In a recent statement, Artistic Director, Rufus Norris said -
"We're both delighted and relieved to be reopening the National Theatre with the Olivier in-the-round season, which will allow us to present live work to as many people as possible while social distancing remains in place" said the National’s director, Rufus Norris.
“It is dynamically appropriate to begin the season with Death of England: Delroy, an extraordinarily important and timely piece of work by the hugely talented Clint Dyer and Roy Williams, and we are also proud and privileged to be presenting Dick Whittington this Christmas, helmed by the inspirational Jude Christian, Cariad Lloyd and Ned Bennett. Pantomime is an essential part of the living fabric of our nation, and it is devastating that so many theatres across the country have had no choice but to postpone their pantos this year because of the unprecedented financial impact of coronavirus. We’ll do all we can to keep the flame alive: brilliant theatre artists will serve up a slice of joy to families on the South Bank, and we’ll be asking everyone to support their local theatres by booking ahead for their 2021 pantomimes. Of course, we hope that it will be possible for theatres to perform safely to fuller audiences long before then".
The newly configured Olivier Theatre will host two productions with a socially distanced audience wrapped around the stage. In order to comply with government restrictions, audiences will be subject to staggered arrival times, while all tickets will be paperless and drinks pre-ordered. Tickets will be available as single seats, in pairs, or groups of three or four, while face coverings will also be required.
As Norris announced the venue will re open with Death of England: Delroy. Starring Giles Terera, the play is a follow-up to Death of England, which ran in the Dorfman earlier this year. It runs from October 21 to November 28
It will be followed by Jude Christian and Cariad Lloyd’s pantomime version of Dick Whittington, which first ran at London’s Lyric Hammersmith in 2018. It is directed by Ned Bennett and has been updated for 2020. Dates to be announced.
What took them so long?
Turning on my PC this morning, two very different unopened emails sit side by side demanding my attention.