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  • Lesley Manville

    23 Jul 2008

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    Lesley Manville has the experience to know a good role when she is offered one, and the ability to avoid being tied down to just one, finds Caroline Bishop.  Read more


Her Naked Skin

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Showing at: National Theatre Olivier

Box Office: 020 7452 3000

Age: General

Genre: Play

Sub Genre: Play (Drama)

London 1913. Militancy in the Suffragette Movement is at its height. Thousands of women of all classes serve time in Holloway Prison in their fight to gain the vote. Amongst them is Lady Celia Cain who feels trapped by both the policies of the day and the shackles of a frustrating marriage. Inside, she meets a young seamstress, Eve Douglas, and her life spirals into an erotic but dangerous chaos.

Her Naked Skin is set at a crucial moment when, with emancipation almost in sight, women refuse to let the establishment stand in their way.

Lesley Manville, who leads the cast as Lady Celia Cain, has previously appeared in National Theatre productions of The Alchemist, Pillars Of The Community and His Dark Materials. Manville has worked closely with director Mike Leigh on films including Vera Drake, All Or Nothing, Topsy Turvy and Secrets And Lies, while her television credits include Cranford, The Cazalets and David Copperfield.

For more about Her Naked Skin read the Big Interview with Lesley Manville.

Performance Details

  • previews from: 24 Jul 2008
  • opening night: 31 Jul 2008
  • closing: 24 Sep 2008

show times: 19:30, Mats 14:00 - In rep, please check with theatre for performance dates

ticket prices: £10-£30

Assisted Performances

captioned performance: By STAGETEXT on Tue 2 Sep at 19:30 T: 020 7452 3000 E: boxoffice@nationaltheatre.org.uk

audio described performance: By In-house on Fri 22 Aug at 19:30 & Sat 23 Aug at 14:00 T: 020 7452 3000 E: boxoffice@nationaltheatre.org.uk

cast: Lesley Manville, Zoe Aldrich, Julien Ball, David Beames, Ken Bones, Elicia Daly, Joe Dunlop, Susan Engel, Stephanie Jacob, Ruth Keeling, Dermot Kerrigan, Barbara Kirby, Anna Lowe, Nick Malinowski, Simon Markey, Pamela Marrick, Gerard Monaco, Edward Newborn, Harriette Quarrie, Adrian Rawlins, Jemima Rooper, Stephanie Thomas, Tony Turner, Robert Willox, Deborah Winckles

author: Rebecca Lenkiewicz

director: Howard Davies

sound: Paul Groothius

lighting designer: Neil Austin

designer: Rob Howell

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

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.

Lesley Manville in Her Naked Skin at the National. Photo: Catherine Ashmore

Lesley Manville in Her Naked Skin at the National. (Photo: Catherine Ashmore)

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