The National Theatre have announced two new productions, and the booking dates of two previously announced productions, to be performed on all three South Bank stages this Autumn, as well as the UK and Ireland tour of The Ocean at the End of the Lane.

Lyndsey Turner will direct Arthur Miller’s The Crucible in the Olivier Theatre in September. A gripping parable of power and its abuse, this urgent new staging will see Brendan Cowell (Yerma) make his National Theatre debut as John Proctor, alongside Erin Doherty (The Crown, My Name is Rachel Corrie) playing the role of Abigail. Further casting includes Fisayo Akinade, Rachelle Diedericks, Nick Fletcher, Karl Johnson, Gracie McGonigal, Matthew Marsh and Eileen Walsh.

Following its revival in Cardiff in September, Wales Millennium Centre’s widely acclaimed stage adaptation of The Boy with Two Hearts will open in the Dorfman Theatre in October. Directed by Amit Sharma and adapted for the stage by Phil Porter, the play is based on the book of the same name by Hamed and Hessam Amiri. Drawing on extraordinary real-life experiences, it is a powerful story of hope, courage, and humanity – and a heartfelt tribute to the NHS.

The original cast of Afghan and Iranian performers will return to their roles, including Shamail Ali, Dana Haqjoo, Farshid Rokey, Ahmad Sakhi and Géhane Strehler as well as the award-winning Afghan vocalist and composer, Elaha Soroor.

Also going on sale is the previously announced Blues for an Alabama Sky by Pearl Cleage, directed by Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre, Lynette Linton, who makes her National Theatre debut. This startling play set in 1930 during the Harlem renaissance is about four friends whose lives and passions collide when a newcomer from Alabama arrives. Samira Wiley (The Handmaid’s Tale, Orange is the New Black) performs the role of Angel Allen, with Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo (Three Sisters) as Delia Patterson, Osy Ikhile (Sweat) as Leland Cunningham, Sule Rimi (Barber Shop Chronicles) as Sam Thomas and Giles Terera (Death of England: Face to Face, Hamilton) performing the role of Guy Jacobs.

The National Theatre’s new musical Hex returns to the Olivier Theatre for Christmas. a vividly original retelling of Sleeping Beauty, Hex is a mythic, big-hearted musical that goes beyond the waking kiss. Hex is directed by Rufus Norris, with book by Tanya Ronder, music by Jim Fortune and lyrics by Rufus Norris. Casting is to be announced.

Further casting has been announced for Simon Godwin’s production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing which will open in the Lyttelton Theatre in July. Set in the Italian Riviera at the fictional Hotel Messina, Katherine Parkinson (Home, I’m Darling) will play Beatrice, with John Heffernan (The Pursuit of Love) as Benedick in Shakespeare’s timeless romantic comedy, alongside Celeste Dodwell, Eben Figueiredo, Olivia Forrest, David Fynn, Ashley Gillard, Brandon Grace, Nick Harris, Phoebe Horn, David Judge, Kiren Kabili-Dwyer, Wendy Kweh, Ioanna Kimbook, Marcia Lecky, Ewan Miller, Mateo Oxley, Rufus Wright and Ashley Zhangazha.

Following a celebrated six-month run at the Duke of York’s Theatre in the West End, the National Theatre’s critically acclaimed adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane will tour the UK and Ireland later this year, visiting 29 towns and cities for a total of 40 weeks. This is the largest tour mounted by the National Theatre since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Featuring an ensemble cast of 17, The Ocean at the End of the Lane is directed by Katy Rudd and adapted by Joel Horwood. The first major stage adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s work is a thrilling adventure of fantasy, myth and friendship, which blends magic with memory in a tour-de-force of storytelling that takes audiences on an epic journey to a childhood once forgotten and the darkness that lurks at the very edge of it. Casting is to be announced.

National Theatre Live cinema audiences are invited to an early autumn escape to the Italian Riviera in Much Ado About Nothing, with Katherine Parkinson and John Heffernan, broadcast live from the National Theatre from 8 September. The season of comedy continues with Jack Absolute Flies Again by Richard Bean and Oliver Chris, a new version of Sheridan’s The Rivals, directed by Emily Burns. Caroline Quentin (Jonathan Creek), Laurie Davidson (Cats), Natalie Simpson (Three Sisters) and Kelvin Fletcher (Emmerdale) lead the cast, set for release into cinemas from 6 October.

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