Hollywood actor Clive Owen and Saskia Reeves will star in End, a new play by David Eldridge, opening at the National Theatre’s Dorfman Theatre this November.
The final instalment in Eldridge’s critically acclaimed trilogy exploring love and relationships, End follows Beginning and Middle, both of which received widespread praise for their intimate, emotionally charged storytelling. Directed by Rachel O’Riordan, Artistic Director of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, the production will run from 13 November to 20 December 2025, with the press performance on 20 November.
A Life Well Lived, a Story’s Final Chapter
Described as both touching and funny, End tells the story of Alfie and Julie, a couple whose love has been shaped by music, laughter, and heartache. Now, on an early morning in June, they face the task of writing the final chapter of their journey together.
Owen, best known for his Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Emmy-winning performances in Closer, The Knick, and The Bourne Identity, takes on the role of Alfie. He was last seen on stage in 2019 as Reverend Shannon in The Night of the Iguana at the Noel Coward Theatre and previously starred on Broadway in M. Butterfly and Old Times.
Starring opposite Owen as Julie is Saskia Reeves, currently appearing in the Apple TV+ hit Slow Horses and known for Luther, Shetland, and Our Kind of Traitor. An accomplished stage and screen actor, she was Olivier-nominated in 1998 for her performance in Separation at the Comedy Theatre (now the Harold Pinter Theatre). Reeves has performed at all of London’s major theatres, including the RSC, Royal Court, Almeida, National Theatre, Old Vic, Young Vic, and The Globe.
Creative Team and Production Details
Rachel O’Riordan is joined by an acclaimed creative team, including set and costume designer Gary McCann, lighting designer Sally Ferguson, sound designer Donato Wharton, intimacy director Bethan Clark, and casting director Alastair Coomer CDG.
Playing in the Dorfman Theatre at the National Theatre, End opens on 13 November 2025, with previews beginning earlier in the month.
This latest work from David Eldridge promises to deliver the same emotional depth and poignancy as its predecessors, exploring the complexities of love and the way relationships evolve over time.
? The National Theatre’s latest season features an exciting lineup, including Shaan Sahota’s debut play The Estate, starring BAFTA winner Adeel Akhtar; Suzie Miller’s Inter Alia, led by Rosamund Pike (Saltburn), Jamie Glover (Waterloo Road), and Jasper Talbot (Redlands); and The Land of the Living, starring Juliet Stevenson.
? Full details on the season announcement here.
More about End tickets at the National Theatre.
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