Sondheim’s Here We Are to have UK premiere at the National Theatre

The UK premiere of Sondheim’s final musical Here We Are has been announced as part of Rufus Norris’s last season as Director of the National Theatre.

First staged at Off-Broadway’s The Shed in 2023, where the production was described by Musicals magazine’s reviewer Thom Geier as ‘first-rate, with an incomparable cast’, Here We Are was inspired by two of Luis Buñuel’s iconic films: The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie and The Exterminating Angel. The social-satirical musical, with music and lyrics by Sondheim and a book by David Ives, was directed by Joe Mantello, who also directs this new production at the Lyttelton theatre from April 2025 – albeit with the same creative team as in New York. Tracie Bennett and Denis O’Hare, described by Geier as ‘chameleonic’ in their ability to ‘embody a series of varyingly apologetic servants and gatekeepers’, both reprise their roles in the new production. They’re joined by Rory Kinear and other cast members, yet to be announced.

This exciting staging of Sondheim’s final work follows the huge success of Follies (2017, starring Imelda Staunton) and further establishes the National Theatre as the UK home of the legendary composer’s work.

Tracie Bennett (Credit: Adam Price), Denis O'Hare (Credit: Alexander Berg) and Rory Kinnear

Another musical, London Road, has also been announced for Norris’s 10^th and final season (before Indhu Rubasingham succeeds him, working alongside Kate Varah). Originally developed and performed at the National Theatre in 2011, the innovative award-winning musical by Alecky Blythe and Adam Cork, to be directed by Norris at the Olivier theatre from June 2025, explores how an Ipwsich community grapples with finding itself at the epicentre of tragedy. Casting is still to be announced for the show, which will be captured for a future streaming release on National Theatre at Home.

Said Norris: ‘Leading the creative powerhouse that is the National Theatre over the past decade has been a profound privilege. I am humbled by the commitment, dedication and passion shown day in and day out by the extraordinary people who have joined me in the mission to make the NT a representative, sustainable, world class theatre, reaching far beyond its concrete walls. There is simply nowhere else like it on earth. I can’t wait to watch from the wings as it flourishes and grows for future generations to enjoy under the brilliant leadership of Indhu Rubasingham and Kate Varah.’

Here We are is playing at the Lyttelton theatre from 23 April to 28 June 2025; London Road is playing at the Olivier theatre from 5 June to 21 June 2025 – for tickets to both, on sale from 16 October, visit nationaltheatre.org.uk

Tracie Bennett (centre) in the original Off-Broadway production at The Shed in 2023 (Credit: Emilio Madrid)