Multi–award winning Antony Sher returns to the National to play the title role in The Captain of Köpenick directed by Adrian Noble in his first production for the National Theatre. This new English version of Carl Zuckmayer’s play, first staged in Germany in 1931, is by Ron Hutchinson and will open at the Olivier Theatre on 5 February.
The plot concerns petty criminal Wilhelm Voight who is released into 1910 Berlin after fifteen years in prison. Without papers things get desperate until he finds an old military uniform in a fancy-dress shop and suddenly the city is at his command.
Other members of the cast are Sandy Batchelor, Paul Bentall, Jason Cheater, Paul Chequer, Alan David, Robert Demeger, James Hayes, Barnaby Kay, David Killick, Siobhán McSweeney, Nick Malinowski, Anthony O’Donnell, Olivia Poulet, Iris Roberts, Nick Sampson, Adrian Schiller, Robin Weaver, Joseph Wilkins and Lynne Wilmot.
Anthony Ward will design, with lighting by Neil Austin, music by Steven Edis, movement by Sue Lefton, fight direction by Malcolm Ranson and sound by Mic Pool.
The end of January sees the opening of Port at the Lyttelton Theatre.
This story about two children growing up in deprived 1990s Stockport was first seen at the Royal Exchange, Manchester in 2002. It is written by Simon Stephens whose other plays include Morning, Three Kingdoms, Wastwater, Punk Rock, Seawall, and Pornography, and for the National Harper Regan and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which he adapted from the best–selling book.
Port will be directed by Marianne Elliott with designs by Lizzie Clachan, lighting by Neil Austin, music by Damon Gough (also known as Badly Drawn Boy) and sound by Ian Dickinson.
The cast so far announced includes John Biggins, Calum Callaghan, Jack Deam, Danny Kelly, Mike Noble, Kate O’Flynn, Katherine Pearce and Liz White.
Previewing from 23 February, This House will run in repertoire at the Olivier, following a sell-out run in the Cottesloe.
Gunnar Cauthery, Phil Daniels, Charles Edwards, Vincent Franklin, Christopher Godwin, Andrew Havill, Ed Hughes, Helena Lymbery, Lauren O’Neil, Matthew Pidgeon will reprise their original roles.
The NT's programme of Platforms also continues (details at www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/platforms); Fiona Shaw and Billie Piper will be talking to Al Senter in November and January respectively in In Conversation with… and the free exhibition of jewellery, silversmithing and printmaking, Dazzle, returns.
Later this month Take a View – Landscape Photographer of the Year 2012 will be in the Lyttelton Exhibition Space until January which segues into Echoes of a Vanished World: A Lifetime in Pictures by Robin Hanbury-Tenison which will occupy the Olivier Exhibition Space.
Away from the South Bank The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-Time transfers to the West End, the tour of One Man, Two Guvnors continues and National Theatre Live will broadcast The Magistrate, People and This House.
For information and public booking (open on 23 November) for the November–April season visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk or call 020 7452 3000. The brochure can be downloaded at www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/season. For NT Live venue information and booking details visit www.ntlive.com.