Pilot Officer Jack Absolute flies home to win the heart of his old flame, Lydia Languish. But will her guardian Mrs Malaprop approve? A rollicking new WWII comedy based on Sheridan’s The Rivals.

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Two Screenings: Monday 17 October 1pm & Thursday 20 October 7pm

Pilot Officer Jack Absolute flies home to win the heart of his old flame, Lydia Languish. But will her guardian Mrs Malaprop approve? A rollicking new WWII comedy based on Sheridan’s The Rivals.

Love is in the air. July 1940. After an aerial dog fight, Pilot Officer Jack Absolute flies home to re-join his intrepid young Hurricane squadron at RAF Fontwell (formerly Malaprop Hall) and to win the heart of his old flame, Lydia Languish.

Back on British soil, Jack’s advances soon turn to anarchy when the young heiress demands to be loved on her own, very particular, terms.

A rollicking new comedy by Richard Bean (One Man Two Guvnors, The Duke) and Oliver Chris (Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream).

Emily Burns directs this spectacularly entertaining new version of Sheridan’s The Rivals, with a cast featuring Caroline Quentin as Mrs Malaprop and Laurie Davidson as Jack Absolute.  

Think you know your penguin from your skipper? Here’s your fun guide to RAF slang to help transport you back to the 1940s.

*****   “A rare blast of sunshine”  Daily Mail

*****  “An enormously loveable show”  Sunday Times

*****«  “An absolute riot”  Daily Express

****  “Uproarious mix of filth, derring-do and romance”  Evening Standard

Click here to view our other NT Live screenings


Duration: 3 hours, including an interval.

A screening of the 2022 NT Live broadcast from the National’s Olivier Theatre.

Jack Absolute Flies Again contains: strong language, sexual references, and battle sequences containing strobe and flashing lights, gun shots and depiction of conflict.


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  • For patrons with mobility difficulties and Companion Card holders please call our Box Office on 07 4122 6060 Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm to enquire or make your booking.

     

     

     

     

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