Nunn to Direct National's Oklahoma! in July

The much-anticipated Royal National Theatre production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! is confirmed for a 15 July opening in the RNT's Olivier theatre. The Pulitzer prize-winning musical has not had a major London revival since Cameron Mackintosh's production in 1980. This production continues the RNT's tradition of reviving large-scale musicals - a tradition which saw Sir Richard Eyre's production of Guys and Dolls enjoy a highly acclaimed sell-out run last year. Trevor Nunn, who succeeded Eyre as Director of the RNT in October 1997, will direct Oklahoma!. Nunn's recent production of Ibsen's Enemy of the People, starring Sir Ian McKellen, closes at the Olivier this week before returning to the venue in April.

Set in the American West at the turn of the century against a background of conflict between farmers and cattlemen, Oklahoma! tells the story of Laurey and the two rivals for her affections: Curly, a cowboy, and Jud, the hired farmhand. The classic score includes Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin', Surrey with the Fringe on Top and People Will Say We're in Love as well as the rousing title song. No casting decisions have yet been made.

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