Details on new season at the National Theatre announced

The National Theatre has announced six new shows as part of its newest season, featuring a returning production of Brian Friel's Translations and full casting for productions later in the year.

Translations will return to the Olivier Theatre in October, after a critically-acclaimed run at the National last year. Ciarán Hinds will reprise his performance as Hugh, whose life is at risk when English and Irish cultures clash in a quiet community. Seamus O'Hara and Judith Roddy will also reprise their roles, with further casting to be announced. Translations will be at the Olivier Theatre from 15^th October until 26^th October.

Also in the Olivier Theatre is the London premiere of Kate Grenville's The Secret River has been adapted for the stage by Andrew Bovell, first performed in Australia. Audiences meet British convict William Thornhill who has been sent from London to Australia, planting a crop on land with ancient heritage belonging to indigenous people. Casting for The Secret River is yet to be announced, and the production will be at the Olivier Theatre from 22^nd August until 7^th September.

In the Lyttleton, Roy Alexander Weise directs 'Master Harold'... and the Boys by Tony Award-winning playwright Athol Fugard. Set during the South African apartheid, cultures clash and unlikely friendships are formed in a play that explores companionship. Lucian Msamati and Hammed Animashaun will play Sam and Willie respectively, with further casting to be announced. 'Master Harold'... and the Boys will play in the Lyttleton Theatre from 21^st September until 26^th October.

Following a previous run at the Bush Theatre in 2018, Jellyfish will play at the Dorfman Theatre. Asking what it means to love, the play follows the story of a first kiss, exploring topics including disability and relationships. Sarah Gordy, Penny Layden and Nicky Priest will reprise their roles from the Bush Theatre, with all performances taking place in a relaxed environment. Jellyfish will play in the Dorfman Theatre from 5^th July until 16^th July.

Dates have been announced for the stage adaptation of Andy Stanton's Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear - The Musical!, to play in the Dorfman Theatre. Bringing the storybook to life, follow nine-year-old Polly as she helps Padlock the bear escape from the villain, Mr Gum. The creative team includes music by Jim Fortune, direction by Amy Hodge, set and costume designs by Georgia Lowe, lighting design by Lee Curran, choreography by Fleur Darkin, sound design by Carolyn Downing, with casting to be announced. Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear - The Musical! will play in the Dorfman Theatre from 25^th July until 31^st August.

Full casting has been named for David Hare's adaptation of Peer Gynt by Henrik Ibsen. Titled Peter Gynt, the complete cast includes James McArdle, Tamsin Carroll, Jonathan Coy, Anya Chalotra, Caroline Deyga, Lauren Ellis-Steele, Oliver Ford Davies, Andrew Fraser, Guy Henry, Dani Heron, Ryan Hunter, Isabelle Joss, Lorne MacFadyen, Adam McNamara, Martin Quinn, Ann Louise Ross, Nabil Shaban and Jatinder Singh Randhawa. Peter Gynt is at the Olivier Theatre from 27^th June until 8^th October.

Further information has been announced for Simon Wood's newest play Hansard to be performed in the Lyttleton. Set in 1988, the play follows Robin, a Tory politician who can't seem to escape scathing comments from his wife, Diana. Simon Godwin will direct Alex Jennings as Robin opposite Lindsay Duncan as Diana. Hansard is in the Lyttleton Theatre from 22^nd August to 24^th October.

They will also run alongside the premiere of Small Island in the Olivier Theatre, Top Girls and Rutherford and Son in the Lyttleton Theatre and ANNA in the Dorfman Theatre.

^{Photo credit: Elliot Brown (Flickr)}