Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
The National Theatre, one of the most prestigious and influential cultural institutions in the UK, has revealed its summer 2024 season, which will be the last one programmed by Rufus Norris, who will step down as artistic director in 2025 after a decade at the helm. Norris, who has been praised for his bold and innovative vision, has curated a season that reflects his legacy and his commitment to diversity, excellence, and relevance.
The season, which runs from May to September, will feature four new productions across the National’s three theatres: the Olivier, the Lyttelton, and the Dorfman. The productions span a range of genres, from comedy to drama, and a variety of voices, from established playwrights to emerging talents.
The season kicks off with Boys from the Blackstuff, an adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s 1980s TV series, which follows a group of unemployed men in Liverpool during the Thatcher era. The play, which explores themes of poverty, class, and resilience, is adapted by James Graham, one of the most acclaimed and prolific political writers of his generation. Graham, whose previous works include This House, Ink, and Quiz, has updated the script to reflect the contemporary context and the parallels between the past and the present. The play, directed by Kate Wasserberg, will run at the Olivier Theatre from 22 May to 8 June.
Next up is Mnemonic, a devised piece by Simon McBurney and his theatre company Complicité, which returns to the National Theatre after 25 years. Mnemonic is a multi-layered and immersive exploration of memory, identity, and connection, inspired by the discovery of a 5,000-year-old frozen body in the Alps. The show, which combines storytelling, movement, and technology, will run at the Olivier Theatre from 22 June to 10 August.
The third production is The Hot Wing King, a comedy by Katori Hall, the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer of The Mountaintop and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. The play, which makes its UK debut, follows a group of friends who are preparing for the annual Hot Wing Festival in Memphis. But their plans are disrupted by a family emergency, which forces them to confront issues of love, loyalty, and identity. The play, directed by Roy Alexander Weise, will run at the Dorfman Theatre from 11 July to 14 September.
The season closes with The Grapes of Wrath, an adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel by Frank Galati. The play, which won a Tony Award for Best Play in 1990, tells the story of the Joad family, who are forced to leave their farm in Oklahoma during the Great Depression and embark on a journey to California in search of a better life. The play, directed by Carrie Cracknell, will run at the Lyttelton Theatre from 17 July to 14 September.
The summer 2024 season is a farewell gift from Rufus Norris, who has transformed the National Theatre during his tenure. Norris has championed diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, both on stage and behind the scenes. He has introduced initiatives such as the Public Acts programme, which involves community groups in large-scale productions, and the Smart Caption Glasses, which provide subtitles for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences. He has also expanded the National Theatre’s reach and impact, through live broadcasts, tours, and digital platforms.
Norris will be succeeded by Indhu Rubasingham, the current artistic director of the Kiln Theatre, who will take over in 2025. Rubasingham is an award-winning director and producer, who has worked with some of the most prominent writers and actors in the industry. She has also been praised for her work at the Kiln Theatre, where she has fostered a diverse and vibrant artistic programme that reflects the multicultural community of London.
The National Theatre’s summer 2024 season is a testament to the vision and achievements of Rufus Norris, who has left an indelible mark on the British theatre scene. It is also a celebration of the power and potential of theatre, which can entertain, enlighten, and inspire audiences across the nation and beyond.
