Rufus Norris will direct and provide the lyrics for Hex, a new musical inspired by the story of Sleeping Beauty which will debut at the National Theatre this Christmas.
Announced as part of a diverse programme of live theatre at the Southbank venue, on tour and on Broadway along with major cinema releases including the re-release of the National Theatre Live recording of Follies, Hex will premiere in the Olivier in December.
Featuring a book by Tanya Ronder and music by Jim Fortune, the musical that takes the story beyond the Prince’s wake-up kiss will reunite Norris with set and costume designer Katrina Lindsay (Small Island, London Road).
The NT’s plans include three major UK tours, and two productions on Broadway including the hit 2018 production of American folk singer Anaïs Mitchell’s Hadestown. Directed by Rachel Chauvin, the multi-award-winning production will reopen in New York in September with a North American tour planned for October onwards. A South Korean production will also open in Seoul in August.
With all three Southbank theatres reopening for live performances for the first time since March 2020, the programme at the Lyttelton will include Emma Rice’s adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic work Wuthering Heights. A co-production with Wise Children, Bristol Old Vic and York Theatre Royal, the world premiere production will arrive at the NT in early 2022 before embarking on a UK tour in the spring 2022.
The programme announcement was accompanied by the launch of National Theatre Together, a new campaign highlighting the ‘importance of creativity and collaboration with theatre-makers and communities for young people and audiences’.
Commenting on the initiative, the National Theatre’s director and joint chief executive Norris said: “Theatre is a world-class UK industry, and brings with it a bucket-load of economic and social benefits. The National Theatre has a crucial role to play in supporting the nation’s creativity; it’s an incredible place full of amazing people and elicits enormous affection, pride and passion in audiences around the world.
“National Theatre Together celebrates the work we create with theatre-makers and communities, for young people and audiences – and asks our friends to once again stand with us and equip us to do what we do best: shape a bright, creative future for this nation.”
Angela Thomas
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