The Power of Yes: A dramatist seeks to understand the financial crisis

Lyttelton Theatre
Previews from 29 September, press night 7 October, continuing in repertoire

On 15 September 2008, capitalism came to a grinding halt. As sub-prime mortgages and toxic securities continued to dominate the headlines, this spring the National Theatre asked David Hare to write an urgent and immediate work to be staged this autumn that sought to find out what had happened, and why.

Meeting with many of the key players from the financial world, David Hare has created THE POWER OF YES: A dramatist seeks to understand the financial crisis, which opens at the Lyttelton Theatre on 7 October, directed by Angus Jackson and designed by Bob Crowley.

It is not so much a play as a jaw-dropping account of how, as the banks went bust, capitalism was replaced by a socialism that bailed out the rich alone.

David Hare has written fourteen original plays for the National Theatre, including Gethsemane, Stuff Happens, The Permanent Way (a co-production with Out of Joint), Amy’s View, Skylight, The Secret Rapture, The Absence of War, Murmuring Judges, Racing Demon, Pravda (written with Howard Brenton) and Plenty.  He recently performed his companion pieces Berlin and Wall – meditations on Germany’s restored capital and  the Israel/Palestine separation barrier – at the National and Royal Court respectively.

Angus Jackson has directed Elmina’s Kitchen and Fix Up at the National;  his productions also include Wallenstein, Funny Girl, The Waltz of the Toreadors, The Father and Carousel at Chichester, where he is Season Associate Director.

There will be 240 £10 tickets for each performance, with the rest at £25 and £35.

Press night:  Wednesday 7 October

Contact:  Lucinda Morrison on 020 7452 3232 or lmorrison@nationaltheatre.org.uk