The culmination of 10 years, including new work, world premieres, returning shows, expanded global reach and sector leading sustainability.
Rufus Norris today announces his final programme as Director, concluding his decade leading the organisation and creating a lasting impact for generations to come.
Top stories from today’s announcement include:
- Nine productions coming to the South Bank in 2025, including four world premieres.
- Adeel Akhtar, Arinzé Kene and Rosamund Pike make their National Theatre debuts.
- Tracie Bennett, Denis O’Hare, Rory Kinnear, Cherrelle Skeete, Michael Sheen and Juliet Stevenson return to our stages.
- Two National transfers with Dear England playing at The Lowry and Nye returning to Wales Millennium Centre.
- Audiences around the world are invited to ‘Take your Seats’ for a free stream of Nye on YouTube in November.
- The National Theatre Green Store opens in Bermondsey, marking the latest milestone on our journey to reach net zero by 2030.
- Our nationwide youth theatre programme, Connections celebrates its 30th anniversary.
Rufus also looks back on his tenure, in this interview with journalist Alex O’Connell.
Leading the creative powerhouse that is the National Theatre over the past decade has been a profound privilege. I am humbled by the commitment, dedication and passion shown day in and day out by the extraordinary people who have joined me in the mission to make the NT a representative, sustainable, world class theatre, reaching far beyond its concrete walls.
There is simply nowhere else like it on earth. I can’t wait to watch from the wings as it flourishes and grows for future generations to enjoy under the brilliant leadership of Indhu Rubasingham and Kate Varah.
Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre
Booking soon
Coming to our stages in Spring/Summer 2025. Public booking opens Wednesday 16 October. Members enjoy Priority booking from Monday 7 October.
Alterations
Here We Are
London Road
Nye
Further ahead
New shows coming up later in 2025. Booking will open early in the new year. Become a member to get pre-sale access to tickets.
Inter Alia
by Suzie Miller
Lyttelton Theatre, from Summer 2025
From the team behind Prima Facie, Rosamund Pike (Saltburn) leads the cast as an eminent High Court Judge forced to reckon her professional life and role as wife, mother, friend and feminist in Suzie Miller’s new play, directed by Justin Martin.
The Estate
by Shaan Sahota
Dorfman Theatre, from July 2025
Adeel Akhtar (Four Lions) plays an ambitious politician with his sights set on Number 10 when his father’s death brings questions about the family estate to the fore. Shaan Sahota’s debut play is directed by Daniel Raggett (Accidental Death of an Anarchist).
The Land of the Living
by David Lan
Dorfman Theatre, from September 2025
Directed by Stephen Daldry (An Inspector Calls), this remarkable new play by former Young Vic Artistic Director David Lan tells the story of displaced children following WWII. Cast includes Juliet Stevenson (The Doctor).
End
by David Eldridge
Dorfman Theatre, from November 2025
Every love story has a final chapter. David Eldridge (Beginning, Middle) returns to the National Theatre to conclude the final part of his critically-acclaimed trilogy, directed by Lyric Hammersmith Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordan (Romeo and Julie).
Take Your Seats
Nye
Watch free on YouTube | 7 – 11 November
Ahead of its much-anticipated return to the Olivier theatre, Nye with Michael Sheen will be available to watch for free on YouTube from 7pm GMT, Thursday 7 November, until 7pm on Monday 11 November.
Take Your Seats for a surreal and spectacular journey through the life and legacy of the man who transformed Britain’s welfare state. Written by Tim Price (Teh Internet is Serious Business) and directed by Rufus Norris (Small Island).
The free YouTube stream is brought to you by National Theatre at Home, and made possible by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
National Theatre Green Store
Today we also launch a new ground-breaking sustainability initiative, The National Theatre Green Store.
Embodying our ambition to reach net-zero as an organisation by 2030, the Green Store will house all our costumes, props and scenery in one space for the first time.
Since January 2024, all productions on our stages have been designed to meet the basic standards of the Theatre Green Book, with 50% of materials from recycled sources, and 65% going on to be reused in future productions.
Working together with other cultural organisations, the store will become a production hub for multiple subsidised London theatres, creating a circular economy of materials to collaboratively reduce our carbon impact.
Inspiring creativity in schools
30 years of Connections Festival
June 2025 will see our nationwide youth theatre programme, Connections, celebrating its 30th anniversary. Over the years, Connections has reached over 125,000 young people, with alumni including Rose Ayling-Ellis, Callum Scott Howells, Keira Knightley and David Oyelowo.
Five years of National Theatre Collection
National Theatre Collection celebrates its fifth anniversary this year and after reaching every local authority in the UK, has now expanded to New York public schools.
Touring to schools in 2025
Following last year’s secondary schools tour of Jekyll & Hyde, which reached 10,000 young people nationwide, 2025 will also see our return to schools with a tour of The LeftBehinds, a new play co-created by Bristol playwright Ross Willis and director Ned Bennett.
Celebrating ten years of incredible stories
The work on stage and the initiatives announced today exemplify the commitments driven forward by Rufus during his tenure, including developing new work, increasing representation on and off stage, working sustainably and reaching audiences nationwide.
In an interview with journalist Alex O’Connell, Rufus reveals some reflections of his decade at the helm of the National Theatre; from the biggest challenges he’s faced, to his proudest achievements in the role.