London's National Theatre has revealed full casting for two of its upcoming fall productions: Ballet Shoes, a new stage adaptation of Noel Streatfeild's book; and Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest.
As previously announced, the latter is being led by West End and Broadway favorite Sharon D Clarke (Death of a Salesman; Caroline, Or Change) as Lady Bracknell, along with Richard Cant (Stan & Ollie) as Reverend Canon Chasuble, Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who) as Algernon Moncrieff, Amanda Lawrence (Angels in America) as Miss Prism, and Hugh Skinner (W1A) as Jack Worthing. Newly announced for the company are Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́ (Rain Dogs, Blues for an Alabama Sky) as Gwendolen Fairfax and Eliza Scanlen (Little Women, Sharp Objects) as Cecily Cardew.
Director Max Webster (Life of Pi) is reimagining Wilde's classic comedy, which will feature set and costume design by Rae Smith, lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by Nicola T. Chang, music by DJ Walde, and movement direction by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille. Casting is by Alastair Coomer.
Performances will begin November 20 in the Lyttleton Theatre ahead of a November 28 opening night, with the run continuing through January 25, 2025.
The theatre's holiday offering will be Ballet Shoes, adapted by Kendall Feaver. The story follows three adopted sisters learning about themselves and who they want to be, hopefully while learning a dance or two along the way. Performances will begin November 23 in the company's Olivier Theatre, with opening night set for December 5.
The cast will include Melanie-Joyce Bermudez as Petrova Fossil, Sonya Cullingford as Winifred, Jenny Galloway as Nana, Nadine Higgin as Theo Dane, Helen Lymbery as Doctor Jakes, Xolishweh Ana Richards as Ballerina, Sid Sagar as Jayan Saravanan, Grace Saif as Pauline Fossil, Josin Salinger as GUM, and Daisy Sequerra as Posy Fossil, along with ensemble members Eryck Brahmania, Cordelia Braithwaite, Michelle Cornelius, Courtney George, and Georges Hann.
Katy Rudd is directing, leading a creative team that includes scenic designer Frankie Bradshaw, costume designer Samuel Wyer, choreographer Ellen Kane, composer Asaf Zohar, lighting designer Paule Constable, and sound designer Ian Dickinson for Autograph. Casting is by Bryony Jarvis-Taylor.
Tickets for both The Importance of Being Earnest and Ballet Shoes are on sale at NationalTheatre.org.uk.
