19 Jan 2009
Tom Stoppard and André Previn’s play with orchestra is a clever and witty treatment of a shocking subject matter. Read more
Showing at: National Theatre Olivier
Box Office: 020 7452 3000
Age: General
Genre: Play
Sub Genre: Play (Drama)
Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, Tom Stoppard and Andre Previn’s piece for actors and orchestra, is revived at the National’s Olivier theatre three decades after it was first performed as part of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.
The plot of Every Good Boy Deserves Favour finds a dissident locked up in an asylum. He will be released if he admits that he was ill, has been treated and is now cured. His cell is shared by another patient who believes he is surrounded by an orchestra. As the dissident’s son begs his father to free himself with a lie, Stoppard’s darkly funny and provocative play asks if denying the truth is a price worth paying for liberty.
Every Good Boy Deserves Favour is the latest in a long list of Stoppard plays to be staged at the National Theatre. The association between playwright and company began in 1967 with Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead and has gone on to include pieces such as Jumpers, The Real Inspector Hound, Arcadia and The Coast Of Utopia.
Previn is one of the most famous names in the world of music. The composer, conductor and pianist has held chief artistic posts with the Los Angeles Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra and Houston Symphony Orchestra. In addition to composing the music for Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, Previn has produced numerous orchestral and chamber works, and more than 50 film scores.
The Southbank Sinfonia, Britain’s young professional orchestra, provides the show’s music. Founded in 2002, it was created to support promising musicians who have recently graduated from music college.
Every Good Boy Deserves Favour is directed at the Olivier theatre by the combination of National Theatre Associate Director Tom Morris (War Horse) and Felix Barrett, Artistic Director of Punchdrunk, the theatre company that has had tremendous success with productions including Faust and The Masque Of The Red Death.
show times: Mon-Sat 15:00, 19:00 & 20:45 - In rep, check with theatre for performance dates
ticket prices: £10-£30
duration: 1h05
cast: Toby Jones, Joseph Millson, Dan Stevens, Bronagh Gallagher, Bryony Hannah, Sarah Dowling, Conor Doyle, Jane Leaney, Rob McNeill, Fernanda Prata, Vinicius Salles
director: Felix Barrett and Tom Morris
sound: Christopher Shutt
lighting designer: Bruno Poet
conductor: Simon Over
choreographer: Maxine Doyle
designer: Bob Crowley
producer: National Theatre
map: View Map
Access Enabled Map (pdf format):
View The National Theatre Olivier Access Enabled Map
address: 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: Yes
Access Booking: Tel 020 7452 3000 Information Desk 020 7452 3400
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.
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