Peter Gynt

A co-production with Edinburgh International Festival

by David Hare
after Henrik Ibsen

27 June to 8 October 2019
Running Time: approx. 3 hrs 20 mins (inc 2 intervals)

Olivier Theatre

A sharp satire with an outstanding performance from James McArdle.

Guardian

An exuberant reinvention of Ibsen’s Peer Gynt. Swashbuckling theatre.

Daily Mail

Dazzling. A laugh-out-loud production.

Independent

A mischievous new reworking

Daily Express

This production has to be seen.

The Arts Desk

Surprises and illuminates. A unique parable for our times.

Mark Shenton, London Theatre

A towering central performance from James McArdle.

WhatsOnStage

A brilliant and often hilarious account of a male life run off course.

Edinburgh Evening News

Peter Gynt

★★★★
"I loved it: outlandish ambition, carefree theatricality and aphoristic wit and wisdom."
Daily Mail

Ibsen’s classic is reinvented as a riotous adventure for the 21st century.

Peter Gynt is searching for something: himself. Traveling from the mountains of Scotland to the pool-sides of Florida, he’ll meet talking hyenas, two-headed trolls and even an Egyptian Sphinx. But his ultimate transformation may not be all that he hoped for…

Playing the rebellious antihero, James McArdle (Angels In America) is reunited with David Hare and Jonathan Kent, the partnership behind the triumphant Young Chekhov at Chichester Festival Theatre and the National Theatre.

This outrageous modern myth is designed by the Tony award-winning Richard Hudson (The Lion King), with an original score from Paul Englishby (BBC's Luther and Dr Foster) and movement direction from Polly Bennett (Bohemian Rhapsody).

Please note: This production contains strobe lighting and strong language.

Talks and events

Exploring Peter Gynt Mon 23 Sep, 10.30am
Designing Peter Gynt with Richard Hudson Thu 26 Sep, 6.30pm
In Conversation: Creating and Performing Peter Gynt Tue 1 Oct, 6.30pm
Henrik Ibsen: Maker of Modern Theatre (repeat) Thu 3 Oct, 2pm

Peter Gynt | Designing Theatre

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Supported Layout:

Full Width

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Peter Gynt I Where do you see yourself in 50 years?

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Polly Bennett I Through the eyes of a Movement Director

Movement Director Polly Bennett (Killing Eve, The Crown, Bohemian Rapsody) talks to us during rehearsals for Peter Gynt.

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Peter Gynt I Who is he?

Who exactly is Peter Gynt? We spoke to some of the cast to find out.

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Peter Gynt I Production Gallery

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Peter Gynt I Behind the scenes

We catch up with James McArdle (Angels in America, Young Chekhov) on the set of the Peter Gynt artwork shoot in North London.

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Peter Gynt ticket prices and Access performances

Ticket prices

Monday - Thursday eves, all matinees
*£84, £64, £55, £45, £32, £15
Friday & Saturday eves
*£88, £68, £59, £49, £34, £18
Ways to save
Previews 27 June - 8 July
*£67, £47 - £15

Access Performances

Audio-described performances, for blind and visually impaired people:
Fri 13 September, 7pm
Sat 14 September, 1pm preceded by a Touch Tour

Captioned performances, for deaf or hard-of-hearing people:
Mon 16 September, 7pm
Thu 26 September, 1pm
Wed 2 October, 7pm

*Some of the best seats in the house are premium priced. They help to ensure we can continue to offer low price seats for all our productions; the National Theatre is a charity and only 17% government-funded. This year nearly 30% of our tickets are available for £20 or less.

Smart caption glasses

Smart caption glasses are a revolutionary new way for people with hearing loss to enjoy performances at the National Theatre. For the first time, service users can experience our productions, including this one, from any seat in any theatre.

Find out about smart caption glasses