LATITUDE FESTIVAL Takes Over the National Theatre's River Stage

On 5-7 August, the National Theatre's River Stage welcomes Latitude Festival as they venture from their established Suffolk base to bring a heady mix of music, theatre, dance and literature to the South Bank for an unforgettable weekend of performances.

Featuring, amongst others, the exuberant Tina C; the award-winning Action To The Word's brand new production of Shakespeare's classic comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream; cross art form, narrative-led nabokov (pictured), an exclusive collaboration from an explosive group of artists; and the wonderful Michael Rosen, children's novelist and poet - a not-to-be-missed experience for all the family.

The NT's River Stage, in front of the NT, plays host to a free outdoor festival every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 29 July until 29 August. Along with Latitude Festival, there will be take-over weekends from the Glory, Mayfest, and Rambert, and a weekend of music, dance, performance and outdoor cinema from the NT. An eclectic combination of theatre, guest DJs, live music in the afternoon and late evening, family fun, vibrant dance and the very best live music acts - this is a free summer festival not to be missed.

Friday 5 August, Latitude Festival

Tina C 7 - 8pm

Tina C is the creation of multi-award-winning UK performer and theatre-maker, Christopher Green. Country music singer Tina C has become a global icon known for albums such as No Dick's As Hard As My Life and If You Can't Live Without Me (Why Weren't You Dead When I Met You).

Disco Shed 8.30 - 10.45pm

Kitsch, cool, and full of character, the Disco Shed was conceived in a moment of gArden Party madness by club promoters and long-time festival-goers Peepshow Paddy and Aidan 'Count' Skylarkin. Completely mobile and needing only a power source, the Disco Shed takes the best elements of modern clubbing but disguises it amongst all the stuff you'd find in your dad's old shed, to make a truly unique entertainment space and novel curiosity, guaranteed to intrigue and interest, amuse and amaze at all times.

Saturday 6 August, Latitude Festival

Action To The Word's A Midsummer Night's Dream 1 - 2.15pm

The award-winning international-touring Action to the Word bring their brand new production of Shakespeare's classic comedy to the NT Riverside. From the ensemble that created the press-acclaimed A Clockwork Orange and Dracula, and directed by Alexandra Spencer-Jones, this adaptation will temper your summer spirit, leading you 'painted blind' into the woods of Athens where nothing is as it seems.

In this, the 400th year since Shakespeare's death, we celebrate our glorious bard and his most ridiculous cavalcade of love, sex and mythology. Borrowing from the circus, the amphitheatres of Ancient Greece and classic clowning, Action To The Word invite you to their preview of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

How It Ended in association with Scamp Theatre presents The Little Gardener 2.15 - 2.45pm

How It Ended, in association with Scamp Theatre, present The Little Gardener. An outdoor, interactive adventure for all little gardeners aged 3+. Performed inside a large glass greenhouse and containing a real-life garden, How It Ended tell the story of a little gardener and the garden that meant everything to him. A Lyric Hammersmith, GDIF, Watford Palace Theatre and Latitude Festival production.

Nigel Barrett and Louise Mari - The Eye Test 3 - 3.30pm

Nigel Barrett and Louise Mari make wild, bold and visual performance for people who don't really like theatre and unusual theatrical experiences for those who do. This compelling piece sees the audience deliver a text in the form of an eye test.

How It Ended in association with Scamp Theatre presents The Little Gardener 3.45 - 4.15pm

How It Ended, in association with Scamp Theatre, present The Little Gardener. An outdoor, interactive adventure for all little gardeners aged 3+. Performed inside a large glass greenhouse and containing a real-life garden, How It Ended tell the story of a little gardener and the garden that meant everything to him. A Lyric Hammersmith, GDIF, Watford Palace Theatre and Latitude Festival production.

Far From The Norm - H.O.H 6 - 6.25pm

Established in May 2009, Far From The Norm are an experimental hip-hop theatre company. Combining hip hop, physical theatre and contemporary dance, H.O.H throws subliminal social and political issues with sophisticated humour on a football pitch.

nabokov - REFORMATION NATION 6.30 - 7.25pm

Unite on a dancefloor. Feel the music deep in your soul and LOVE. Real Talk. Letting loose and getting down is being part of something, it's justice. It's music, storytelling, and spoken word. It's a chance for us to come together and rave. It's change. DJ Sweetpea hosted by Deefa MC. Full line up to be announced.

Far From The Norm- H.O.H 7.30 - 7.55pm

Back on stage to present a diverse performance of hip hop, theatre and contemporary dance. Not to be missed.

nabokov - SLUG 8 - 9pm

A fusion of storytelling, live music and film. SLUG is an exclusive collaboration from Jade Anouka, Bellatrix, Caragh Campbell, Sabrina Mahfouz, Stef O'Driscoll, Grace Savage and TEAfilms.

SWNSNG - M.E.T.H: Traplord of the Flyz 9.10 - 9.25pm

What happens when inner-city youths reach to an apoplexy of mental destruction? Trapped in a system with distractions that create false identities? A catalytic rise of innocence that turns savage. Boyz N the Hood meets Lord of the Flies.

Paines Plough and Latitude Festival present With a Little Bit of Luck 9.25 - 10.25pm

Rhythmically underscored by a live mix of old-school UK Garage, award-winning writer Sabrina Mahfouz explores the legacy of a cultural movement that defined the hopes of a generation.

Sunday 7 August, Latitude Festival

Sam Halmarack - Always and Totally Forever 12 - 1pm

Always and Totally Forever is a new devised musical about teenagers, created by musician and theatre-maker Sam Halmarack. It's a lament for what's gone and a chaotic celebration of what's to come. Halmarack has been working with Dan Canham (Still House), Olivia Winteringham (KILN) and groups of young people to create a bewildering mosaic of the most exciting and terrifying times of our lives.

Michael Rosen 1.30 - 2.15pm

Former children's poet laureate Michael Rosen charms audiences with his stories, gestures and engaging sound effects. An experience for all ages and one not to be missed, the story-teller wows audiences at the River Stage festival this summer.

Musical Bingo 2.30 - 3.30pm

Just like regular bingo, but instead of shouting out numbers Musical Bingo play songs. Each round takes on a different theme of song choices, based on decade, genre or a just a random quirky topic. Expect twists along the way, like the 'multi-choice mystery boxes', and the chance to gamble your grand prize winnings on the 'Killer Question'. What will you decide to do?

Swing Patrol Dance Class 4 - 5pm

A community of passionate dancers who love everything vintage are set to entertain you. Excited about dancing at the River Stage festival this troupe will present brilliant performances and invite you to get on board and enjoy the swinging fun.

All acts are subject to change. For further information, and for the full line-up of events during the River Stage festival, please go to: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/river-stage-weekends