Infinite Life
a new play by Annie Baker
a co-production with Atlantic Theater Company
Booking and details
Dorfman Theatre
National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
A minute of this is an infinity
Five women in Northern California lie outside on chaise longues and philosophise.
Annie Baker’s (The Flick, The Antipodes) new play is a surprisingly funny inquiry into the complexity of suffering, and what it means to desire in a body that’s failing you.
James Macdonald (The Welkin, John) directs this bold, dreamlike story, direct from a run at the Tony Award®-winning Atlantic Theater Company in New York.
‘Annie Baker is one of the most singular talents in modern theatre.’
Guardian
Performed 22 November 2023 — 13 January 2024 in the Dorfman Theatre.
Reviews
★★★★★
‘Extraordinary.’
Time Out
‘Utterly engrossing. A terrific play.’
Whats On Stage
‘Absorbing. Baker is meticulous and mighty.’
The Observer
‘Beguiling. A richly satisfying piece about hungry women.’
Arts Desk
‘An exquisite and funny portrait of women.’
The Times
‘James Macdonald directs, patiently and beautifully.’
Daily Telegraph
‘Exquisitely acted and intensely humane.’
Evening Standard
‘Profound. Quietly riveting and stealthily moving work.’
The Stage
Supporters
The New American Work Programme is supported by Lawton W Fitt & James I McLaren Foundation.
Gallery
Production images
Suitability
Please note: this production contains adult themes and language and content of a sexual nature. Latecomers will not be admitted to the Circle and Pit.
Read more for detailed content warnings.
- Discussions of illness including cancer
- Discussions of pain and descriptions of suffering
Cast
Marylouise Burke
Marylouise Burke is an American actress.
Mia Katigbak
Mia Katigbak is an actor-manager and a co-founder of the National Asian American Theatre Company.
Christina Kirk
Christina Kirk is an affiliated artist of Clubbed Thumb, and the founding associate artist of the Civillians.
Kristine Nielsen
Kristine Nielsen is an American actress known for her work on Broadway and Off-Broadway.
Brenda Pressley
Brenda Pressley is an American actress.
Pete Simpson
Pete Simpson is an American actor with a diverse background in theatre, film and television.
Production team
Playwright
Annie Baker
Annie Baker
Annie Baker is a playwright, screenwriter, director and costume designer.
Director
James Macdonald
James Macdonald
James Macdonald is a British theatre and film director.
Set Designer
dots
dots
dots is an international multidisciplinary design collective creating environments for theatre, film, commercials and immersive experiences. The collective is made up of Santiago Orjuela-Laverde, Andrew Moerdyn and Kimie Nishikawa.
Costume Designer
Ásta Bennie Hostetter
Ásta Bennie Hostetter
Ásta Bennie Hostetter is a costume designer and director.
Lighting Designer
Sound Designer
Props Designer
Movement Director
Sasha Milavic Davies
Sasha Milavic Davies
Sasha Milavic Davies is a director, choreographer and dramaturg. She is associate dramaturg at the National Theatre, co-founder of The Yard and associate at Complicité.
Wig Designer and Original Make-up Design
Alfreda ‘Fre’ Howard
Alfreda ‘Fre’ Howard
Alfreda ‘Fre’ Howard is the owner of Faces By Fre, LLC’ and designs make-up and hair for theatre, film and television.
Associate Sound Designer
Nathan Rubio
Nathan Rubio
Nathan Rubio is a New York City-based sound designer and engineer.
Staff Director
Georgia Green
Georgia Green
For the National Theatre: The Grapes of Wrath and Infinite Life
Illustration by Sam Green.