Directed by Nicholas Hytner and the late Steven Pimlott, the classic work began previews March 19. The cast also features Sheila Ballantine, Sharon Bower, Nicolas Chagrin, Marilyn Cutts, Buffy Davis, Darrell D'Silva, Susannah Fielding, Stephanie Jacob, Katerina Jugati, Rosalind Knight, Andrew Langtree, Maggie McCarthy, Mac McDonald, Jules Melvin and Sadie Shimmin.

Director Pimlott, who had conceived and cast the production, died of cancer during rehearsals for Tattoo. Hytner, director of the National and a long-time friend of Pimlott, took over the production at that point.

The Rose Tattoo, according to press notes, "is set amongst the vibrant Sicilian community of New Orleans. All through the night Serafina (Zoë Wanamaker) craves her husband's return; at dawn, she learns he's been shot dead. For the next three years, she channels her fiercely passionate love into mourning, living on past glories while straitjacking her vivacious daughter, Rosa (Susannah Fielding). But an ugly rumour gathers force to contaminate her memories, just as Rosa turns rebel and an eye-catching truck driver (Darrell D'Silva) comes knocking at the door."

The production features designs by Mark Thompson, lighting by Peter Mumford, music by Jason Carr and sound by Paul Groothuis.

Wanamaker was previously seen at the National in His Girl Friday, Battle Royal and The Crucible. She recently appeared at New York's Lincoln Center in Awake and Sing!, earning a Tony nomination for her performance. Other credits include Donmar productions of The Boston Marriage and the title role in Electra, for which she won an Olivier Award for Best Actress. The Rose Tattoo is part of the National's Travelex £10 Season, where two-thirds of all tickets are priced at £10; the remaining seats cost £27.50.

For more information about The Rose Tattoo, call (0)207 7452 3000.