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Ralph Fiennes will return to the National Theatre stage early next year in a revival of George Bernard Shaw‘s Man and Superman.
In Shaw’s 1903 philosophical comedy, a twist on the Don Juan story, Fiennes will play John Tanner, an eloquent revolutionary who goes to great lengths to avoid the determined marriage overtures of his recently orphaned ward. Directed by Simon Godwin, the production will open in February 2015 at the National’s Lyttleton Theatre.
Fiennes previously appeared on the National stages in productions of Ting Tang Mine, Six Characters in Search of an Author, The Talking Cure and most recently, Oedipus in 2008.
Currently on screens in Wes Anderson‘s The Grand Budapest Hotel and in the Charles Dickens bio-drama The Invisible Woman, which he also directed, Fiennes is expected to return as British intelligence chief M in the next James Bond installment, with Skyfall director Sam Mendes also on board for repeat duty.
Also on the National slate for the 2014-15 season — the last before long-serving director Nicholas Hytner hands over the reins to Rufus Norris — Cillian Murphy will star with Mikel Murfi and Stephen Rea in Ballyturk. Opening in September, that production marks Murphy’s second collaboration with playwright-director Enda Walsh (a Tony-winner for best book for the musical Once), following Misterman in 2011.
In July, Helen McCrory will take on the title role in Ben Power‘s new version of Euripides‘ Medea, directed by Carrie Cracknell.
Rona Munro‘s historical cycle, The James Plays, chronicling three generations of Stewart Kings in 15th century Scotland, will play the National in the fall, following its Edinburgh premiere this summer. Directed by Laurie Sansom, the trilogy is a co-production of the National Theatre of Scotland, the Edinburgh International Festival and the National Theatre of Great Britain.
Incoming artistic director Norris in November will stage David Hare‘s new play, Behind the Beautiful Forevers, based on Katherine Boo‘s Mumbai-set National Book Award winner. Hytner will direct an untitled new Tom Stoppard work in January. And Rules for Living, a new play by Sam Holcroft, will be directed in March by Tony winner Marianne Elliott (War Horse).
The National’s smash hit production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, also directed by Elliott, will transfer to Broadway in the fall. It begins previews Sept. 15 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, with opening night set for Oct. 5.
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