The Stage

Young Vic unveils its 40th anniversary season

Published Thursday 8 July 2010 at 12:03 by Natalie Woolman

French director Patrice Chereau is to direct his first UK stage production as part of the Young Vic’s 40th anniversary season.

Chereau, who directed the controversial 1976 production of Wagner’s opera Der Ring des Nibelungen and more recently From The House of the Dead at The New York Metropolitan Opera and La Scala, will direct I Am the Wind by Jon Fosse.

The play, which follows two travellers journeying across an ocean, has been adapted by Simon Stephens, who wrote Punk Rock and Pornography. It will run from April 26 to May 21, 2011, with press night on May 3.

This autumn, the Young Vic will present On Ageing in a co-production with Fevered Sleep. The show is a devised piece that will be performed by children for adults. It plays the Maria from September 27 to October 9, with press night on September 29.

The Young Vic will continue its partnership with English Nation Opera with The Return of Ulysses by Monteverdi in spring next year. The opera will be directed by Benedict Andrews and star Tom Randle as Ulysses and Pamela Helen Stephen as Penelope.

The anniversary season also includes the British premiere of The Human Comedy, with music by the composer of Hair Galt MacDermot, a production of Faust inspired by Goethe with music by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, a revival of Rufus Norris’ production of Vernon God Little by DBC Pierre and children’s show My Dad’s a Birdman.

The venue’s 40th season also marks the beginning of reserved seating in the Young Vic’s main house, and £10 tickets will also be available for main house shows.

Commenting on the season, artistic director David Lan said: “Big stories. Big emotions. Big ideas ‚Äì from around the world. Our work has never been stronger. Our tickets have never been cheaper. . 40 years old and still full of beans.”

The Young Vic opened on September 11, 1970 and was designed to nurture young talent.