29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Paul Mescal to star in A Whistle in the Dark in Dublin's Abbey Theatre and London's National Theatre
Both 20th century plays will take place in the Lyttelton Theatre, and focus on dysfunctional family relationships, the struggle for identity, and societal and familial expectations.
Co-Director of the Abbey Theatre, Artistic Director Caitríona McLaughlin said: 'It is very meaningful for us at the Abbey Theatre to have such fulsome engagement in this next chapter of the National Theatre of Great Britain. It will be an honour to bring The Playboy of the Western World and A Whistle in the Dark before audiences in London. Every generation deserves to see these two seminal works of the Irish canon.'
The productions will take place as part of National Theatre co-chief executive Indhu Rubasingham's inaugural programme, with dates for the performances yet to be announced.
Tom Murphy play A Whistle In The Dark will be directed by Caitriona McLaughlin, while Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman will be directed by Rebecca Frecknall.
Further casting and ticket sale dates will be announced in due course.
Speaking about the new programme, Rubasingham said: 'The National Theatre is a very special place at the heart of our national discourse, and I am incredibly proud to be its seventh director.
'I am so excited about everything to come, and the wealth of projects and artists announced today.
'The National Theatre is a beacon of creativity, humanity and possibilities. It holds the stories of so many people who have made this place mean so much to so many.
'This is just the beginning, a flavour of what's to come, the start of the next chapter.'
The National Theatre will also work with rapper Stormzy on a production.
The news about Mescal came after it was announced the 29-year-old will play Paul McCartney in four films directed by Sam Mendes about The Beatles.
He shot to stardom during the pandemic for his role as love interest Connell Waldron in BBC miniseries Normal People, based on the novel of the same name by Irish author Sally Rooney.
Mescal also won an Olivier Award for a stage adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire, before starring in Gladiator II, directed by Sir Ridley Scott, as an arena fighter who tries to bring down two maniacal emperors.
