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Announcing Rufus Norris' Final Season

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The culmination of 10 years, including new work, world premieres, returning shows, expanded global reach and sector leading sustainability.

A man with short brown hair wearing a blue button-up shirt stands in front of a textured, abstract background with vertical lines. He has a neutral facial expression and is looking directly at the camera.

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
A white fabric label with the word

Alterations

In an evening Walker Holt must complete a large order but it’s going to cost him. This seminal comedy illuminates the experience of the Windrush generation in 1970’s London
20 February — 5 April 2025
Lyttelton Theatre - South Bank
Here We Are
A minimalist illustration showing six people walking on a turquoise path. A man in white walks ahead alone, while a group of five people in colorful outfits follows behind. The background is a solid bright red.

Here We Are

Two-time Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello directs Stephen Sondheim’s ‘cool, and impossibly chic’ (New York Times Critic’s Pick) final musical.
23 April — 28 June 2025
Lyttelton Theatre - South Bank
London Road
A hanging black basket filled with vibrant multicolored flowers including shades of yellow, red, blue, and green against a pale green background. The flowers are densely packed, and the basket is suspended by chains.

London Road

Alecky Blythe’s ‘Genuinely ground breaking’ Time Out verbatim musical returns for a strictly limited run. Rufus Norris directs this ‘Extraordinary show’ Financial Times.
5 — 21 June 2025
Olivier Theatre - South Bank
Nye
A man wearing red and black striped pajamas and plaid slippers is moving through flowing, translucent teal curtains. He extends his left arm forward, to part one of the curtains. The background consists of soft, undulating teal curtain layers, creating an abstract, dreamy environment.

Nye

Michael Sheen reprises his role as Nye Bevan in this ‘valiant and valuable affirmation of the NHS’ (Telegraph). Written by Tim Price and ‘vividly directed’ (Times) by Rufus Norris.
3 July — 16 August 2025
Olivier Theatre - South Bank

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.

A woman with long, wavy blond hair wearing a black outfit gazes directly at the camera. The background is blurred, putting focus on her face. She has a calm expression and light makeup.

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.

A person with a full, curly beard and curly hair is looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. They are wearing a light-colored sweater with subtle horizontal stripes and have a green background.

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).

A woman with short blonde hair and a slight smile sits on a wooden chair. She is wearing a light-colored top and is positioned against a soft, neutral background. The overall lighting is gentle, highlighting her features.

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 children stolen by the Nazis following WWII. Cast includes Juliet Stevenson (The Doctor).

A split-screen image shows a man and a woman. On the left, the man has short dark hair, wears glasses, a green shirt, and a navy blue jacket, smiling with a wooden background. On the right, the woman with long blonde hair wears a black top and looks to the right, with a blurred interior background.

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

A person (Michael Sheen) wearing striped pajamas stands against a bold, dark green and black gradient background, looking upward with a thoughtful expression.
Photo by Johan Persson

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.

Watch Nye for free this November

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.

Explore the Green Store

 

A mannequin in a glamorous purple dress with sparkling beads, a green fur stole, and a fancy white hat with feathers stands in the foreground. Behind it, shelves are filled with various masks and hats, creating a colorful and theatrical atmosphere.
Photo by Pete Goding

Inspiring creativity in schools

Celebrating ten years of incredible stories

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Photo by Johan Persson

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.

Read the interview