Paradise
A thrilling story of pride, glory and betrayal.
Kae Tempest, the astonishing writer, recording artist and performer, forges an epic new take on Greek legend.
Philoctetes: once a celebrated wartime hero, now a wounded outcast on a desolate island.
When a young soldier appears, his hope of escape comes with suspicion. And as an old enemy also emerges, he is faced with an even greater temptation: revenge.
Director Ian Rickson returns to the National Theatre following his acclaimed, sold-out runs of Translations.
The all-female company, with Lesley Sharp as Philoctetes, will perform amidst a dramatic wasteland designed by Rae Smith (War Horse, Barber Shop Chronicles).
Kae Tempest (Brand New Ancients, Let Them Eat Chaos) is winner of the Ted Hughes Award, has been nominated for the Costa Book Award for Poetry, and twice-nominated for the Mercury Prize.
Our teams are working with incredible theatre-makers to achieve our commitment of reducing our carbon impact in this time of climate crisis. The Theatre Green Book is an initiative in collaboration with sustainability experts Buro Happold.
We can’t wait to welcome you for live performances
We're proud to be See It Safely approved by Official London Theatre, so you can feel confident and safe knowing that staff, artists and audiences are COVID-secure based on the latest government guidelines.
You can also rest assured that our theatres and public areas are well ventilated and undergo enhanced cleaning between every show.
Here are some helpful points to remember when booking tickets and planning your visit:
- All performances of Paradise will be sold at full seating capacities.
- You will be allocated one of five separate arrival groups, indicated when you select tickets.
- In advance of your visit, you will receive an email with your specific arrival time.
- Government expects and recommends that people should continue to wear face coverings in settings such as theatres, to protect themselves and others. If you are exempt, we would appreciate you advising front-of-house staff on arrival.
Learn more about the ways we are welcoming audiences back safely
Supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation through the Weston Culture Fund
The reopening of the Olivier theatre is generously supported by Areté Foundation / Betsy & Ed Cohen.
Production supported by Cockayne – Grants for the Arts and The London Community Foundation.
