Say what you will about movie stars on stage (is it stunt casting? Are they getting back to basics as actors?), there’s something indefinably exciting about seeing some of the biggest stars right in front of you, on stage, in a theatrical production. And among the megastars in Hollywood’s upper echelons, few seem to gravitate back towards theatre as much as Paul Mescal.
Throughout his career, Mescal has taken to the stage for a number of productions – whilst also finding fame across TV, streaming, and the silver screen. Most recently, he starred in a 2023 West End production of ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’. And now, it’s been announced that he will join the National Theatre’s 2027 repertory cast and tread the boards in 2 plays.
Paul Mescal on stage in London
In 2027, Paul Mescal will join the cast of two productions at the National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre.
Mescal will star in a production of Arthur Miller’s ‘Death of a Salesman’. He will also join the repertory cast in a production of Tom Murphy’s ‘A Whistle in the Dark’. The latter is expected to play at Ireland’s Abbey Theatre, following its National Theatre run, as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival.
These productions are slated to take place in the summer/autumn of 2027.
The news comes as the National Theatre unveils its roster of productions for 2027. As well as the Paul Mescal-starring shows, other exciting announcements include:
- ‘Mr Loverman’ – based on the novel by Bernardine Evaristo
- ‘Suddenly Last Summer’ – starring Emma Corrin (The Crown)
- ‘West Side Story’ – a major revival of the Broadway classic
- ‘Plenty’ – starring Emilia Clarke in her National Theatre debut
- ‘Ghostlight’ – a new immersive production from award-winning theatre company Punchdrunk
- ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead’ – starring BAFTA-winning actor Mawaan Rizwan alongside SNL UK’s George Fouracres.
Said Indhu Rubasingham, Director and Co-Chief Executive:
“Next year’s programme brings together a remarkable range of work that looks across the last century to explore the perspectives, cultures and conflicts that continue to shape our world.
“Some of these stories are unfamiliar, some are rediscovered, and others are boldly reimagined for the times we are living in. From new musicals and immersive theatre, to filmed productions translated into local languages and plays interwoven in repertory, each of these shows is shaped by extraordinary artists and united by themes of resilience and hope.”
