Full Cast Set for Sam Mendes' King Lear; National Theatre Announces More Details for New Season
Britain’s National Theatre has announced further details of its November 2013 - April 2014 season, which includes Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes’ new production of King Lear at the Olivier Theatre, starring Simon Russell Beale.
King Lear’s opening date has now been set for January 23, 2014 with previews beginning January 14. Joining the previously announced Beale will be a cast including Stephen Boxer (as Gloucester), Cassie Bradley, Tom Brooke (Edgar), Richard Clothier, Jonathan Dryden Taylor, Kate Fleetwood (Goneril), Simon Manyonda, Anna Maxwell Martin (Regan), Daniel Millar, Michael Nardone, Gary Powell, Adrian Scarborough (Fool), Hannah Stokely, Stanley Townsend (Kent), Sam Troughton (Edmund), Olivia Vinall (Cordelia) and Ross Waiton. The production will be designed by Anthony Ward, with lighting by Paul Pyant, video design by Jon Driscoll, fight direction by Terry King and sound design by Paul Arditti.
Also announced is a revival of A Taste of Honey by Shelagh Delaney, which will be directed by Bijan Sheibanin and is set to open in the Lyttelton Theatre on February 18, with previews starting on February 10 . The cast includes Lesley Sharp and Kate O’Flynn. The production will be designed by Hildegard Bechtler with movement direction by Aline David, lighting design by Paul Anderson and sound design by Ian Dickinson.
Blurred Lines, a new play created by Carrie Cracknell and Nick Payne, written by Nick Payne, will begin previews on January 16 and open on January 22 at The Shed. The cast includes Marion Bailey, Michaela Coel, Bryony Hannah, Sinéad Matthews, Ruth Sheen, Claire Skinner and Susannah Wise. The production will be designed by Bunny Christie, with lighting by Lucy Carter, music by Stuart Earle, sound by David McSeveney and movement by Ann Yee.
Daniel Kitson brings his new show about a pre-recorded story, Analog.ue, to the Lyttelton Theatre for 12 performances between February 25 and March 20.