This autumn, Simon Russell Beale is gearing up for a return to the Donmar Warehouse (where he previously had award-winning success with Sam Mendes’ farewell double bill of Twelfth Night and Uncle Vanya) and its revival of Christopher Hampton’s The Philanthropist. But Whatsonstage.com hears that, next year, he’s likely to be back at the National, playing the title character in a new production of The Life of Galileo. Bertolt Brecht’s 1943 play is set in the 17th century, when Galileo Galilei's revolutionary views and scientific discoveries made him infamous in Italy and across Europe. His teachings on the Sun being the centre of the universe - not Earth - drastically challenged the ruling Christian dogma, and the Inquisition arrested him. When threatened by torture he recanted his theories and was branded a coward by those who had supported him. Brecht's play questions the responsibility of the scientist and his discoveries to society and the state. Beale’s many previous credits at the National have included Humble Boy, Jumpers, Money, Summerfolk, Hamlet, Candide, Volpone and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.
Whatsonstage.com - Discount London theatre tickets, theatre news and reviews, Theatre videos, Theatre discussion, National Theatre Listings. Covering London's West End, all of Theatreland and all UK theatre. The best
for London Theatre Ticket Discounts.
