Rufus Wright News

The National Theatre announces new information, and recaps its upcoming season.

It begins with deep breathing, in order to access words that hold unimaginable power. And Ian Rickson's exquisite production of Brian Friel's masterpiece maintains that space throughout: for words to breathe and simmer, to hang in the air, and for us to understand how vital language is not just as a means of communication, but identity, nationality, and a rich heritage at risk of extinction.

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a ground-breaking musical to a mighty modern classic, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld reviews, interviews and features!

Owen, the prodigal son, returns to rural Donegal from Dublin. With him are two British army officers. Their ambition is to create a map of the area, replacing the Gaelic names with English. It is an administrative act with radical consequences.

The National Theatre presents TRANSLATIONS by Brian Friel. Previews begin 22 May, Press night 30 May, until 11 August.

The National Theatre has announced its May-September 2018 season.

New casting announced for the new National Theatre season. Full cast has been announced for Brian Friel's Translations including Colin Morgan and Ciaran Hinds, part of the Travelex season with thousands of tickets available at £15. Eric Kofi Abrefa and Thalissa Teixeira join Vanessa Kirby in the cast of Julie, part of the Travelex season with thousands of tickets available at £15. Sam Mendes directs The Lehman Trilogy, a co-production with Neal Street Productions, cast includes Adam Godley, Ben Miles and Simon Russell Beale. Full casting is announced for the award winning An Octoroon by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, transferring to the National Theatre in a co-production with the Orange Tree Theatre. The NT will tour to 30 venues in 27 towns and cities across the UK and Ireland, for a total of 83 playing weeks over the next year. Rufus Norris' Macbeth to tour to 18 venues across the UK and Ireland from autumn 2018. War Horse returns to the National Theatre marking the centenary of Armistice Day.

Soho Theatre and The Orange Tree Theatre present David Ireland's new play, The End of Hope, a revealing rollercoaster where no taboo is left untouched.

Hampstead Theatre today announces three Hampstead Downstairs Originals which will open this spring.

stufffOn this day in 2015, Academy Award winner Helen Mirren returned to Broadway with a stunning portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in Peter Morgan's The Audience, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Daldry. The production nabbed two Tony Awards, one for Mirren in the Leading Actress in a Play category and the other for Featured Actor in a Play, taken home by Richard McCabe for his portrayal of Harold Wilson.

Peter Morgan's The Audience, starring Helen Mirren and directed by Stephen Daldry, began previews on February 14 and opened on March 8 at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street). The production closes today, June 28, and below, BroadwayWorld takes you back to the play's beginning on the Great White Way!

Academy Award winner Helen Mirren returns to Broadway as Elizabeth II in Peter Morgan's The Audience, which just opened at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Playing one of Her Majesty's twelve Prime Ministers is Rufus Wright, who takes his audience with the Queen nightly as the UK's current PM, David Cameron.

Academy Award winner Helen Mirren returns to Broadway as Elizabeth II in Peter Morgan's The Audience, which just opened at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Playing one of Her Majesty's twelve Prime Ministers is Rufus Wright, who takes his audience with the Queen nightly as the UK's current PM, David Cameron.

Follow along as Wright takes us behind the scenes of The Audience's Broadway journey with 'Diary of an Englishman in New York'. Be sure to check back weekly for his latest installments!

Follow along as Wright takes us behind the scenes of The Audience's Broadway journey with 'Diary of an Englishman in New York'. Be sure to check back weekly for his latest installments!

STARS IN THE ALLEY, presented by United Airlines, was held just yesterday in Shubert Alley, hosted by Darren Criss who is currently playing Hedwig in the 2014 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Revival, Hedwig and the Angry Inch. To add to the festivities leading up to the Tony Awards, the free outdoor concert in the heart of the Theatre District celebrated Broadway with star appearances and exciting performances from over 20 new shows and long-running favorites, accompanied by a 12-piece live orchestra, including many of this year's 2015 Tony Award - nominated plays and musicals! BroadwayWorld was there for the special day and you can check out Part One of our photo coverage below!

STARS IN THE ALLEY, presented by United Airlines, was held just yesterday in Shubert Alley, hosted by Darren Criss who is currently playing Hedwig in the 2014 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Revival, Hedwig and the Angry Inch. To add to the festivities leading up to the Tony Awards, the free outdoor concert in the heart of the Theatre District celebrated Broadway with star appearances and exciting performances from over 20 new shows and long-running favorites, accompanied by a 12-piece live orchestra, including many of this year's 2015 Tony Award - nominated plays and musicals! BroadwayWorld was there for the special day and you can check out photos of all of the stars on the red carpet below! 

Follow along as Wright takes us behind the scenes of The Audience's Broadway journey with 'Diary of an Englishman in New York'. Be sure to check back weekly for his latest installments!

Follow along as Wright takes us behind the scenes of The Audience's Broadway journey with 'Diary of an Englishman in New York'. Be sure to check back weekly for his latest installments!

Sara Ramirez picked the right night to attend THE AUDIENCE.