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The Confessions

a new play by Alexander Zeldin
An A Zeldin Company / Compagnie A Zeldin Production
Co-Commissioned by The National Theatre, RISING Melbourne and Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg

A figure with one arm outstretched, their body and head wreathed in billowing red material, stands in front of a low-rise building with no doors or windows.

Booking and details

19 October — 4 November 2023
This show has now ended
The event location is

Lyttelton Theatre

National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX

An intimate portrait of a life

Australia 1943 to London 2021, and everything in between.

Alice is learning to be herself against the times. But how do the times shape who we are?

Playing out over a tumultuous eight decades, Alice’s complex relationships become a common thread in her personal journey, in this intimate portrait of a life.

Alexander Zeldin (LOVE, Faith, Hope and Charity) returns to the National Theatre with this international collaboration. Inspired by conversations with his mother and her peers, he brings to life a story of a woman’s attempts to be herself against the pressures of the time. The cast includes Eryn Jean Norvill and Pamela Rabe making their UK stage debuts, and music composed by Yannis Philippakis (Foals). 

Performed 19 October — 4 November 2023 in the Lyttelton Theatre.

A co-production with Wiener Festwochen, Comédie de Genève, Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe, Centro Cultural de Belém, Théâtre de Liège, Festival d’Avignon, Festival d’Automne à Paris, Athens Epidaurus Festival, Piccolo Teatro di Milano – Teatro d’Europa, Adelaide Festival and Centre Dramatique National de Normandie-Rouen.

Supporters

With thanks to the Arete Foundation, who support the National Theatre to make work that is ambitious and socially relevant.

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Suitability

Age guidance: 15+
Please note: This play contains male and female nudity and off-stage depiction of sexual violence which people may find distressing. Loud music is played during the scene changes.

Cast

Production team

Director

Alexander Zeldin

Set and Costume Designer

Marg Horwell

Marg Horwell

Choreographer and Movement Director

Imogen Knight

Imogen Knight

Lighting Designer

Paule Constable

Paule Constable

Composer

Yannis Philippakis

Yannis Philippakis

Sound Design

Josh Anio Grigg

Josh Anio Grigg

Casting

Jacob Sparrow

Jacob Sparrow

Australian Casting

Serena Hill

Serena Hill

Associate Director

Joanna Pidcock

Joanna Pidcock

Dramaturgy

Faye Merralls

Dramaturgy

Sasha Milavic Davies

Sasha Milavic Davies

Voice Director

Cathleen McCarron

Cathleen McCarron

Dialect Coach

Louise Jones

Dialect Coach

Jenny Kent

 

 

Photography by Tania Franco Klein.