Donmar Warehouse has unveiled its upcoming season, the London company's first under the leadership of new Artistic Director Tim Sheader. Among the programming is a U.K. premiere of Dave Malloy's Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.

The musical, adapted from a portion of Tolstoy's War and Peace (with a book, music, and lyrics all by Malloy), will cross the pond in a new staging directed by Sheader and choreographed by Ellen Kane. Performances will begin December 7 ahead of a December 16 opening night, and the run will continue through February 8, 2025.

The U.S. Off-Broadway, pre-Broadway, and Broadway productions of the musical were famously staged immersively, in dramatically transformed theatres made to look more like a fantastical Russian bar. It's unclear if Donmar's production will follow that lead in its own black box theatre.

The production will feature music supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck, scenic design by Leslie Travers, costume design by Evie Gurney, sound design by Nick Lidster and Gareth Tucker for Autograph, and music direction by Sam Young. Casting, to be announced, is by Pippa Ailion for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting.

The season will open with a world premiere for Lindsey Ferrentino's new work The Fear of 13, running October 4-November 30 and opening October 10. Based on a real story, the solo play follows a young man convicted of murder who ends up petitioning the court not for an appeal but for an execution date. Oscar winner Adrien Brody will make his London theatre debut playing Nick Yarris, with Justin Martin (Prima Facie) directing. The production will feature scenic design by Miriam Buether, costume design by Brigitte Reiffenstuel, lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by Ian Dickinson for Autograph, video design by Ash J Woodward, and music and music direction by DJ Walde. Casting is by Anna Cooper.

Following The Great Comet, another world premiere will take the stage, Anna Mackmin's Backstroke. Tamsin Greig and Celia Imrie will co-star as a mother and daughter, the former recovering from a stroke as both are forced to confront their past. Performances will begin February 14, 2025, ahead of a February 20 opening night, and continue through April 12. The production will feature scenic and costume design by Lez Brotherston and lighting design by Paule Constable. Casting is by Anna Cooper.

The season will close with Samira Wiley starring in Lynn Nottage's Intimate Apparel, running June 20-August 9 and opening June 26. Lynette Linton will helm the new production of the 2003 play, which follows recent Donmar stagings of Nottage's Sweat and Clyde's. Wiley will star as Esther, a lingerie sewist who dreams of opening her own beauty salon—but when she picks up a romantic penpal, another dream of falling in love takes the fore. Donmar's production will feature scenic and costume design by Alex Berry, lighting design by Jai Morjaria, sound design by George Dennis, video design by Gino Ricardo Green, and music by XANA. Additional casting, by Anna Cooper and Lotte Hines, is to be announced.

The theatre is currently preparing a U.K. premiere of Dominique Morisseau's Skeleton Crew, which closes out the current season June 28-August 24.

Visit DonmarWarehouse.com for more.