Hodges has also announced the new season, which will include The Hudsucker Proxy, the world premiere of a stage adaptation of the classic Coen Brothers film. The theatre will also revive its hit production of Caryl Churchill's A Number, prior to a transfer to London's Young Vic Theatre.
In a press statement, Samantha Bond said of her new appointment: "I spent the most glorious nine months at the Nuffield Theatre in 1982-83. I am thrilled to now be an Associate Actor and look forward to supporting Sam Hodges and the Company at the beginning of their next 'awfully big adventure!' Happy 50th birthday!"
Tom Hiddleston added, "Sam Hodges has made an extraordinary habit of revolutionising theatre-making in my generation. He founded the HighTide Festival, a crucial platform for new writers to produce and present their first plays, and revitalised the Criterion Theatre in the West End with exciting new programming. His first season at Nuffield has been unerringly strong. The work speaks for itself. Nuffield feels revitalised with fresh, new creative ambition. It's going from strength to strength and I am proud to support it every step of the way."
The new season features four new commissions, including the world premiere of The Hudsucker Proxy, a new stage adaptation of the classic 1994 Coen Brothers film of the same name. The new play has been adapted by Simon Dormandy and will be co-directed by Dormandy and Toby Sedgwick, in a co-production with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, where it will transfer following its Nuffield run. It will run in Southampton May 4-30, 2015.
Also announced is the return of Michael Longhurst's production of A Number, which will run March 30-April 11, prior to a transfer to London's Young Vic Theatre. The theatre has also established a new partnership with Northampton's Royal & Derngate, which will see writers and composers co-writing new Christmas shows for the two venues, with comedy writer Georgia Pritchett paired with musical composer Dougal Irvine to write a fresh, irreverent and funny version of The Snow Queen for Christmas 2014.
Priority booking for Nuffield Friends and Members will open on July 14, with tickets on general sale from July 24. To book tickets and for further details, contact the box office on 023 8067 1771, or visit http://www.nuffieldtheatre.co.uk/.
