Never So Good, a separately ticketed event – at £10 per ticket – will play on July 21, 25, 28-29 and Aug. 7-8, 11-13.

A Slight Ache will subsequently be paired with Pinter's later play Landscape — written in 1967 and first produced in 1969 — for a run of eight performances only, in rep from Sept. 13-Oct. 1, with tickets priced £10-£20. According to publicity materials, A Slight Ache takes an oblique look at a long-married couple, the irascible Edward and his frustrated wife Flora, in which the arrival of a statuesque silent stranger (Jamie Beamish) splinters their loveless marriage. In Landscape, a middle-aged couple describe the vital scenery of their lives in a series of monologues.

Beale and Higgins recently appeared together at the National in George Bernard Shaw's Major Barbara, which ended its run July 3. Higgins is also appearing this season as Jocasta in Oedipus, opposite Ralph Fiennes. Beale's other recent National Theatre appearances include Much Ado About Nothing and The Alchemist.

The plays are directed by Iqbal Khan, with set, costume and lighting design by Ciaran Bagnall and sound by Mike Winship.

To book tickets contact the box office at 020 7452 3000 or visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk.