David Oyelowo, Meera Syal, Emma D’Arcy lead the National Theater Slate

David Oyelowo, Meera Syal, Emma D’Arcy and Tobias Menzies are among the actors leading a trio of autumn productions at Britain’s National Theater in London.

At the National Theater’s Olivier Theater, David Oyelowo (“Selma”) will play the title role of Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus,” directed by Lyndsey Turner (“Under Milk Wood”). In the play, Coriolanus is Rome’s greatest soldier. When a legendary victory brings with it the chance of a high office, he is persuaded to stand for election. But while populist politicians tell the people what they want to hear, Coriolanus refuses to play the game. As Rome’s most celebrated warrior becomes his most dangerous enemy, the future of the city and its hero hang in the balance.

The cast also includes Luke Aquilina, Anushka Chakravarti, Anton Cross, Patrick Elue, Peter Forbes, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Conor McLeod, Jordan Metcalfe, Richard Pryal, Jordan Rhys, Stephanie Street and John Vernon. The play runs from September 11 to November. 9.

At the National Theater’s Dorfman Theater, Meera Syal (“Behind the Beautiful Forevers”) will lead the world premiere of Tanika Gupta’s (“A Doll’s House”) “A Tupperware of Ashes,” a family drama about life, immigration and Indian spirituality . cycle of death and rebirth, directed by Pooja Ghai (“The Empress”).

In the play, an ambitious Michelin star chef is used to having the last word. But when her children notice gaps in her memory and her grip on reality loosens, they are faced with an impossible choice. As they struggle to reconcile their lifelong duty to their mother, the consequences of their decision take on heartbreaking lasting power. The cast also includes Raj Bajaj, Natalie Dew, Marc Elliott, Stephen Fewell, Shobna Gulati, Avita Jay, Meera Syal and Zubin Varla.

Following the play’s run from September 25 to November 16, the Dorfman Theater will close for infrastructure work, made possible by UK government investment in the spring budget.

The National Theater’s Lyttelton Theater stars Lee Braithwaite (“Cowbois”), Emma D’Arcy (“House of the Dragon”), Jeremy Killick (“The Confessions”), Tobias Menzies (“Game of Thrones”) and Nina Sosanya (“Love Actually”) will star in a new play inspired by “Antigone” titled “The Other Place,” in collaboration with A Zeldin Company.

Plays from September 27 to November. 9, “The Other Place” is written and will be directed by Alexander Zeldin (“The Confessions”). In the play, two sisters reunite on the anniversary of their father’s death. Their uncle renovated their parental home in an attempt to make a fresh start. But the sudden return of a sister threatens to shatter this fragile idyll as she demands justice for the pain she carries.

Rufus Norris, director of the National Theatre, said: “These shows are an example of what we try to do here at the National Theater: re-examine the classics with Lyndsey Turner’s fresh take on Shakespeare’s ‘Coriolanus’ at the Olivier; reimagine old stories in new plays that appeal to today’s audiences with Alexander Zeldin’s ‘The Other Place’ after ‘Antigone’ at the Lyttelton; and staging new work by contemporary voices with Tanika Gupta’s ‘A Tupperware of Ashes’ starring Meera Syal in the central role at the Dorfman Theatre. It’s a rich slate that explores resonant stories and I can’t wait to share them with you all.”