National Theatre new shows for 2023 confirmed

The National Theatre in London has announced its 2023 programme which includes three new productions and a revival Anupama Chandrasekhar’s acclaimed play The Father and the Assassin.

Jack Thorne’s highly anticipated new play The Motive and the Cue runs in the Lyttelton theatre, previewing from 20 April 2023 with opening night on 2 May. Directed by Sam Mendes the play is a behind the scenes look at Richard Burton and John Gielgud’s 1964 Broadway production of Hamlet. The piece will star Johnny Flynn as Richard Burton, Mark Gatiss as John Gielgud and Tuppence Middleton as Elizabeth Taylor.

Siobhán McSweeney (Derry Girls), Ardal O’Hanlon (Father Ted) and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (Translations) will star in Brian Friel’s Olivier Award-winning play Dancing at Lughnasa, directed by Josie Rourke it will open in the Olivier theatre in April 2023.

A new play by Deborah Bruce, Dixon and Daughters, a powerful story of family and forgiveness, opens in the Dorfman theatre in April. It is directed by Róisín McBrinn.

Indhu Rubasingham will direct Paul Bazely in Anupama Chandrasekhar’s acclaimed play The Father and the Assassin, which returns tot he Olivier theatre in September 2023.

Previously announced shows for 2023 include: Phaedra (Lyttleton theatre, 1 Feb – 8 Apr); Standing at the Sky’s Edge (Olivier theatre, 9 Feb – 25 Mar); Romeo and Julie (Dorfman theatre, 14 Feb – 1 Apr); and, Hamlet (Dorfman theatre, 20 Mar – 28 Mar).

Outside of London will see Shut up, I’m Dreaming, a new production by The PappyShow visit 55 secondary schools across the country from January 2023; the critically acclaimed stage adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane will begin its UK and Ireland tour in Salford this Christmas; new dates have been added of the US tour of Emma Rice’s Wuthering Heights and the UK tour of Laura Wade’s Home, I’m Darling.

The National’s current Winter season includes: Othello (Lyttleton theatre, 23 Nov – 21 Jan); Hex (Olivier theatre, 26 Nov – 14 Jan); and, Kerry Jackson (Dorfman theatre, 30 Nov – 28 Jan).