Tim Sheader will direct the UK premiere of the award-winning musical Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 as part of his inaugural season as the artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse.
Featuring music, lyrics, book and orchestrations by multi-award-winning composer, writer and performer Dave Malloy (The Witches, Ghost Quartet), the sung-through musical is inspired by a section of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. The love story received its Broadway premiere in 2016 with Denée Benton and Josh Groban making their Broadway debuts as Natasha and Pierre respectively. The production was nominated for 12 Tony Awards.
Sheader’s new production will make its debut at the Donmar from 7 December 2024 until 8 February 2025. The creative team will also include choreographer Ellen Kane, musical supervisor Nicholas Skilbeck, set designer Leslie Travers, costume designer Evie Gurney, sound designers Nick Lidster & Gareth Tucker for Autograph, musical director Sam Young, casting directors Pippa Ailion for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting and associate director Fiona Dunn.
Announced by Sheader and executive director Henny Finch, the season also includes the world premieres of two new plays – The Fear of 13 by Lindsay Ferrentino starring Oscar winner Adrien Brody and Backstroke by Anna Mackmin starring Celia Imrie and Tamsin Greig. The season is completed by a major revival of Lynn Nottage’s Intimate Apparel starring Emmy Award winner Samira Wiley.
Commenting on his first season at the prestigious venue, Sheader said: “I am hugely honoured to be leading this very special theatre into a new era, building on the legacy of my predecessors. With all these new projects, I look forward to welcoming both loyal and new audiences to gather together in our beautiful three-sided auditorium, where connecting with artists and each other is central to every performance.
“It is an immense privilege to be announcing today our first four productions kicking off with a world premiere based on an extraordinary true story, starring Adrien Brody in his London stage debut. I’m looking forward to directing a party-fuelled Broadway musical that has never been seen this side of the pond, and then we have a beautiful new play that touches the lives of so many of us led by the brilliant Tamsin Greig and Celia Imrie. And finally announced today, another opportunity to experience the stellar combination of Lynette Linton and Lynn Nottage’s writing, this time welcoming the amazing Samira Wiley to the Donmar stage for the first time. Throughout all these shows you’ll find the Donmar’s DNA – excellent productions, starring outstanding actors, all experienced up close in our intimate theatre…
“Putting a season together like this is an enormous team effort, so I’m very grateful to my joint CEO Henny Finch and the whole Donmar team for all their hard work, skill and care. I’m also delighted to introduce Titas Halder, in the new role of associate artistic director, another cornerstone of our embedded talent development initiatives. The Donmar remains destination theatre, please do join us for a night out to remember.”
The Donmar also announced a renewed commitment to developing younger audiences with Sheader commenting: “We are all too aware that with the hard realities of both cost-of-living and housing crises, younger audiences could be feeling priced out of making theatre a part of their lives. We want everyone to have the chance to experience the Donmar, and we have therefore made a brand-new commitment to ensuring that across the season there will be thousands of £20 tickets available for audiences aged 35 and under.”
Sheader arrivde at the prestigious Covent Garden venue after a tenure at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre which began in 2007. During his tenure the company won seven Olivier Awards and four Evening Standard Awards with a number of critically acclaimed productions transferring to the West End and to North America.
Angela Thomas
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