Death And The King's Horseman

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Showing at: National Theatre Olivier

Box Office: 020 7452 3000

Age: General

Genre: Play

Sub Genre: Drama

Set in the Nigeria of 1943, Wole Soyinka’s Death And The King’s Horseman uses an ancient tradition to examine the essence of corruption and the power of human will.

The King is dead and tonight his horseman must escort him to the ancestors. As Elesin Oba dances through the closing marketplace, flirting with the women, pursued by his praise-singer and an entourage of drummers, he promises to honour the ancient Yoruba custom of ritual suicide and so accompany his ruler on the final journey. But a life so rich is hard to leave, and this is a British colony where such customs are not tolerated, no matter how sacred.

Nigerian writer, poet and playwright Soyinka won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986. Initially educated in Nigeria, he studied English Literature at Leeds University and worked at the Royal Court before returning to Africa to continue his study and begin teaching. During the Nigerian Civil War of the late 1960s, Soyinka was imprisoned as a traitor. In addition to Death And The King’s Horseman his plays include The Lion And The Jewel, A Dance Of The Forests and The Strong Breed.

Death And The King’s Horseman is directed by Rufus Norris, whose recent productions include the recent revival of Cabaret, Hergé’s Adventures Of Tintin, Festen and Vernon God Little.

Death And The King's Horseman is staged in the National's Olivier Theatre as part of the Travelex £10 season.

Performance Details

  • previews from: 01 Apr 2009
  • opening night: 08 Apr 2009
  • booking until: 23 Apr 2009

show times: Mon-Sat 19:30 (8 Apr 19:00), Mats 14:00 - In rep, please check with theatre for performance dates

ticket prices: £10-£30

 

author: Wole Soyinka

director: Rufus Norris

sound: Ian Dickinson

lighting designer: Paule Constable

designer: Katrina Lindsay

producer: National Theatre

 

map: View 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

 

Assisted Performance Booking Information

Access Booking: Tel 020 7452 3000 Information Desk 020 7452 3400

Accessible Facilities Venue Information

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.

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