Timon of Athens - National Theatre (Olivier)
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
NICHOLAS Hytner will direct Simon Russell Beale in the title role of Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens, which opens in the Olivier Theatre on July 17, 2012 (previews from July 10) as part of the Travelex £12 Tickets season.
Shakespeare’s strange fable of conspicuous consumption, debt and ruin was written in collaboration with Thomas Middleton.
Wealthy friend to the rich and powerful, patron of the arts, ostentatious host, Timon of Athens showers gifts and hospitality on the city’s elite. He vastly outspends his resources but, finding his coffers empty, reassures his loyal steward that all will be well.
When he calls upon his erstwhile associates, instead of offering help, they hang him out to dry. After a final, vengeful banquet, Timon withdraws to a literal and emotional wasteland, living off roots and pouring ever more surreal curses on a morally bankrupt Athens.
Joining Simon Russell Beale in the cast will be Martin Chamberlain, Jason Cheater, Stavros Demetraki, Paul Dodds, Deborah Findlay, Ciaran McMenamin and Nick Sampson.
Simon Russell Beale’s extensive recent theatre work for the National Theatre includes Collaborators, London Assurance, Major Barbara, Much Ado About Nothing, The Alchemist and The Life of Galileo. Elsewhere, his credits include The Winter’s Tale and The Cherry Orchard (New York and Old Vic) and Bluebird (New York).
His films include My Week with Marilyn and The Deep Blue Sea, while on television, as well as appearing in Spooks, he will play Falstaff in the forthcoming BBC film of Henry IV and present the series Sacred Music and Symphony.
Since he became Director of the National Theatre in April 2003, Nicholas Hytner has directed Henry V, His Dark Materials, The History Boys, Stuff Happens, Henry IV, Southwark Fair, The Alchemist, The Man of Mode, The Rose Tattoo (with Stephen Pimlott), Rafta, Rafta… , Much Ado About Nothing, Major Barbara, England People Very Nice, Phèdre, The Habit of Art, London Assurance, Hamlet, Collaborators, Travelling Light and One Man, Two Guvnors.
One of the National’s contributions to the World Shakespeare Festival, which is part of the London 2012 Festival, Timon of Athens will be designed by Tim Hatley, with lighting by Bruno Poet and sound by Christopher Shutt.
2012 marks the tenth anniversary of Travelex Tickets at the National Theatre. Almost half the tickets for Timon of Athens, London Road and three other plays in the Olivier Theatre are £12 (the rest are £22 and £32).