A playful exploration of gender and sexuality
Caryl Churchill’s landmark play which will be staged at the National Theatre. Dominic Cooke reunites with multi-award-winning Churchill to direct a bold new production that brings fresh urgency to this daring and satirical classic.
First performed in 1979, Cloud 9, with its audacious theatricality and razor-sharp wit, continues to challenge how we think about gender, power and the legacies of empire.
In Victorian Africa, where Clive is a colonial administrator and patriarch, his wife, son and servant struggle to be what’s expected of them.
When the family turn up a hundred years later in 70s London, what can they make of themselves in a world where empire lingers and freedom calls?
Dominic Cooke said:
Caryl Churchill has been an inspiration to me for decades. Her ability to bring complex current ideas to life in groundbreaking theatrical forms is second to none. Of her early plays, Cloud Nine is one of my favourites: by turns hilarious, insightful and astute. Its formally playful exploration of gender and sexuality was decades ahead of its time and still feels as fresh and pertinent as ever. I can’t wait to bring this brilliant cast onto the Lyttelton stage and share Caryl’s unique vision with National Theatre audiences.
As previously announced cast includes Rebecca Humphries, as Ellen/Mrs Saunders/Lin, Eloka Ivo as Joshua/Gerry, Tom Mothersdale as Harry Bagley/Martin, Charlotte Ritchie as Maud/Victoria, Ellen Robertson as Edward/Betty, Stuart Thompson as Betty/Edward and Sam Troughtonas Clive/Cathy.
They are joined by Tom Brace-Jenkins as understudy Betty/Edward, Izaak Cainer as understudy Clive/Cathy, Dan Furlonger as understudy Harry Bagley/Martin, Skye Hallam as understudy Maud/Victoria and Ellen/ Mrs S/Lin, Meg Lewis as understudy Edward/Betty and Ola Teniola as understudy Joshua/Gerry.
Lyttelton theatre, National Theatre Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
Dates: 2 November – 13 January 2027
To book online visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
