The first production pictures of My Brilliant Friend have been released.
The two-part adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s novels will open at the National Theatre next week. April de Angelis’s script has been reworked for the Olivier stage by Melly Still.
Niamh Cusack and Catherine McCormack reprise their roles from the Rose Theatre Kingston production as Lenu and Lila.
When celebrated author Lenu’s friend Lila goes missing, she looks back over a relationship that has lasted more than 60 years, through the danger of post-war Naples to the sexual revolution and changing landscape of their neighbourhood.
The cast also includes Justin Avoth, Adam Burton, Amiera Darwish, Trevor Fox, Danielle Henry, Martin Hyder, Kezrena James, David Judge, Wela Mbusi, Victoria Moseley, Emily Mytton, Al Nedjari, Mary Jo Randle, Jonah Russell, Colin Ryan, John Sandeman, Ira Mandela Siobhan, Badria Timimi, Ben Turner, Emily Wachter, Toby Wharton, and Elizabeth Mary (Em) Williams.
There is a set and costumes by Soutra Gilmour, music by Jim Fortune, lighting by Malcolm Rippeth, sound by John Nicholls, movement by Sarah Dowling, video by Tal Yarden, fight direction by John Sandeman and puppetry direction and design by Toby Olié.
Ferrante’s four-book series, the Neapolitan Novels, has been published in more than 50 countries.
My Brilliant Friend runs at the National Theatre until February 22, nationaltheatre.org.uk
