National Theatre Features Stephens, Amuka-Bird & Harewood in 2010 Productions

The National Theatre has announced casting for its upcoming productions, starting with Moira Buffini's WELCOME TO THEBES which will run starting June 15. Nikki Amuka-Bird and David Harewood will star in the World Premiere of the play, which tells the Greek myth of the first democratically elected president of Thebes in a modernized way. The show will be directed by Richard Eyre and the cast will also feature Madeline Appiah, Rakie Ayola, Omar Brown, Jessie Burton, Jacqueline Defferary, Daniel Fine, Karlina Grace, Rene Gray, Tracy Ifeachor, Irma Inniss, Chuk Iwuji, Alexia Khadime, Ferdinand Kingsley, Aicha Kossoko, Simon Manyonda, Bruce Myers, Pamela Nomvete, Calre Perkins, Victor Power, Daniel Poyser, Joy Richardson, Vinette Robinson, Zara Tempest-Walters, and Michael Wildman.

The creative team of the production will feature Tim Hatley (design), Neil Austin (lighting), Stephen Warbeck (music), Scarlett Macmin (choreography), and Rich Walsh (sound).

Next up is Toby Stephens starring in Howard Benton's adaptation of Georg Büchner's DANTON'S DEATH. The production, which begins previews on July 15, will be directed by Michael Grandage and will also feature Elliot Levey (Robespierre), Barnaby Kay (Camille), and Alec Newman (St Just), as well as Max Bennett, Stefano Braschi, Kirsty Bushell, Jason Cheater, Judith Coke, Emmanuella Cole, Ilan Goodman, Taylor James, Gwilym Lee, Eleanor Matsuura, Elizabeth Nestor, Chu Omambala, Rebecca O'Mara, Rebecca Scroggs, Jonathan Warde, and Ashley Zhangazha.

The creative team will feature Christopher Oram (production design), Paule Constable (lighting design), and Adam Cork (original music and sound design).

EARTHQUAKES IN LONDON by Mike Bartlett will begin previews on July 28 and be directed by Rupert Goold. The cast will feature Anna Madeley, Bill Paterson, Jessica Raine, Geoffrey Streatfeild and Lia Williams. The creative team includes Miriam Buether (set design), Katrina Lindsay (costume design), Howard Harrison (lighting design), Scott Ambler (choreography), Jon Driscoll (projection designs) and Gregory Clarke (sound design).

EARTHQUAKES IN LONDON tells the story of three sisters trying to figure out their lives and their loves while their scientist father predicts disaster.

In addition to announcing casting, the theater also announced that Alan Bennett's THE HABIT OF ART will return to the Lyttleton on July 14, prior to the start of a U.K. tour. The production will star Desmont Barritt and Malcolm Sinclair as WH Auden and Benjamin Britten, respectively. After the run at the National, the production will play at Birmingham Rep Theatre (September 28 -October 2), The Lowry, Salford (October 5 - 9), Venue Cymru, Llandudno (October12 - 16), Milton Keynes Theatre (October 19 - 23), The Grand Opera House, Belfast Festival (October 26 - 30), Theatre Royal, Nottingham (November 2 - 6), Leeds Grand Theatre (November 9 - 13), Theatre Royal, Newcastle (November 16 - 20), and Theatre Royal, Glasgow (November 23 - 27).

For more information, visit online at www.nationaltheatre.org.uk.