Closex
Nation
Mark Ravenhill's adaptation of Terry Pratchett's novel continues the National Theatre's tradition of staging family-orientated shows over the Christmas period.
Operated by The Society of London Theatre
Nation
National Theatre Olivier, South Bank, LondonNation, adapted from the novel by Terry Pratchett, is set in a parallel world in 1860. Two teenagers are thrown together by a tsunami that has destroyed Mau's village and left Daphne shipwrecked on his South Pacific island, thousands of miles from home. One wears next to nothing, the other a long white dress; neither speaks the other's language. Somehow they must learn to survive.
As starving refugees gather, Daphne delivers a baby, milks a pig, brews beer and does battle with a mutineer. Mau fights cannibal Raiders, discovers the world is round and questions the reality of his tribe's fiercely patriarchal gods. Together they come of age, overseen by a foul-mouthed parrot, as they discard old doctrine to forge a new nation.
Nation is the latest novel by Pratchett, the best-selling author known for his hugely popular Discworld series of 36 novels.
Mark Ravenhill, who has adapted Nation for the stage, has written several plays for the National Theatre's New Connections programme for teenagers: Citizenship, Scenes From Family Life and Totally Over You. His other plays include The Cut, Mother Clap's Molly House and Shoot / Get Treasure / Repeat.
Melly Still, director of Nation, previously directed another Christmas hit at the National, Coram Boy.
Nation is suitable for aged 10+
For more about Nation at the National Theatre Olivier, read the Big Interview with Mark Ravenhill or the First Night Feature.
Cast & CreativesEXPAND
cast: Gary Carr, Emily Taaffe, David Ajala, Gaye Brown, Paul Chahidi, Elaine Claxton, Adrian Decosta, Mike Denman, Lorna Gayle, Nancy Wei George, Howard Gossington, Tony Hasnath, Robert Hastie, Amy Loughton, Michelle Lukes, Nick Malinowski, Michael Mears, Itxaso Moreno, Al Nedjari, Bhasker Patel, Nicholas Rowe, Sirine Saba, Gurpeet Singh, Craig Stein, David Sterne, Jason Thorp, Ewart James Walters
director: Melly Still
music by: Adrian Sutton
book By: Terry Pratchett
sound: Paul Arditti
lighting designer: Paul Anderson
costume: Dinah Collin
designer: Melly Still and Mark Friend
Ticket Prices:
£10-£42.50
About the show
- Age Suitability: Family
- Genre: Play
- Sub-Genre: Play-Drama
- Show Times: In rep - check with theatre for schedule
- Duration: 2h40
- opening night:
- Box Office:
020 7452 3000
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Venue InformationHIDE
National Theatre Olivier
South Bank, London, United Kingdom, SE1 9PX
- Nearest tube: Waterloo (250m), Southwark
- Nearest bus: 76, 77, 211, 507, D1, D11, P11 (York Road)149, P11 (Stamford Street)1, 4, 26, 68, X68, 76, 168, 171, 171A, 176, 188, 501, 505, 521 (Waterloo Bridge)
- Nearest train: Waterloo (approx. 250m)
- Parking: 5 spaces reserved for orange badge holders at riverside end of Cottesloe Ave. 4 extra bays opposite Cottesloe theatre for evening performances. Car Park beneath theatre. Spaces reserved for disabled customers near lifts. Free parking voucher available from box office for orange badge holders (present ticket at information desk). Automatic doors and ramps from the Car Park to the lobby and lift.
- Air conditioned: 1
- Download an Enabled Map
Venue Access InformationEXPAND
- How to book: Tel 020 7452 3000 Information Desk 020 7452 3400
- Telephones: There is a public cash telephone at Circle bar level.
- Discounts: Discounts available for all disabled people.
- Limited mobility: Please ask to be seated in an aisle seat in the centre Stalls when you book.
- Access description: Main entrance reached from Upper Ground via Theatre Avenue to Theatre Square and a drop off point approx. 40m from main entrance. Lifts up to the Olivier Theatre to right of information desk (to both Stalls and Circle levels) or staircases further in on each side (49 steps to Stalls, further 44 to Circle). Olivier Box office on level 2. No steps to the back of the Stalls, 10 steps up to raised sections. Centre Stalls auditorium has gradual shallow steps with a handrail on aisles 2 and 4. Lift to row G of Circle and 18 steps down to the front. Power assisted doors and ramps to terraces from Level 2.
- Hearing impaired: Infra-red system with headsets or neck loops. Collect headsets/loops from box offices. Induction loops at service counters.
- Guide dogs policy: Guide dogs are not currently allowed in the auditorium, however staff are happy to dog sit. Dogs will be looked after in the cloakroom. Groups should contact the theatre manager’s office on 020 7452 3281.
- Wheelchairs: Lift to the Olivier Stalls. 3 spaces for wheelchair users in row R. A companion can sit next to the left-hand space in row R, or in the row. Transfer seating is available to aisle seats - wheelchairs stored at back of auditorium.
- Toilets: Women’s and men’s at Stalls and Circle levels.
- Disabled toilets: Adapted WC on the left side of the Stalls corridor.
- Bars: 6 licensed bars. Access information: No steps to the Olivier Stalls and Circle bars (spacious, moveable seats) from the lifts. Soft drinks may be brought to disabled customers in the auditorium. Chair lift down a flight of steps to the Circle café from level 3 - contact a member of staff for assistance. The menu is available in large print.
