First ELECTRA/PERSONA rehearsal images released ahead of 19 August preview

The first rehearsal images for the National Theatre’s ELECTRA/PERSONA have been released ahead of the production’s first public preview at the Lyttelton Theatre on 19 August. LBC reported the first-look images on 12 August and credited them to the National Theatre. Press night is scheduled for 1 September.

The photographs are the material new development, rather than a new casting announcement. The National Theatre’s January 2026 season announcement had already named Cate Blanchett, Nina Hoss and Ella Lily Hyland for the world premiere. The release therefore offers a first view of rehearsals after those performers were confirmed for the production.

The creative premise was also public before the image release. ELECTRA/PERSONA is a new play adapted and directed by Australian-born Benedict Andrews, combining Sophocles’ ELECTRA with Ingmar Bergman’s PERSONA. A May National Theatre announcement confirmed the adaptation, direction, venue and performance period.

Blanchett and Hoss will alternate the linked role tracks Electra/Elisabeth and Clytemnestra/Alma. The announced structure comprises two complete tracks, rather than one shared character: Electra/Elisabeth is one track and Clytemnestra/Alma is the other. According to LBC, that alternating arrangement had been discussed publicly by 30 July.

LBC’s first-look report also supplies two further role allocations. It identifies Ella Lily Hyland as Chrysothemis/Reader and Patrick Robinson as Aegisthus/Husband. The reported alternation applies to Blanchett and Hoss, while Hyland and Robinson are each listed with their own paired roles.

Blanchett and Hoss previously appeared together in TÁR. Their reunion is relevant background to ELECTRA/PERSONA, but it was not disclosed for the first time with the rehearsal images. Both performers had been announced in January, and the alternating concept was public before LBC’s 12 August report. The current update is the release of the rehearsal photography as previews approach.

As of 15 August, public previews had not begun. The first is scheduled for 19 August, so the released material is rehearsal photography rather than imagery from a public performance. The production’s press night follows on 1 September. Those dates should remain distinct: 19 August is the first preview, not the press night.

The National Theatre has scheduled ELECTRA/PERSONA in the Lyttelton Theatre from 19 August to 10 October. The Lyttelton is at the National Theatre on London’s South Bank, rather than in a commercial theatre geographically within the West End.

The production has direct Australian relevance through Blanchett and Andrews. Andrews is responsible for both the adaptation and direction, while Blanchett is one of the two performers in the alternating role structure.

Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com