Closex
London Assurance
Richard Briers, Fiona Shaw and Simon Russell Beale star in Boucicault's tale of Londoner drawn away from the city by a rich, beautiful bride 45 years his junior.
Operated by The Society of London Theatre
London Assurance
National Theatre Olivier, South Bank, LondonLondon Assurance is the tale of Sir Harcourt Courtley, who is lured away from the epicentre of fashionable London by the promise of a rich and beautiful bride, Grace, 45 years his junior. Arriving at Oak Hall, Gloucestershire, he marvels at this rural Venus until her charms are eclipsed by her hearty cousin, the foxhunting Lady Gay Spanker. Meanwhile his disguised son turns up in flight from his creditors and falls head over heels for Grace. When Lady Spanker discovers the young couple, she needs little prompting from the visiting chancer Dazzle to lead Sir Harcourt astray.
Simon Russell Beale, who leads the cast of London Assurance is widely regarded as one of the finest stage actors of his generation. A National Theatre Associate, his previous credits on the South Bank include Major Barbara, Much Ado About Nothing, The Alchemist, The Life Of Galileo and Hamlet.
Fiona Shaw, who stars opposite Russell Beale in London Assurance, is also an NT regular, having appeared in Mother Courage And Her Children, Happy Days, Richard II, The Good Person Of Sichuan and The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie.
London Assurance is the third production in the Shell Series of classic drama, following Much Ado About Nothing and Oedipus.
For more about London Assurance at the National Theatre, Olivier, read the First Night Feature or the Big Interview with Simon Russell Beale.
Cast & CreativesEXPAND
cast: Richard Briers, Paul Ready, Simon Russell Beale, Fiona Shaw, Michelle Terry, Mark Addy, Matt Cross, Fiona Drummond, Mark Extance, Richard Frame, Junix Inocian, Tony Jayawardena, Simon Markey, Laura Matthews, Prasanna Puwanarajah, Nick Sampson, Maggie Service, David Whitworth
director: Nicholas Hytner
music by: Rachel Portman
sound: John Leonard
lighting designer: Neil Austin
designer: Mark Thompson
producer: National Theatre
Ticket Prices:
£10-£44
About the show
- Age Suitability: General
- Genre: Play
- Sub-Genre: Play-Comedy
- Show Times: Various - in rep, please check with theatre for dates and times
- Duration: 2h40
- opening night:
- Box Office:
020 7452 3000 - Visit the Show Website
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Fri 13 Nov 2009 11:30Briers, Shaw and Russell Beale lead National spring season
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.
