With razor sharp wit and humanity, Rock ‘n’ Roll catapults us into the wild months of the Prague uprising of 1968. It races through the years that follow, as future generations fight over what it means to be free, confronting sickness and death, while defending their dreams and love for the Rock music that shaped their lives.
Running time including interval: 2 hours 30 minutes
Content warnings: Strong language, sexual references, depiction of cancer
Age rating: 16+
No-one is lost for all time. Held captive by the nymph Calypso, Odysseus has all but given up hope of ever returning home. Back on Ithaca, her son Telemachus plots a rescue, and high above on Mount Olympus, the Gods convene to set her one final trial – a voyage to Hades, land of the dead. But high above on Mount Olympus, the Gods are convening to decide the fate of Odysseus, and if she should be allowed to return home to Ithaca. The Gods agree to release Odysseus, but first she must pass through Hades, the land of the dead, to finally reach home. To mark the fifth anniversary of Public Acts, The Odyssey is reimagined for today in an epic retelling with hundreds of community members across the country.
Who I am Is not A side effect. Hearts and minds racing, Connie and Tristan are falling for each other fast. But is their sudden and intoxicating chemistry real, or a side effect of a new antidepressant? As two young volunteers in a clinical drug trial, their illicit romance poses startling dilemmas for the supervising doctors. Jamie Lloyd (Cyrano de Bergerac) directs Lucy Prebble’s (Succession) funny and intimate examination of love and ethics. Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) plays Tristan and Taylor Russell (Bones and All) plays Connie.
It was my safest place. It was home. A powerful new verbatim play from the testimony of residents at the heart of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Six years on, interviews conducted with a group of survivors and bereaved reveal the impact of the multiple failures that led to a national disaster, asking: how do we stop this ever happening again? Created from these interviews by Gillian Slovo (Another World: Losing our Children to Islamic State), the play is co-directed by Phyllida Lloyd (The Donmar Shakespeare Trilogy) and Anthony Simpson-Pike (The P Word). Startling and deeply moving, it explores the courage and resilience of an ill-treated community and their continued campaign for justice. Grenfell: in the words of survivors is part of a multi-year programme of National Theatre creative activity in North Kensington, delivered in collaboration with local community organisations.
It’s time to change the game. The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t England’s men win at their own game? With the worst track record for penalties in the world, Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take team and country back to the promised land. Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale, The Mother) plays Gareth Southgate in this new play by James Graham (Best of Enemies, Sherwood). Following their acclaimed productions, Tammy Faye and Ink, he reunites with director Rupert Goold (Spring Awakening, Judy) for this gripping examination of both nation and game.
Everything you know about witches is wrong. Forget the pointy hats and broomsticks: they’re the most dangerous creatures on earth. And now they’ve come up with their most evil plan yet. The only thing standing in their way is Luke and his Gran. But he’s ten and she’s got a dodgy heart. Time is short, danger is everywhere, and they’ve got just one chance to stop the witches from squalloping every stinking little child in England. The Witches is a rip-roaring musical version of Roald Dahl’s timeless tale, filled with wit, daring and heart. With book and lyrics by Olivier Award-winner Lucy Kirkwood, music and lyrics by Tony Award-nominee Dave Malloy, and directed by Lyndsey Turner.
“To be free is very sweet” When one woman tells of her extraordinary journey to overcome the brutality of slavery, she becomes a beacon for the British anti-slavery movement. Born into slavery in the British colony of Bermuda, Mary Prince went on to become an auto-biographer and champion of freedom. Her book had an electrifying effect on the abolitionist movement helping to free many Africans in bondage. Through theatre, song, music, drumming and dance, this masterpiece of Black British theatre is inspired by the storytelling traditions of the West African griot. Amantha is luminous, agile, multi-faceted, witty and resplendent.” – Leys News
The world we once knew is becoming one we have yet to understand… Rooted in African and contemporary culture, ACE dance and music collaborate with two internationally acclaimed Black male choreographers Serge Aimé Coulibaly and Vincent Mantsoe. UNKNOWN REALMS evocatively shows us a picture of the world and what is happening NOW… Performed against dynamic multidimensional soundscapes by Andy Garbi and Yvan Talbot, two stunning contrasting works examine the past and present with consciousness and contemporary sensibility, six dancers rise from the ashes with powerful explosive dance that uncovers the rich history of lives lived; memories, human struggle and people letting go… An all-embracing, multi layered production that celebrates sheer mortality, perseverance and hope overcoming adversity.
An Underwater Musical Adventure! It’s time to make a splash and join Ariel; her father, King of the Seven Seas; Ursula, the evil sea witch, and a whole host of fabulous characters in this brand-new adaptation. Expect lots of fun, singing and dancing, all brought to you by a fantastic and energetic company of wonderful performers. Sparkling scenery, beautiful costumes and an exciting opportunity to meet the characters after the show, this is sure to be the family show of the year that you don’t want to miss! SCOTT RITCHIE PRODUCTIONS proudly presents this vibrant take on a classic and much-loved story.
“People will believe the most fabulous tale you can tell. It’s the one they secretly long for. It must be unprovable, impossible, fantastical.” Two young women arrive in a nameless British town. Their names are not their own. They have come from some trouble somewhere. They don’t declare their ages. Are they sisters, or are they mother and daughter? This dazzling play shifts from today to 1822, and then to both periods at once as fantasy reveals truths that we all recognise.
With razor sharp wit and humanity, Rock ‘n’ Roll catapults us into the wild months of the Prague uprising of 1968. It races through the years that follow, as future generations fight over what it means to be free, confronting sickness and death, while defending their dreams and love for the Rock music that shaped their lives. Running time including interval: 2 hours 30 minutes Content warnings: Strong language, sexual references, depiction of cancer Age rating: 16+
A former rock star inherits a derelict factory in Sheffield and wants to turn it into a thriving music venue. No, wait: her niece has inherited it, and has plans for luxury apartments. Hang on – it’s not derelict: it’s a working scissors factory with a big order from China. But why is its young workforce so skint? Part of a triptych of plays by award-winning playwright Chris Bush (Rock/Paper/Scissors), audiences are invited to experience Scissors uniquely blended with extracts from Rock and Paper, performed in this way for the very first time. This vibrant play asks searching questions about our cities and the future generations that will live in them.
Anita flees her home, haunted by grief and shame. Davey has witnessed something he can never forget. Tonight their paths will collide and their lives will change forever. Thrilling, heart-breaking, and at times darkly humorous, Philip Ridley’s powerful play examines the things we broadcast about ourselves and the things we strive to hide. Hate crime, prejudice and the redemptive power of storytelling come together in Ridley’s tense game of cat and mouse set in London’s East End. This modern classic proved to be a huge success when it premiered in 2000 and was a West End smash hit in 2007 & 2018. The multi award-winning playwright, Philip Ridley’s plays have become synonymous with some of the greatest pieces of contemporary theatre in the last century. Vincent River is now seen as one of the most powerful explorations of hate crime ever written. Directed by James Haddrell, Artistic Director of Greenwich Theatre Age recommendation 15+