Filming, due to take place this month, follows the success of Romeo and Juliet, which was filmed in the Lyttelton Theatre and broadcast on Sky Arts and PBS in April.
The new film will be the third in the Death of England trilogy, and follows Michael and Delroy (the main characters in the Death of England and Death of England: Delroy plays respectively) after the birth of Delroy’s child and Michael’s niece.
Utopia‘s Neil Maskell will star as Michael, replacing Rafe Spall from the original play, while Giles Terera (Hamilton) – who was due to play Delroy in the stage production – will finally take up the role.
The production will be broadcast later this year.
The announcement came as the National Theatre launches its ‘National Theatre Together’ campaign, which highlights “the importance of creativity and collaboration”.
Rufus Norris, the theatre’s director and joint chief executive, said: “Theatre is a world-class UK industry, and brings with it a bucket-load of economic and social benefits. The National Theatre has a crucial role to play in supporting the nation’s creativity; it’s an incredible place full of amazing people and elicits enormous affection, pride and passion in audiences around the world.
“National Theatre Together celebrates the work we create with theatre-makers and communities, for young people and audiences – and asks our friends to once again stand with us and equip us to do what we do best: shape a bright, creative future for this nation.”
New programming has also been announced by the National, with Kae Tempest’s Philoctetes, directed by Ian Rickson (Walden), taking to the Olivier Theatre in August after Under Milk Wood, starring Michael Sheen.
This will be followed by The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer, directed by Dominic Cooke; Hex, a musical based on Sleeping Beauty directed by Norris and The Father and the Assassin, by Anupama Chandrasekhar, opening in early 2022.
Meanwhile, in the Dorfman Theatre, Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre’s production of Rockets and Blue Nights – which was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic last year – will run from 25 August to 9 October. This will be followed by Alice Childress’ Trouble in Mind in December and Our Generation by Alecky Blythe in February.
The Lyttelton Theatre will reopen in October with East is East by Ayub Khan Din, while Manor – previously announced for April 2020 – will open in November.
Emma Rice’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights will open in February 2022, and The Corn is Gren by Emlyn Williams will run from April 2022.
Touring productions will be The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and The Ocean at the End of the Lane and Beginning, while The Lehman Trilogy and Hadestown will return to Broadway.
Follies will return to cinemas, while the Bridge Theatre’s A Midsummer Night Dream and The Old Vic’s All My Sons will launch on the National Theatre’s streaming service, National Theatre At Home. Nina Raine’s Consent will now be available with audio description.
More information about the season can be found on the National Theatre’s website.
Photo: Helen Murray.
Liam O'Dell 