Frankenstein, which will feature Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternating in the roles of Victor Frankenstein and the Creature, begins performances Feb. 5, 2011, prior to an official opening Feb. 22 and 23, in the Olivier Theatre. It is written by Nick Dear, based on the novel by Mary Shelley. It is described in press materials as suitable only for ages 15 and above.
Odets' 1938 play Rocket to the Moon will be revived in the Lyttelton beginning performances March 23 prior to an official opening March 30. Odets is currently represented in the West End by a revival of The Country Wife. The play, which revolves around a dentist whose married, humdrum world is turned upside down by the arrival of a woman called Cleo Singer, is directed by Angus Jackson.
Greenland, which is described as a new piece of documentary theatre about uncertainty, confusion and the future of everything, is a new group play by younger playwrights Moira Buffini, Matt Charman, Penelope Skinner and Jack Thorne. It begins performances Jan. 25, prior to an official opening Feb. 1, in the Lyttelton Theatre. It is directed by Bijan Sheibani, with Ben Powers as dramaturg. The cast will include Michael Gould, Isabella Laughland, Amanda Lawrence, Tunji Lucas, Lyndsey Marshal, Peter McDonald and Rhys Rusbatch.
The Holy Rosenbergs, a new play by Ryan Craig who was previously represented at the National Theatre by the English version he wrote for Tadeusz Slobodzianek's Our Class, will begin performances March 8, prior to an official opening March 16, in the Cottesloe Theatre. Laurie Sansom, artistic director of Northampton's Royal and Derngate Theatre from where his productions of Spring Storm and Beyond the Horizon transferred to the National and won the TMA Award for Best Director, directs a cast that includes Henry Goodman, playing a big-hearted patriarch who clings to a deal that could save both his ailing catering firm and his cherished standing in the Edgware Jewish community. According to press materials, the play explores tribal loyalties, the culpability of family and the consequences of standing up for what you believe to be right.
It has also been announced that the current production of Hamlet, starring Rory Kinnear in the title role, with tour after its run in the Olivier Theatre, visiting Salford's Lowry (Feb. 8-12), Nottingham's Theatre Royal (Feb. 15-19), Woking's New Victoria (Feb. 22-26), Milton Keynes Theatre (March 1-5), Plymouth's Theatre Royal (March 8-12) and the Théâtre de la Ville, Luxembourg (Mach 17-18). Public booking by phone and online opens Dec. 1 for new productions during the November-April season. To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7452 3000, or visit ww.nationaltheatre.org.uk.
