National Theatre Brings Mike Leigh's Two Thousand Years Back for Brief Run

The National Theatre is bringing its hit production of Mike Leigh's Two Thousand Years back for a brief return engagement. This time the play will be housed at the Lyttelton Theatre as opposed to the much smaller Cottesloe space, where it previously played.

Two Thousand Years centers on secular Jewish parents struggling to cope with their son's fierce new dedication to the Hebrew faith. The cast includes John Burgess, Ben Caplan, Allan Corduner, Simon Schatzberger, Caroline Gruber, Nitzan Sharron, Tracy-Ann Oberman and Alexis Zegerman. The author serves as the director.

Two Thousand Years ran at the Cottesloe from September 8 through January 31, receiving mixed to positive reviews. The Guardian's Michael Billington said of the show then: "This is a passionate, funny, moving and well-observed play. And Alison Chitty's design, with its Picasso and Matisse prints on the walls, its piled-up DVDs and its Ikea furniture, is as socially and physically accurate as the writing. But what I admire most is Leigh's ability to link family life with the big issues of the day and to suggest that, whatever the crises that surround us, we all need something in which to believe."

Before it returns to the National in March, Two Thousand Years will have a U.K. tour, starting February 7 in Bath. Other dates are scheduled at The Lowry in Salford, Theatre Royal Newcastle, Warwick Arts Center, Malvern Theatres and Cambridge Arts Theatre.

Two Thousand Years will begin performances at the Lyttelton on March 25. It is currently scheduled to run there through April 8 only.