Cate Blanchett heads up an award winning cast for the world premiere of Benedict Andrews' Electra/Persona at the Lyttleton at National Theatre. A unique adaptation that brings two classic works into one, Andrews takes Sophocles' Greek tragedy Electra and the seminal 1966 Swedish psychological drama film Persona, turning the pair into one searing new piece of theatre. Starring alongside Blanchett are Nina Hoss (Tar) and Ella Lily Hyland (A Thousand Blows), with music by Hildur Gudnadottir (Joker) and further details to be announced.

American playwright Tracey Scott Wilson's searing contemporary drama makes its British premiere at the Olivier Theatre. Directed by Clint Dyer (Death of England: Closing Time), the production stars BAFTA-winning actress Letitia Wright (Black Panther) making her National Theatre debut after a celebrated screen career, alongside an ensemble including Lorraine Toussaint (Orange is the New Black), Ashley Thomas (Bashy) and Wilf Scolding (Cabaret). Originally running in Manhattan in 2003, The Story is a gripping thriller based on a true story, navigating the risks of telling a story others would rather leave buried.

How I Met Your Mother star Josh Radnor is set to make his West End debut alongside Broadway star Noah Galvin in this new play from Jonathan Caren, with music from singer-songwriter Ben Harper. Following two brothers at opposite ends of the music business, Hit Machine is playwright Caren's exploration of how pop music can move us, even when manufactured, alongside how men tackle feelings of shame and guilt, or "even build entire identities around it."

Music icon Sting stars in his critically acclaimed musical, The Last Ship, in a revised new production, coming to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane this autumn. Featuring original music by The Police frontman himself, The Last Ship is a heartfelt and empowering musical about the shipbuilding community in his home city of Newcastle, as it reached its breaking point in the 1980s. Debuting in Chicago in 2014, the musical has enjoyed runs on Broadway, the West End, and in Australia. Inspired by Sting's own childhood, The Last Ship features some of the Grammy winner's best-loved songs, including "Island of Souls", "All This Time" and "When We Dance".

Fresh off his run in High Noon, Billy Crudup will return to the West End, opposite Gillian Anderson, in this new production of Edward Albee's landmark play, directed by Marianne Elliot (Company, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time). Set over the course of one evening, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf brings us into the heart of the marriage of Martha and George, who invite an unwitting younger couple to an after-party at their home. What begins as a nightcap soon escalates as Martha and George draw their guests into the battleground that is their fractured relationship.

Oscar nominee Ralph Fiennes and Miranda Raison star in Olivier Award-winning David Hare's new play on Victorian theatre at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Diving into the lives of two theatrical giants of the Victorian era, Grace Pervades is directed by Jeremy Herrin and is a fascinating true tale of the forging of British theatre.