Platforms are all at 6pm and last for 45 mins. Tickets are £3·50/£2·50
unless otherwise stated.
James Macdonald on Exiles
14 August, Cottesloe
The director James Macdonald talks about his new production of James
Joyce's only play.
Howard Davies on The Life of Galileo
17 August, Olivier
Howard Davies talks about directing Brecht's epic play about social
responsibility, faith and science.
George Alagiah: A Home From Home
8 September, Cottesloe
George Alagiah was born in Sri Lanka, grew up in Ghana and moved with
his family to Britain in the 60s. A Home From Home is his moving
autobiography of the immigrant experience and the 'umbilical connection
with a place you have left over 40 years ago'. Booksigning
Vote by Ballot by Harley Granville Barker
13 September, Lyttelton
Written as a curtain-raiser in 1914, this carefully crafted one-act
comedy is an example of Barker's 'miniaturising' technique; a light
piece in the setting of local politics and on the themes of waste
and a secret life.
Leslie Phillips: Hello
21 September, Lyttelton
The long-awaited autobiography of the 'greatest living Englishman'.
He has featured in more British Number One box office smashes than
anyone else, with comic roles in the well-loved Carry On and
Doctor series. In his later roles in more serious films and
plays, and in this fascinating story, he highlights how different
he is in real life from his public image as a bounder.
Roald Dahl Day: Quentin Blake and friends
22 September, Olivier
In celebration of the inaugural Roald Dahl Day, a special appearance
by Quentin Blake, Dahl's principal illustrator and the first Children's
Laureate. He presents a unique insight, through talk and live drawing,
into working with Dahl. National Theatre actors perform a selection
of some of the much-loved work that they created together.
Brenda Blethyn: Mixed Fancies
13 October, Olivier
Born Brenda Bottle, she is one of Britain's finest character actresses,
famous for playing her roles with social realism, warmth and humour.
Told with sparkling wit and engaging honesty, Mixed Fancies
is the compelling story of her journey from the Plains of Waterloo
to the National Theatre and on to television, Hollywood and stardom.
Booksigning
Nicholas Hytner on The Alchemist
16 October, Olivier
The National's Director talks about his production of Jonson's comedy
of greed and gullibility.
Claire Tomalin: Time-Torn Man - A Life of Thomas Hardy
19 October, Cottesloe
Following her Whitbread Award-winning biography of Mary Wollstonecraft,
Claire Tomalin talks about her new study of one of the sacred figures
in English writing. She charts his life from illegitimate birth, rural
upbringing and escape to London to his status as a bestselling novelist
and, in later life, his supreme achievements as a poet. Booksigning
Conor McPherson on The Seafarer
30 October, Cottesloe
The acclaimed writer talks about his new play which marks his National
Theatre debut.
