Man and Superman

Ralph Fiennes returns to the National as Jack Tanner in Simon Godwin's reinvention of Bernard Shaw's witty, provocative classic.

The cast also includes Tim McMullan and Indira Varma (as Ann). The production will be designed by Christopher Oram, with lighting by James Farncombe, music by Michael Bruce, movement by Jonathan Goddard and sound by Christopher Shutt.

A romantic comedy, an epic fairytale, a fiery philosophical debate, MAN AND SUPERMAN asks fundamental questions about how we live. Jack Tanner, celebrated radical thinker and rich bachelor, seems an unlikely choice as guardian to the alluring heiress, Ann. But she takes it in her assured stride, and, despite the love of a poet, she decides to marry and tame this dazzling revolutionary. Tanner, appalled by the whiff of domesticity, is tipped off by his chauffeur and flees to Spain, where he is captured by bandits and meets The Devil. An extraordinary dream-debate, heaven versus hell, ensues. Following in hot pursuit, Ann is there when Tanner awakes, as fierce in her certainty as he is in his.