Nt Talks

Dying and death is something we will all experience in our lifetime: the loss of a loved one, fear of dying or perhaps trying to extend our lives. Malika Booker, Rachel Clarke and Tony Walter explore different perspectives on dying. Malika Booker is a British Caribbean writer, Her collection Pepper Seed was published by Peepal Tree Press in 2013 and The Penguin Modern Poets Series 3 in 2017. She is currently a LHRI Fellow at Leeds University where she is conducting a creative research project gathering memories and anecdotes about Caribbean funerals, wakes and nine nights. Rachel Clarke is a current NHS doctor, former television journalist and author of Your Life in My Hands. She works in palliative medicine, believing that helping patients at the end of life experience the best quality life possible, is priceless. Professor Tony Walter is a sociologist who works with the University of Bath's Centre for Death & Society. He has written and lectured on diverse aspects of death in the modern world. His la

Patrick Marber talks about his new production, Exit the King, with Rachel Cooke. Patrick Marber’s plays for the National Theatre include Dealer’s Choice, Closer, The Red Lion, Three Days in the Country, The Beaux’ Stratagem, and Hedda Gabler.

The director and writer reflect on their production of An Octoroon. Ned Bennett directed Pomona at the Orange Tree Theatre, National Theatre and Royal Exchange; The Crocodile at the Manchester International Festival and Yen at the Royal Court and the Royal Exchange. He won the UK Theatre Award for Best Director for Pomona and Yen Branden Jacobs-Jenkins won the 2014 Obie Award for Best New American Play for Appropriate and An Octoroon. He was a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Gloria, and was named a MacArthur Fellow in 2016.

Join the director as he reflects on his production of Translations, chaired by Tanya Seghatchian. Ian Rickson was artistic director of the Royal Court Theatre from 1998 to 2007. Recent West End work includes Jerusalem, Betrayal, Mojo, The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? and The Birthday Party.

Kate Fleetwood reflects on the challenges and rewards of performing the roles of Christine Foskett in Absolute Hell. Kate Fleetwood was in King Lear, Ugly Lies the Bone, 50 Years on Stage, London Road and Love’s Labour’s Lost at the NT, and Macbeth and Medea in the West End.

A panel discussion with contributions from artist Larry Achiampong, writer and academic Margaret Byron, Matthew Ryder (Deputy Mayor for Social Integration, Social Mobility, Community Engagement), Sharon Watson (Artistic Director, Phoenix Dance Theatre) and chaired by presenter Brenda Emannus which explores issues of race, immigration and culture: exploring immigration in and before the 1940's with SS Empire Windrush and the continuing impact in contemporary arts and culture in the UK. An event inspired by the new production of Nine Night by Natasha Gordon.

The Arden Shakespeare has released a new series, Arden Performance Editions, specially annotated to help actors, directors and students in the rehearsal and classroom. Join series editors Abigail Rokison-Woodall and Simon Russell Beale to discuss the perks, pitfalls and practicalities of bringing Shakespeare’s plays off the page and on to the stage.

Anne-Marie Duff and Rory Kinnear reflect on the challenges and rewards of playing Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, chaired by Tazeen Ahmad. Anne-Marie Duff’s work at the NT includes King Lear, Saint Joan, Husbands and Sons, and War and Peace. Rory Kinnear’s work at the NT includes Othello (Olivier Award for Best Actor), The Threepenny Opera, Last of the Haussmans and Hamlet.

The writer and director discuss their production of Nine Night. Natasha Gordon is a London-born actress and writer of Jamaican descent. She has performed at Tricycle Theatre, Royal Court, Young Vic and RSC. Nine Night is her first play. Roy Alexander Weise won the James Menzies-Kitchen Young Director award in 2016 and his credits include The Mountaintop at the Young Vic, Dead Don’t Floss at the NT, The Ugly One at Park Theatre and Primetime at the Royal Court.

A panel event to launch Oberon’s new book Reasons to be Graeae, celebrating the first 38 years of the UK’s first disabled-led theatre company. Several of the books contributors including Jenny Sealey, Jack Thorne, Alison Halstead, Nicola Miles-Wildin, Rufus Norris and Daryl Beeton* will be talking about their involvement with Graeae over the last four decades, as well as taking questions. To read the transcript of this event visit: http://graeae.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Graeae-Launch-260418-draft-note.pdf

Number 1 bestselling crime-writer Jo Nesbo (The Snowman, The Thirst) discusses his gripping new thriller, Macbeth, on the eve of its publication. Chaired by Rosie Goldsmith.

The actors reflect on the challenges and rewards of performing the roles of Mozart and Salieri in Amadeus.

To mark the publication of his new book, Year of the Mad King: The Lear Diaries, Antony Sher will be discussing his experiences of returning to Shakespeare’s King Lear after more than 30 years to perform the title role. Sher kept a diary, capturing every step of his personal and creative journey to opening night. Year of the Mad King: The Lear Diaries is Sher’s account of researching, rehearsing and performing one of Shakespeare's greatest roles. His honest, illuminating and witty commentary provides an intimate, first-hand look at the development of his Lear and the production as a whole. Chaired by Sue MacGregor.

Studies show that mainstream and social media influence our daily decisions; what to buy, how to vote and even how to treat people or view society. We're increasingly relying on social networks as our source of news – is this trend reducing the power and influence of owners of the major news outlets? A panel discusses what can be done to reduce the impact of fake news, and ensure reporting is unbiased; leaving consumers, voters and viewers to form their own opinions. Panellists include Claire Fox (Academy of Ideas), Janine Gibson (Buzzfeed), and Fatima Manji (Channel 4), chaired by Tazeen Ahmad.

A conversation exploring recent influences and shifts in writing for musical theatre, and looking forward to the future of the genre. Speakers include Anthony Drewe, Victoria Saxton and Sevan Tavoukdijan, chaired by Adam Lenson.

1606, while a very good year for Shakespeare (he wrote Macbeth, King Lear and Antony and Cleopatra), was a fraught one for England. The plague had returned. There was resistance to the new king's desire to turn England and Scotland into a united Britain. Fear and uncertainty across the land exposed deep divisions in the aftermath of a failed terrorist attack that came to be known as the Gunpowder Plot. Join James Shapiro to explore how Shakespeare’s plays responded to the tumultuous events of 1606. James Shapiro, who teaches English at Columbia University in New York, is author of several books, including 1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare (winner of the BBC4 Samuel Johnson Prize in 2006), 1606: William Shakespeare and the Year of Lear, as well as Contested Will: Who Wrote Shakespeare? He also serves on the Board of the Royal Shakespeare Company. This talk will be chaired by Mark Lawson.

Writer Dennis Kelly reflects on his role in the National Theatre's production of Pinocchio. Chaired by Rosie Goldsmith.

Join the director and designer as they reflect on their new production of John. Chaired by Dan Rebellato. Chloe Lamford’s work spans theatre, installation, music and opera nationally and internationally. She is associate designer at the Royal Court, and regularly designs for the National Theatre and the Young Vic, amongst others. Recent designs for NT include Amadeus and Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour. James Macdonald was associate and deputy director of the Royal Court (1992 – 2006), and has directed productions at Donmar Warehouse, Almeida, Hampstead Theatre, Royal Court, in the West End, and in New York he has worked for Public Theater, Lincoln Center, NYTW and for MTC on Broadway. For NT has directed Dido Queen of Carthage, The Hour We Knew Nothing Of Each Other and Exiles.

Set and Costume Designer and Puppet Co-designer Bob Crowley (The History Boys), Puppetry Director and Puppet Co-designer Toby Olié (War Horse) and Director John Tiffany (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) reflect on their new production of Pinocchio. Chaired by Kate Bassett.

The actors reflect on the challenges and rewards of performing in Follies, chaired by Clemency Burton-Hill. Josephine Barstow has performed in opera houses across the world alongside artists such as Domingo and Pavarotti, and under the baton of Solti and Karajan. Tracie Bennett originated the roles of Laura Henderson in Mrs Henderson Presents, Judy Garland in End of the Rainbow and has won Olivier awards for her performances in She Loves Me and Hairspray.