NT Talks

Michael Billington reflects on almost 50 years and some 10,000 reviews as he steps down as the Guardian's chief theatre critic. Michael is introduced by Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre. A number of guests including actors Penelope Wilton, Simon Russell Beale, Aisling Loftus and Oliver Ford Davies read from some of Michael's favourite plays.

Katy Rudd (The Almighty, Royal Exchange; Associate Artist, Elliott & Harper Productions) and Joel Horwood (I Want My Hat Back, National Theatre; The Little Mermaid, Bristol Old Vic) discuss their new production of Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Chaired by playwright and academic, Dan Rebellato.

Writer Inua Ellams and Director Nadia Fall discuss their new production of Three Sisters. Chaired by Louisa Uchum Egbunike, Lecturer in English at City, University of London, Curator of the Legacies of Biafra touring exhibition and Co-Convenor of the Annual Igbo Conference.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane is the bestselling magical novel from the brilliant imagination of Neil Gaiman. Join Gaiman as he chats to Lenny Henry about writing this modern myth, where his inspiration came from, and what it's like to have his novel adapted for the stage.

Lindsay Duncan and Alex Jennings reflect on the challenges and rewards of performing in Hansard. Chaired by David Benedict.

Director Rufus Norris and Adapter Helen Edmundson reflect on their production of Small Island. Chaired by Brenda Emmanus.

Join legendary theatre-maker Peter Brook (‘our greatest living director’, Independent) as he speaks to Mark Lawson to discuss his new book Playing by Ear: Reflections on Music and Sound, which explores the role of music in the theatre and revisits some of the best-known productions from his long and distinguished career.

Director Simon Godwin (Antony & Cleopatra, Man + Superman) and writer Simon Woods reflect on their new production of Hansard

David Hare and Jonathan Kent (the partnership behind Young Chekhov) speak about the processes of making their new production. Hosted by Georgina Godwin

James McArdle (Platonov, Angels in America) reflects on the challenges and rewards of creating and playing Peter Gynt. Hosted by Georgina Godwin.

Director Polly Findlay (Beginning, As You Like It, Treasure Island) discusses her new production of Rutherford and Son with Fiona Mountford.

Director Polly Findlay (Beginning, As You Like It, Treasure Island) discusses her new production of Rutherford and Son with Fiona Mountford.

Actor Roger Allam (Les Miserables, The Thick of It) reflects on the challenges and rewards of playing John Rutherford in the new production of Rutherford and Son.

Join the director and writer as they reflect on their production of Downstate, with Rana Mitter.

Writer David Hare reflects on his new play I’m Not Running, chaired by Helen Lewis. David Hare is a playwright and film-maker. Hare first worked at the National Theatre in 1971. Seventeen of his plays have since been presented there including Plenty, Pravda (with Howard Brenton), The Secret Rapture, Racing Demon, Murmuring Judges, Skylight, Amy’s View, Stuff Happens, The Absence of War, Behind the Beautiful Forevers and The Red Barn. Film and TV includes Collateral, Licking Hitler, Dreams of Leaving, Saigon: Year of the Cat, Wetherby, Damage, The Hours, The Reader, and the Worricker Trilogy: Page Eight, Turks & Caicos and Salting the Battlefield.

Join the director and writer as they reflect on their production of Hadestown. Rachel Chavkin is a director, dramaturg and sometime writer, and the founding Artistic Director of the TEAM (teamplays.org). Anaïs Mitchell is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Mitchell has released six albums including Hadestown (2010), Young Man in America (2012) and Child Ballads (2013).

Join renowned playwrights Alecky Blythe (London Road, Little Revolution), Howard Brenton (Pravda, Never So Good), Natasha Gordon (Nine Night), and Conor McPherson (The Weir, Girl from the North Country) and publisher Nick Hern, to explore how playwriting has – and hasn’t – changed over the past 30 years. Chaired by Emily McLaughlin (Head of New Work, National Theatre). What new trends and themes have emerged in the last three decades? What changes have occurred in the way plays reach the stage? And where might playwriting, and theatre, go in the future?

Jacques Lecoq was one of the major figures of Western theatre in the second half of the 20th century, known especially for his teaching of movement, play, improvisation, masks, language, comedy, and tragedy. This event explores this legacy with an overview and analysis of Lecoq's life, work and philosophy of theatre, and looks at Lecoq’s influence on prominent performers and directors currently working in contemporary theatre in the UK. With contributions from Mark Evans, author and co-editor of The Routledge Companion to Jacques Lecoq; Leah Hausman, choreographer and movement director; actor Toby Jones; and Simon Murray, author and academic, Jacques Lecoq (Routledge Practitioners). Chaired by Clare Brennan, theatre critic for The Observer.

An event to celebrate the publication of Dramatic Exchanges: The Lives and Letters of the National Theatre selected and edited by Daniel Rosenthal. With contributions from the author and readings from actors with the NT company including Tim McMullan, Gloria Obianyo, Nadia Williams and Owen Findlay.

Dying and death is something we will all experience in our lifetime: the loss of a loved one, fear of dying or perhaps trying to extend our lives. Malika Booker, Rachel Clarke and Tony Walter explore different perspectives on dying. Malika Booker is a British Caribbean writer, Her collection Pepper Seed was published by Peepal Tree Press in 2013 and The Penguin Modern Poets Series 3 in 2017. She is currently a LHRI Fellow at Leeds University where she is conducting a creative research project gathering memories and anecdotes about Caribbean funerals, wakes and nine nights. Rachel Clarke is a current NHS doctor, former television journalist and author of Your Life in My Hands. She works in palliative medicine, believing that helping patients at the end of life experience the best quality life possible, is priceless. Professor Tony Walter is a sociologist who works with the University of Bath's Centre for Death & Society. He has written and lectured on diverse aspects of death in the modern world. His latest book is What Death Means Now (Policy Press).

Patrick Marber talks about his new production, Exit the King, with Rachel Cooke. Patrick Marber’s plays for the National Theatre include Dealer’s Choice, Closer, The Red Lion, Three Days in the Country, The Beaux’ Stratagem, and Hedda Gabler.

The director and writer reflect on their production of An Octoroon. Ned Bennett directed Pomona at the Orange Tree Theatre, National Theatre and Royal Exchange; The Crocodile at the Manchester International Festival and Yen at the Royal Court and the Royal Exchange. He won the UK Theatre Award for Best Director for Pomona and Yen Branden Jacobs-Jenkins won the 2014 Obie Award for Best New American Play for Appropriate and An Octoroon. He was a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Gloria, and was named a MacArthur Fellow in 2016.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the end of stage censorship in Britain, theatre historians and NT actors explore the NT plays which would have been banned by the Lord Chamberlain's Office if state control of plays had not been abolished by the Theatres Act in September 1968.

Join the director as he reflects on his production of Antony & Cleopatra, with Fiona Mountford.

Join the director as he reflects on his production of Translations, chaired by Tanya Seghatchian. Ian Rickson was artistic director of the Royal Court Theatre from 1998 to 2007. Recent West End work includes Jerusalem, Betrayal, Mojo, The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? and The Birthday Party.

Kate Fleetwood reflects on the challenges and rewards of performing the roles of Christine Foskett in Absolute Hell. Kate Fleetwood was in King Lear, Ugly Lies the Bone, 50 Years on Stage, London Road and Love’s Labour’s Lost at the NT, and Macbeth and Medea in the West End.

A panel discussion with contributions from artist Larry Achiampong, writer and academic Margaret Byron, Matthew Ryder (Deputy Mayor for Social Integration, Social Mobility, Community Engagement), Sharon Watson (Artistic Director, Phoenix Dance Theatre) and chaired by presenter Brenda Emannus which explores issues of race, immigration and culture: exploring immigration in and before the 1940's with SS Empire Windrush and the continuing impact in contemporary arts and culture in the UK. An event inspired by the new production of Nine Night by Natasha Gordon.

The Arden Shakespeare has released a new series, Arden Performance Editions, specially annotated to help actors, directors and students in the rehearsal and classroom. Join series editors Abigail Rokison-Woodall and Simon Russell Beale to discuss the perks, pitfalls and practicalities of bringing Shakespeare’s plays off the page and on to the stage.

Anne-Marie Duff and Rory Kinnear reflect on the challenges and rewards of playing Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, chaired by Tazeen Ahmad. Anne-Marie Duff’s work at the NT includes King Lear, Saint Joan, Husbands and Sons, and War and Peace. Rory Kinnear’s work at the NT includes Othello (Olivier Award for Best Actor), The Threepenny Opera, Last of the Haussmans and Hamlet.

The writer and director discuss their production of Nine Night. Natasha Gordon is a London-born actress and writer of Jamaican descent. She has performed at Tricycle Theatre, Royal Court, Young Vic and RSC. Nine Night is her first play. Roy Alexander Weise won the James Menzies-Kitchen Young Director award in 2016 and his credits include The Mountaintop at the Young Vic, Dead Don’t Floss at the NT, The Ugly One at Park Theatre and Primetime at the Royal Court.

A panel event to launch Oberon’s new book Reasons to be Graeae, celebrating the first 38 years of the UK’s first disabled-led theatre company. Several of the books contributors including Jenny Sealey, Jack Thorne, Alison Halstead, Nicola Miles-Wildin, Rufus Norris and Daryl Beeton* will be talking about their involvement with Graeae over the last four decades, as well as taking questions. To read the transcript of this event visit: http://graeae.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Graeae-Launch-260418-draft-note.pdf

Number 1 bestselling crime-writer Jo Nesbo (The Snowman, The Thirst) discusses his gripping new thriller, Macbeth, on the eve of its publication. Chaired by Rosie Goldsmith.

The actors reflect on the challenges and rewards of performing the roles of Mozart and Salieri in Amadeus.

To mark the publication of his new book, Year of the Mad King: The Lear Diaries, Antony Sher will be discussing his experiences of returning to Shakespeare’s King Lear after more than 30 years to perform the title role. Sher kept a diary, capturing every step of his personal and creative journey to opening night. Year of the Mad King: The Lear Diaries is Sher’s account of researching, rehearsing and performing one of Shakespeare's greatest roles. His honest, illuminating and witty commentary provides an intimate, first-hand look at the development of his Lear and the production as a whole. Chaired by Sue MacGregor.

Studies show that mainstream and social media influence our daily decisions; what to buy, how to vote and even how to treat people or view society. We're increasingly relying on social networks as our source of news – is this trend reducing the power and influence of owners of the major news outlets? A panel discusses what can be done to reduce the impact of fake news, and ensure reporting is unbiased; leaving consumers, voters and viewers to form their own opinions. Panellists include Claire Fox (Academy of Ideas), Janine Gibson (Buzzfeed), and Fatima Manji (Channel 4), chaired by Tazeen Ahmad.

A conversation exploring recent influences and shifts in writing for musical theatre, and looking forward to the future of the genre. Speakers include Anthony Drewe, Victoria Saxton and Sevan Tavoukdijan, chaired by Adam Lenson.

1606, while a very good year for Shakespeare (he wrote Macbeth, King Lear and Antony and Cleopatra), was a fraught one for England. The plague had returned. There was resistance to the new king's desire to turn England and Scotland into a united Britain. Fear and uncertainty across the land exposed deep divisions in the aftermath of a failed terrorist attack that came to be known as the Gunpowder Plot. Join James Shapiro to explore how Shakespeare’s plays responded to the tumultuous events of 1606. James Shapiro, who teaches English at Columbia University in New York, is author of several books, including 1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare (winner of the BBC4 Samuel Johnson Prize in 2006), 1606: William Shakespeare and the Year of Lear, as well as Contested Will: Who Wrote Shakespeare? He also serves on the Board of the Royal Shakespeare Company. This talk will be chaired by Mark Lawson.

Writer Dennis Kelly reflects on his role in the National Theatre's production of Pinocchio. Chaired by Rosie Goldsmith.

Join the director and designer as they reflect on their new production of John. Chaired by Dan Rebellato. Chloe Lamford’s work spans theatre, installation, music and opera nationally and internationally. She is associate designer at the Royal Court, and regularly designs for the National Theatre and the Young Vic, amongst others. Recent designs for NT include Amadeus and Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour. James Macdonald was associate and deputy director of the Royal Court (1992 – 2006), and has directed productions at Donmar Warehouse, Almeida, Hampstead Theatre, Royal Court, in the West End, and in New York he has worked for Public Theater, Lincoln Center, NYTW and for MTC on Broadway. For NT has directed Dido Queen of Carthage, The Hour We Knew Nothing Of Each Other and Exiles.

Set and Costume Designer and Puppet Co-designer Bob Crowley (The History Boys), Puppetry Director and Puppet Co-designer Toby Olié (War Horse) and Director John Tiffany (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) reflect on their new production of Pinocchio. Chaired by Kate Bassett.

The actors reflect on the challenges and rewards of performing in Follies, chaired by Clemency Burton-Hill. Josephine Barstow has performed in opera houses across the world alongside artists such as Domingo and Pavarotti, and under the baton of Solti and Karajan. Tracie Bennett originated the roles of Laura Henderson in Mrs Henderson Presents, Judy Garland in End of the Rainbow and has won Olivier awards for her performances in She Loves Me and Hairspray.

Ian Hislop, editor of Private Eye looks back on 2017 with regular guests Craig Brown, Lewis Macleod, Jan Ravens and John Sessions. Private Eye is a British fortnightly satirical and current affairs news magazine, founded in 1961. It is published in London and has been edited by Ian Hislop since 1986.

Matt Lucas, one of Britain's best-loved comedians and actors, speaks about his memoir. Chaired by comedy historian Robert Ross.

Following the success of A Poem for Every Night of the Year (Independent Bookshop Week Award 2017) Allie Esiri’s new anthology, A Poem for Every Day of the Year is a journey through a calendar year, highlighting key moments and dates with a poem for every day, by writers such as Keats, W H Auden, Maya Angelou and Kate Tempest. An inspiring evening of readings of some of the magical and humorous poems in this journey through history and human experience. Read by actors including Adjoa Andoh, Joanna Lumley, Stephen Mangan, Helen McCrory, Simon Russell Beale and Samuel West.

A panel explores how class affects our chosen path in life, and how easy is it to break out of the social hierarchy. Is the class system still relevant in 21st-century Britain? The National Theatre presents a debate inspired by the production of Saint George and the Dragon. Speakers include Dawn Foster (author of Lean Out), Abid Hussain (Director of Diversity, Arts Council England), David Lammy MP, Mike Savage (Martin White Professor of Sociology, LSE), and chaired by Guardian joint Political Editor Anushka Asthana.

Join writer David Eldridge and director Polly Findlay as they reflect on their production of Beginning. Chaired by Dan Rebellato.

Dominic Cooke discusses his work as director on Stephen Sondheim’s Follies for the Olivier stage in 2017.

Actors Nadia Clifford and Tim Delap discuss the challenges and rewards of playing Jane Eyre and Rochester in Jane Eyre. Chaired by Sarfraz Manzoor.

London is the theatre capital of the world. From world-famous musicals to West End shows, from cutting-edge plays to Shakespeare in its original staging, from outdoor performance to intimate fringe theatre, the range and quality is unsurpassed. Critic Michael Coveney and photographer Peter Dazeley will be joined by Mark Rylance and Rosemary Squire as they discuss some of the 46 theatres profiled in their new book London Theatres published by Frances Lincoln, with stories of the architecture, productions and personalities that have defined these buildings. Chaired by Rachel Tackley.

One of the world's best-known theatre directors discusses his new book Tip of the Tongue and his work in the arts, chaired by Richard Eyre. In Tip of the Tongue, Peter Brook takes a charming, playful and wise look at topics such as the subtle, telling differences between French and English and the many levels on which we can appreciate the works for Shakespeare. Brook also revisits his seminal concept of the 'empty space', considering how theatre - and the world - have changed over the span of his long and distinguished career.

The actors reflect on the challenges and rewards of performing in Follies, chaired by Matt Wolf. Philip Quast originated the role of Javert in Les Misérables (Australia), and played Georges Seurat in the National Theatre’s production of Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George. Quast has won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical three times – the most of any actor to date. Janie Dee originated the role of Jacie Triplethree in Ayckbourn’s Comic Potential, a role written ‘with Janie in mind’, and won multiple awards for it. At the NT, Dee has played Julie in Johnny on a Spot, Helen of Troy in The Women of Troy, and won an Olivier Award for her performance in Carousel.