Alan Bennett’s new play Allelujah! blew critics away when it opened at Bridge Theatre earlier this summer. Now, his first work for six years will be available for the nation to view thanks to National Theatre Live screenings taking place on 1 November.
Set in The Beth – an old-fashioned cradle-to-grave hospital sat at the edge of the Pennines – which is under threat of closure due to an NHS efficiency drive. Its fight for survival and the daily struggle to find beds on the Dusty Springfield Geriatric Ward, and the triumphs of the old people’s choir is captured by a documentary film crew.
Allelujah! is the 10th collaboration between the award-winning duo consisting of Alan and Nicholas Hytner. The pair forms the brains behind the smash hits The History Boys and Madness Of King George III. They first worked together on Bennett’s adaptation of The Wind in the Willows for the National Theatre in 1990.
The ensemble cast of Allelujah! comprises Samuel Barnett (The History Boys), Sam Bond (Coronation Street), Jacqueline Chan (Sherlock), Jacqueline Clarke (Last Of The Summer Wine), Sacha Dhawan (The History Boys), Rosie Ede (A Streetcat Named Bob), Patricia England (Last Of The Summer Wine), Deborah Findlay (Cranford), Peter Forbes (Follies), Julia Foster (Dad’s Army), Manish Gandhi (Driftwood), Colin Haigh (The History Boys), Richie Hart (The Bloody Mary Show), Nadine Higgin (The Lion King), Nicola Hughes (Porgy and Bess), Anna Lindup (Tenko), Louis Mahoney (Holby City), David Moorst (Grantchester), Jeff Rawle (Drop The Dead Donkey), Cleo Sylvestre (Doctors), Gwen Taylor (Heartbeat), Sue Wallace (Coronation Street), Simon Williams (Upstairs, Downstairs), Duncan Wisbey (The Hive) and Gary Wood (Wicked).
The show is designed by Bob Crowley with choreography from Arlene Phillips, lighting by Natasha Chivers and music by George Fenton.
Screenings of this brilliant new play will take place at cinemas nationwide. Tickets for Allelujah! screenings will go on sale soon. Keep an eye on the National Theatre Live website for updates.