A Summer They'd Rather Forget

Believing the truth might be harder than uncovering it...Tennessee Williams’ haunting masterpiece comes to the National Theatre as part of the company's biggest season yet! Originally written as part of a double bill with Williams’ one-act Something Unspoken, collectively known as Garden District, Suddenly Last Summer premiered on Broadway in 1958, with Katharine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift starring in the film adaptation that followed in 1959. Like much of Williams’ work, the show doesn't shy away from uncomfortable subjects.

The Crown star Emma Corrin takes on the role of Catharine, opposite Olivier Award-winning actress Harriet Walter as Violet Venable. Returning to the National Theatre for the first time in more than 15 years, director Michael Grandage leads this new production, with designs by Christopher Oram.

What Really Happened Last Summer?

Violet Venable is determined to protect her late son Sebastian's reputation. Her niece Catharine, however, has a very different story about what happened during their final summer together. When Catharine’s memories are questioned, a young doctor is left to decide whose version of events he can believe.