John Heffernan to star in Saint George and the Dragon at the National Theatre

The National Theatre has announced casting for its production of Rory Mullarkey's new play, Saint George and the Dragon.

John Heffernan (Oppenheimer) will play the titular knight alongside Paul Brennen, Richard Goulding, Tamzin Griffin, Conor Neaves, Amaka Okafor, Daniel Ryan and Grace Saif. Directed by Lyndsey Turner, the piece is described as 'a new folk tale for an uneasy nation'. It runs in the Olivier Theatre from 4 October.

Also announced today is the casting for Beginning, a new play by David Eldridge (Under the Blue Sky). Polly Findlay directs Justine Mitchell (The Plough and the Stars, NT) and Sam Troughton (Buried Child, NT) in this comedy that sees Danny (Troughton) as the last straggler at Laura's (Mitchell) party.

Further news from the South Bank venue includes the return of Inua Ellams' critically acclaimed play Barber Shop Chronicles in November; a ticket ballot for on-stage seating for Network starring Bryan Cranston; NT Live broadcasts for new venue Bridge Theatre's productions of Julius Caesar and Young Marx; and Audrey Brisson joining the cast of Pinocchio as Jiminy Cricket.

Saint George and the Dragon opens on 4 October, Beginning starts on 5 October and Pinocchio on 1 December. Tickets go on sale to the public from 7 July.