schools and colleges, the programme includes:

Creative Choices Friday 17 June An insight into the range of career opportunities backstage and off-stage – from costume and props to marketing and front of house. Suitable for KS4+. Free event for London state schools.

Threepenny Opera Student Conference Wednesday 28 September A series of onstage talks and masterclasses exploring Brecht and The Threepenny Opera for KS5 students, with members of the company and creative team and academic speakers.

Make Theatre Days An active and exciting introduction to theatre-making and the backstage world of the National Theatre for Primary schools (years 4 – 6). Available throughout the Spring and Summer terms.

Free Front of House Exhibitions, open Monday – Saturday: Wolfson Gallery

 Making Connections, from 13 June Connections is the National Theatre’s annual festival of new plays for youth theatres and schools. This exhibition explores the beginning, journey and future of Connections celebrating 21 years of extraordinary professional theatre making with young people aged 13-19 years.

Lyttelton Lounge

 Celebrating Shakespeare at the National Theatre: 5 Hamlets Featuring recordings, props, designs, costume and more from the National Theatre archive and the five productions of Hamlet.