The National Theatre General Thread

Rufus Stepping down Spring 2025. New person in place end of the year

I bet he was in his element revealing that lot.

Oyelowo is some film actor so very keen to see any stage work he does.
Michael Sheen going the full Welshie again .. tbh, I do hope he does Bevin justice and reigns it in here and there (a personal hero of moi)
Found Alexander Zeldin's work in the Dorfman pretty absorbing - particularly strong on dialogue.
Frecknal debuts in the Lyttleton .. almost inevitably, I guess.
Plus Harriet Walter - lovely, and Lindsay Duncan returns for the conservative commuter belt-ers.

New work, revivals, old faithfuls, and new stars, writing, directors ... he's covered a lot of bases, that's for sure. But who's going to be unhappy on social media ..

That is pretty damn impressive, I have to say. Sarah Frecknall, Michael Sheen, David Oyelowo, a relatively rarely performed Shakespeare, Lorca, Lindsey Duncan in an intriguing rediscovery, Harriet Walter, some possibly great new plays....including a Pulitzer winner 

All that, and Alexander Zeldin!

I was surprised to learn that Dear Octopus hasn't been revived in 57 years.

Was the role of Deputy Artistic Director advertised? 

Perhaps it was - I don't remember.   I have a real problem with public sector posts being invited rather than recruited.  It doesn't matter how talented the recipient is - other talented people are also available and should have the opportunity to put themselves forward.

Whilst this does look one of the strongest seasons under Norris, the balance is out for me.

I know he is more into new writing than existing texts, but this is meaning that the resources of the National are not being brought to so many genres of theatre.

Whoever replaces him has to deliver a more balanced programming ethos. Without that, plays that can only realistically be staged by a major subsidised company will not get professional productions ever again.

Luckily no one at all is saying the NT should only do revivals - not sure why you’ve even said that really ?

I thought they’d already wrapped up Death of England with a TV special or something?

Yes, on a closer look, there are only three revivals out of 12 announced shows:  Coriolanus, The House of Bernarda Alba, Dear Octopus.  A quick look at the National Theatre Story indicates that in the 90s and 2000s there were usually two-thirds revivals, more or less, and about a third new writing.  Whilst I agree that this year's new plays at the NT have been excellent and some of next year's look very good too, I would like more of the classic repertoire to play a role in the next AD's programming.  

As I've said before the NT, the Royal Court, the Donmar, the Hampstead, the Almeida, the Bridge all seem to be chasing the same playwrights. 

I believe that the National Theatre should stage a mixed, balanced programme of plays and occasional musical.

This forthcoming season is 75% new writing which, I think, is doing a disservice to 'old writing'

Personally I would prefer a 60-40 split in favour of existing scripts (including new translations of classics not in English)

That would still give a good number of high profile opportunities for current writers but also give audiences the opportunity to encounter a fuller range of plays from all periods each season.

No commercial producer is going to do lavish productions of pieces like London Assurance and many others. So we absolutely need our National Theatre to reflect the full breadth of plays both old and new.

I do think as long standards aren't slipping quality wise, the national should be doing more new writing than old.

Maybe invite new writers to adapt older plays as well for the modern day?

Some revivals are fine, but i could without another classic Shakespeare play at the national.