Productions

based on a novel by Terry Pratchett
adapted by Mark Ravenhill 

Nation was captured live on 30 January 2010 at the National Theatre.

 Here is what the audience members said about the previous NT Live broadcasts:

‘This event boggles the mind; where talent, artistry and the theatrical experience are able to travel across oceans instantly… Brilliant.' Audience member, Reykjavík, Iceland

 ‘…gave us the sense of sitting in the best seats in the house.' Audience member, Colchester

‘It feels like the world has just opened up to us!' Audience member, Maine, USA

‘Having been a fervent believer that nothing can compare to the actual experience of theatre I was utterly  overwhelmed by Phedre live. The intensity of those amazing performances, the colour, the sound - all combined to give us our supreme theatre experience of the year. A brilliant experiment, one which worked in a different way with All's Well too. Carry on please...’ Audience member, Henley on Thames

A parallel world, 1860. Two teenagers thrown together by a tsunami that has destroyed Mau’s village and left Daphne shipwrecked on his South Pacific island, thousands of miles from home. One wears next to nothing, the other a long white dress; neither speaks the other’s language; somehow they must learn to survive. As starving refugees gather, Daphne delivers a baby, milks a pig, brews beer and does battle with a mutineer. Mau fights cannibal Raiders, discovers the world is round and questions the reality of his tribe’s fiercely patriarchal gods. Together they come of age, overseen by a foul-mouthed parrot, as they discard old doctrine to forge a new Nation.

Oh I think you think I want to eat you but – no no no – I am offering you afternoon tea – over there – in one hour. 

Following His Dark Materials, Coram Boy and War Horse, the National stages Mark Ravenhill’s exhilarating adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s latest witty and challenging adventure story.

There’s no demons, no gods. Just me. And the waves and the sun and birth and death. And there’s no reason for anything. I’m sorry: that’s just the way it seems to me.

Suitable for 10yrs+ 

World Premiere