George Mackay, Simon Russell Beale & More Announced For BENT At National Theatre

The National Theatre will mark the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales by staging its first Queer Theatre event series from 6 - 10 July 2017.

A group of world-class actors and directors will look at how theatre has charted the LGBT+ experience through a series of rehearsed readings and post-show discussions in the Lyttelton Theatre.

The fourth play in the NT's Queer Theatre series of rehearsed readings is Bent by Martin Sherman (1979), directed by Stephen Daldry on Sunday 9th July 2.30pm.

Following Nazi Germany's Night Of The Long Knives in 1934, gay lovers Max and Rudy are taken away to Dachau by the Gestapo. Desperate to avoid the dreaded Pink Triangle, Max claims to be Jewish. In amongst the horrors of the Camp, he meets Horst who wears his Pink Triangle with pride.

Cast announced today includes*:

George Mackay, Simon Russell Beale, Giles Terera, Pip Torrens, Paapa Essiedu, John Pfumojena and Adrian Grove.

The NT's Queer Theatre event series is hosted in partnership with Pride in London and includes:

• Neaptide by Sarah Daniels, directed by Sarah Frankcom, Thursday 6 July, 7.30pm
• Wig Out! written and directed by Tarell Alvin McCraney, Friday 7 July, 7.30pm
• Certain Young Men written and directed by Peter Gill, Sat 8 July, 7.30pm
• Bent by Martin Sherman, directed by Stephen Daldry, Sunday 9 July, 2.30pm
• The Drag by Mae West, directed by Polly Stenham, Monday 10 July, 7.30pm.

*Further casting to be announced shortly.

Free post show talks (40 mins) will follow each reading exploring the issues in the plays and in a wider context for the LGBT+ community.

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