(AGENPARL) – Mon 09 February 2026 Image
 Monday 9 February 2026
REHEARSALS BEGIN FOR WINSOME PINNOCK’S NEW PLAY
THE AUTHENTICATOR
AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE
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As previously announced, casting includes Rakie Ayola as Abi, Sylvestra Le Touzel as Fen and Cherrelle Skeete as Marva.
This house is full of secrets
Soon after inheriting her family’s stately home, eccentric artist Fenella Harford discovers a stash of hidden diaries and enlists a young academic, Marva, to confirm their authenticity.
Joined by Marva’s brilliant but overlooked mentor, Abi, the three women come together to seek the truth, soon realising that secrets at the heart of Harford Hall were darker than they could have imagined.
Joining director Miranda Cromwell in the artistic team is set designer Jon Bausor, costume designer Kinnetia Isidore, lighting designer Aideen Malone, sound designer Tingying Dong, composer Femi Temowo, movement director Shelley Maxwell, casting director Alastair Coomer CDG, voice coach Hazel Holder and staff director Dubheasa Lanipekun.
Playing in the Dorfman theatre from 26 March to 9 May 2026, press performance on Thursday 2 April 2026.
ENDS
Production
Theatre
Dates
Press Night
Publicist
The Authenticator
Dorfman theatre
26 March to 9 May 2026
Thursday 2 April 2026
Assisted performances of The Authenticator at the National Theatre:
Captioned Performances: Monday 27 April 2026 – 7.30pm, Thursday 7 May 2026 7.30pm
Audio Described (with touch tours taking place 90 minutes before the show): Saturday 18 April 2026 – 2.30pm
Integrated BSL : Thursday 23 April 2026 – 7.30pm, Monday 4 May 2026 – 7.30pm
Relaxed performance: Wednesday 6 May 2026 – 7.30pm
With thanks
This is an Edgerton New Plays Commission. The commissioning of this work was also supported by the Sir Peter Shaffer Charitable Foundation.
About the National Theatre
The National Theatre makes theatre that entertains and inspires using its creativity, expertise and unique reach. The National Theatre shares unforgettable stories with millions of audience members across the UK and around the world – on its own stages, on tour, in schools, on cinema screens and streaming at home.  
World-leading artists make their best work at the National Theatre with the widest possible audience and impact. The National Theatre invests in talent and innovation on stage and off, taking seriously its role as the nation’s theatre. Of the new productions developed each year with a wide range of theatre companies, a third of that research and development resource is dedicated to shows staged at theatres outside London.  
Through touring our work to local theatres and schools and nationwide education and community programmes, we are active in every local authority in the UK. A registered charity with deeply embedded social purpose, the National Theatre works with hundreds of schools and communities across the UK to fire imagination and inspire creativity, and to develop skills and pathways for careers in theatre.  
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National Theatre Live Limited, National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX United Kingdom