Lenny Henry to make National Theatre debut

Henry will play one half of a set of twins in the Shakespearean comedy

Comedian Lenny Henry is to make his National Theatre debut later this year in Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors.

The production marks a return to the Bard's work for the 53-year-old, who previously played Othello in 2009.

Henry will play Antipholus of Syracuse in the comedy, in which two sets of twins separated at birth meet.

Dominic Cooke, artistic director of the Royal Court in London, will direct the play, which runs in the National's Olivier theatre from 22 November.

The production will be broadcast to cinemas worldwide on 1 March 2012.

Henry won the 2009 Evening Standard Outstanding Newcomer award for his work in Othello after the show - first staged at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds - transferred to London.

The Dudley-born comic is a familiar face on TV thanks to his comedy roles, including the BBC sitcom Chef.

The National's other forthcoming productions include a revival of Juno and the Paycock, starring Sinead Cusack and Ciaran Hinds.

November will also see a new play by John Hodge - screenwriter of Danny Boyle films Shallow Grave and Trainspotting - open in the National's Cottesloe theatre.

Simon Russell Beale and Alex Jennings lead the cast of Collaborators, playing Josef Stalin and Russian playwright Mikhail Bulgakov respectively.

The play will be directed by Sir Nicholas Hytner, director of the National Theatre.