The National Theatre has announced casting for two of the rehearsed readings in its Queer Theatre event series, Neaptide and Wig Out!, including Jessica Raine and Alexia Khadime.
Hosted in partnership with Pride in London, the events invite a group of world-class actors and directors to explore how theatre has charted the LGBT+ experience through a series of rehearsed readings and post-show discussions in the Lyttelton Theatre across 6 – 10 July.
The first in the series of rehearsed readings is Sarah Daniels’ Neaptide. Directed by Sarah Frankcom, Neaptide (Thursday 6 July, 7.30pm) was the National Theatre’s first full-length play by a female playwright, presenting a ferocious but funny account of the public and private battles of a lesbian mother in the 1980s, who, having recently come out to her family, faces a bitter custody battle and uncertainty over her teaching career.
The show will be performed by Ronke Adekoluejo (Val), Adjoa Andoh (Beatrice), Simon Armstrong (Sid & Cyril), Thomas Arnold (Colin & Roger), Maureen Beattie (Joyce), Morfydd Clark (Poppy & Terri), Karla Crome (Diane), Helena Lymbery (Anette & Marion), Sarah Niles (Linda) and Jessica Raine (Claire).
This will be followed by Wig Out! on Friday 7 July, 7.30pm. Written and directed by Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight), events seem like a good old-fashioned boy meets boy fairy tale when Eric meets Wilson – but when Wilson reveals his drag alter-ego Nina, questions of masculinity come to the fore, in this big, bold and riotous play that looks at gender, drag and fabulousness.
The performance features Tarell Alvin McCraney (Rey Rey), Arun Blair-Mangat (directions), Tunji Kasim (Eric), Alexia Khadime (Fate), Kadiff Kirwan (Ms Nina), Abiona Omonua (Faith), Jonjo O’Neill (Serena), Tom Rhys-Harries (Loki), Ukweli Roach (Lucian), Cat Simmons (Fay) and Craig Stein (Venus).
Casting is still to be revealed for Certain Young Men (Saturday 8 July, 7.30pm), written and directed by Peter Gill; Bent (Sunday 9 July, 2.30pm) by Martin Sherman, directed by Stephen Daldry; and The Drag (Monday 10 July, 7.30pm) by Mae West, directed by Polly Stenham.
For more information on the Queer Theatre event series, click here.