Closex
Welcome To Thebes
A passionate exploration of an encounter between the world's richest and poorest countries, set in the aftermath of a brutal war.
Operated by The Society of London Theatre
Welcome To Thebes
National Theatre Olivier, South Bank, LondonSet in the present day but inspired by ancient myth, Moira Buffini's Welcome To Thebes offers a passionate exploration of an encounter between the world's richest and poorest countries, set in the aftermath of a brutal war.
Faced with an impoverished population, a shattered infrastructure and a volatile army, the first democratic president of Thebes, Eurydice, promises peace to her nation. Without the aid of Theseus, the leader of the vastly wealthy state of Athens, she doesn't stand a chance. But Theseus is arrogant, mercurial and motivated by profit.
Will Eurydice and her government get what they need for their fledgling state, on terms they can live with? Meanwhile a swaggering opposition circles, impatient for insurrection, the body of the former dictator lies unburied and a boy soldier is carelessly murdered.
Welcome To Thebes stars Nikki Amuka-Bird as Eurydice. Amuka-Bird is familiar to TV viewers for her appearances in Survivors, Small Island, Torchwood and The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, while she was recently seen on stage in The Gods Weep for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
David Harewood, who plays Theseus, recently starred in the Laurence Olivier Award-winning play The Mountaintop. His National Theatre credits include Othello and His Dark Materials, while he has been seen on screen in Mrs Mandela, Robin Hood and Babyfather.
Welcome To Thebes is directed by former National Theatre Artistic Director Richard Eyre.
For more about Welcome To Thebes at the National Theatre read the First Night Feature or Big Interview with Nikki Amuka-Bird.
Cast & CreativesEXPAND
cast: Nikki Amuka-Bird, David Harewood, 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, Michael Wildman
director: Richard Eyre
music by: Stephen Warbeck
sound: Rich Walsh
lighting designer: Neil Austin
choreographer: Scarlett Mackmin
designer: Tim Hatley
Ticket Prices:
£10-£30
About the show
- Age Suitability: General
- Genre: Play
- Sub-Genre: Play-Drama
- Show Times: In repertoire, call box office for details
- Duration: 2h45
- opening night:
- Box Office:
020 7452 3000 - Visit the Show Website
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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.
