Program

national theatre February — August 2016

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One of many productions, As You Like It is currently on at the theatre.

The National Theatre often shows Shakespeare shows as well as new productions.

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about the theatre From its foundation in 1963 until 1976, the company was based at the Old Vic theatre in Waterloo.

The current building was designed by architects Sir Denys Lasdun and Peter Softley and structural engineers Flint & Neill and contains three stages, which opened individually between 1976 and 1977.

It is located next to the Thames in the South Bank area of central London. In addition to performances at the National Theatre building, the National Theatre company tours productions at theatres across the United Kingdom.

Since 1988, the theatre has been permitted to call itself the Royal

National Theatre, but the full title is rarely used. The theatre presents a varied programme, including Shakespeare and other international classic drama; and new plays by contemporary playwrights. Each auditorium in the theatre can run up to three shows in repertoire, thus further widening the number of plays which can be put on during any one season.

In June 2009, the theatre began National Theatre Live (NT Live), a programme of simulcasts of live productions to cinemas, first in the United Kingdom and then internationally.

The National Theatre pays great attention and detail to every set. Especially with Shakespeare productions the theatre strives to recreate these famous shows with new and modern approaches to the sets as well as costumes.

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cleansed

wonder.land

ma rainey’s black bottom

as you like it

the solid life of sugar water

the suicide

how to book Online Nationaltheatre.org.uk By the phone 020 7452 3000 Mon – Sat: 9:30 – 23:00 Sun: 12 – 15 on performance days

les blancs

waste

threepenny opera

In person South Bank, London, SE1 9PX Mon – Sat: 9:30 – 23:00 Other Friday Rush

£20 tickets are released online every Friday at 13 for the following week’s performance

the plays

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as you like it

êêêêê

‘Magical. Flock to this enchanted Arden’ Observer

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‘Revolutionary. Fresh, funny and invigorating’ Mail on Sunday

JAN Wed 13 / 7.30 Thu 14 / 7.30 Wed 20 / 7.30 Thu 21 / 7.30 Wed 27 / 7.30 Thu 28 / 7.30

by William Shakespeare With her father the Duke banished and in exile, Rosalind and her cousin Celia leave their lives in the court behind them and journey into the Forest of Arden.

There, released from convention, Rosalind experiences the liberating rush of transformation. Disguising herself as a boy, she embraces a

different way of living and falls spectacularly in love.

Shakespeare’s glorious comedy of love and change comes to the National Theatre for the first time in over 30 years.

Evening Standard Award-winner Rosalie Craig plays Rosalind.

FEB Wed 3 / 7.30 Thu 4 / 7.30 Wed 10 / 7.30 Thu 11 / 7.30 Wed 17 / 7.30 Thu 24 / 7.30 MAR Wed 2 / 7.30 Thu 3 / 7.30 Wed 9 / 7.30 Thu 10 / 7.30 Wed 16 / 7.30 Thu 17 / 7.30 Wed 23 / 7.30 Thu 24 / 7.30 Wed 30 / 7.30 Thu 31 / 7.30 APR Wed 6 / 7.30 Thu 7 / 7.30

created by Damon Albarn, Moira Buffini and Rufus Norris music by Damon Albarn, book and lyrics by Moira Buffini A new musical inspired by Lewis Carroll’s iconic story, wonder.land is a coming-of-age adventure that explores the blurred boundaries between our online and offline lives.

Aly is struggling with all the pressures of being a teenager: family, school, friends and her own insecurities.Then she discovers wonder.land – a mysterious online world where, perhaps, she can create a whole new life.The web becomes her looking-glass – but will Aly see who she really is?

Combining live theatre and digital technology in dazzling new ways, wonder.land is brought to life on stage by an extraordinary creative team.With stunning sets, costumes, video projection and lighting, and a score by Blur’s Damon Albarn, this is a musical like no other: an Alice for the online generation.

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‘Revolutionary. Fresh, funny and invigorating’ Mail on Sunday

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wonder.land MAR Mon 21 / 7.30 Tues 22 / 7.30 Mon 28 / 7.30 Tues 29 / 7.30 APR Mon 4 / 7.30 Tues 5 / 7.30 Mon 11 / 7.30 Tues 12 / 7.30 Mon 18 / 7.30 Tues 19 / 7.30 Mon 25 / 7.30 Tues 26 / 7.30 MAY Mon 2 / 7.30 Tues 3 / 7.30 Mon 9 / 7.30 Tues 10 / 7.30 Mon 16 / 7.30 Tues 17 / 7.30 Mon 23 / 7.30 Tues 24 / 7.30 Mon 30 / 7.30 Tues 31 / 7.30 JUNE Mon 6 / 7.30 Tues 7 / 7.30 Mon 13 / 7.30 Tues 14 / 7.30

‘Magical. Flock to this enchanted Arden’ Observer 11

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êêêêê

‘Revolutionary. Fresh, funny and invigorating’ Mail on Sunday

êêêêê

‘Magical. Flock to this enchanted Arden’ Observer

ma rainey’s black bottom

by August Wilson Chicago, 1927. In a recording studio on the city’s South Side, a battle of wills is raging.

Ma Rainey, Mother of the Blues, uses every trick in the book to fight her record producers for control of her music. Hardened by years of ill-treatment and bad deals, she’s determined that ‘Black Bottom’, the song that bears her name, will be recorded her way.

But Levee, the band’s swaggering young trumpet player, plans to catapult the band into the jazz age. His ambition puts them all in danger.

Inspired by the real-life Blues legend and infused with her music, August Wilson’s play speaks powerfully of a struggle for self-determination against overwhelming odds.

Sharon D Clarke plays Ma Rainey.

FEB Fri 5 / 7.30 Sat 6 / 7.30 Fri 12 / 7.30 Sat 13 / 7.30 Fri 19 / 7.30 Sat 20 / 7.30 Fri 26 / 7.30 Sat 27 / 7.30 MAR Fri 4 / 7.30 Sat 5 / 7.30 Fri 11 / 7.30 Sat 12 / 7.30 Fri 18 / 7.30 Sat 19 / 7.30 Fri 25 / 7.30 Sat 26 / 7.30 APR Fri 1 / 7.30 Sat 2 / 7.30 Fri 8 / 7.30 Sat 9 / 7.30 Fri 15 / 7.30 Sat 16 / 7.30 Fri 22 / 7.30 Sat 23 / 7.30 MAY Fri 6 / 7.30 Sat 7 / 7.30 Fri 13 / 7.30 Sat 14 / 7.30

support the national theatre The National Theatre is mission-driven to share its work with as many people as possible.We widen our reach through our large-scale Learning programme, touring nationally and internationally, and through National Theatre Live which broadcasts British theatre productions to cinemas across the world.We also broaden our audiences through keeping ticket prices low and opening seven days a week. National Theatre productions now reach a worldwide audience of 4.3 million.

While many people know that the National Theatre is one of the world’s leading theatre producers, not many know that it is also a registered charity. As such our enormously generous supporters help the National on its three stages and far beyond: On Stage & Touring, Learning, National Theatre Live & Digital Innovation, National Theatre Studio & Archive.The National Theatre’s current level of activity costs over £95 million each year and our Arts Council grant only makes up 17% of this.

Since 2010, the grant has been cut by £2.1m - a real term cumulative reduction of 25%.

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