Broadbent plays Edward Lionheart, a Shakespeare actor who sets out to murder the critics who savaged his career. Each is dispatched with a suitably Shakeapearean death scene.

As well as various British luminaries such as Arthur Lowe, Harry Andrews, Michael Hordern and Robert Morley, the movie also featured Diana Rigg as Edward’s daughter. The National has cast that role with Rigg’s own daughter, Rachael Stirling.

The show is a collaboration between the NT and Improbable Theatre (by special arrangement with MGM On Stage) – the company behind another grisly comedy, Shockheaded Peter. Theatre of Blood is by Phelim McDermott and Lee Simpson, who direct and associate direct respectively. Rae Smith is the designer, Colin Grenfell the lighting designer. Joby Talbot supplies the music, Terry King is the fight director, Gareth Fry the sound designer and Paul Keive the resident illusionist.

The cast also includes Gerard Bell, Paul Bentall, Bette Bourne,  Hayley Carmichael, Sally Dexter, Stephen Harper, Nick Haverson, Mark Lockyer, Tim McMullan, Rachael Spence, Steve Steen, Victoria Willing and Edward Woodall. Offical opening night is May 19.

For more information call (0)20 7452 3000.