Samira Tickets at the National Theatre's Dorfman
May Calamawy plays the title role in Samira, a new play by Carmen Nasr set in Damascus in 2011, during the Arab Spring. It plays at the National Theatre's Dorfman from 4 February to 13 March 2027. Below: what it's about, what tickets cost, the four earlier 6:30pm starts, where to sit, and the cast.
All-in: the price you pick is the price you pay.
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Who's Samira For?
- Fans of May Calamawy from Moon Knight and Ramy, seeing her on stage in the National's smallest theatre.
- People who like political drama: this one is set in Damascus in 2011.
- Anyone who remembers the Arab Spring, or wants to understand it.
What's Samira About?
It's 2011, and the protests have reached Damascus. Samira is at the centre of them: radical, charismatic and very funny, posting her own account of what is happening as it happens. In London, a group of academics read every word and follow the revolution through her, until she disappears.
The National calls it thrilling, funny and provocative, and says it is about authenticity, political upheaval and the pursuit of truth. It is inspired by real events.
What Tickets Cost
Tickets run from around £25 up to around £95, and most seats are around £45 to around £70. Fridays and Saturdays start from around £30. The National's prices can change with demand, and we can tell you which seats sit in which band for your date.
Performance Schedule
Evenings start at 7:30pm and matinees at 2:30pm. Four evenings start an hour earlier:
| Date | Start |
|---|---|
| Thursday 18 February | 6:30pm |
| Tuesday 23 February | 6:30pm |
| Thursday 25 February | 6:30pm |
| Tuesday 9 March | 6:30pm |
Pick your date on the calendar and we'll show you every performance with seats left.
Best Seats for Samira
Every production in the Dorfman gets its own seating layout, and the one for Samira hasn't been published. We can explain how the Dorfman's seating works, but not yet which seats suit this play. Call us and we'll tell you what's on sale for your date.
Cast and Creative Team
May Calamawy is Samira and Joshua McGuire plays Dan, with Lily Olufemi-Bywaters, Sirine Saba, Karim Saleh and Antonia Salib.
Written by Carmen Nasr, directed by Emily Burns.
Book Your Samira Tickets
From around £25 up to around £95. All-in: the price you pick is the price you pay.
Book tickets • Call us on 020 7193 9050
Dates & tickets
FAQs
4 February to 13 March 2027, at the Dorfman.
May Calamawy, whom you may know from Moon Knight and Ramy. Joshua McGuire plays Dan.
The National hasn't published a running time yet.
It's inspired by real events, and it's set during the 2011 protests in Damascus. The National hasn't said which events.
The National hasn't given age guidance or content warnings for this production yet. Its general rule applies: under-4s aren't allowed into the auditorium, and children aged 12 and under must come with an adult.
No latecomer policy has been published for Samira yet, so aim to be there 30 minutes early.
From around £25 up to around £95, with all-in pricing. Call 020 7193 9050 and we'll find the best seat your budget buys.
Yes: captioned, BSL, audio described and relaxed. The dates are on the Venue and Travel tab.
Where to Sit
The seating layout for Samira hasn't been announced. The Dorfman has no fixed plan: the floor seating is rebuilt from one production to the next, so what suited the last play may not apply to this one.
The three levels stay the same. The Pit is the floor, nearest the stage. The Circle runs round three sides at foyer level. The Gallery is the top level, and it's where the cheapest seats usually are. Which of them suits Samira depends on where the stage goes, and that comes with the plan.
Where each price band sits won't be known until the plan is out. Call 020 7193 9050 and we'll tell you what each band buys on your date.
Dates & tickets
Booking now
Getting to the Dorfman
The National Theatre is on Upper Ground, SE1 9PX. The Dorfman has its own entrance on the east side of the building, a short walk round the side from the main doors on the river, with its own foyer, Box Office and bar. There's more on getting to the Dorfman.
Waterloo is the nearest station, about 6 minutes' walk. Buses 1, 59, 68, 76, 139, 172, 176 and 188 stop on Waterloo Bridge, about 5 minutes away.
Arrive 30 minutes before the start. That's the National's own advice.
For dinner first, the National has its own bars and cafes, and there are restaurants and bars near the National all along the river.
Accessible Performances
- Audio described: Saturday 20 February 2:30pm, Friday 12 March 7:30pm, each with a touch tour beforehand
- Captioned: Friday 26 February 7:30pm, Saturday 27 February 2:30pm, Monday 8 March 7:30pm
- BSL interpreted: Monday 8 March 7:30pm, which is also captioned
- Relaxed: Saturday 6 March 2:30pm
Smart caption glasses aren't available for this production. Access bookings, touch tours and wheelchair spaces are handled by the National's own access team, not by us. The Dorfman's access guide explains how each level is reached.
Address
Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre, Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
Nearest Tube
Waterloo
Samira Cast
| Role | Actor |
|---|---|
| Samira | May Calamawy |
| Dan | Joshua McGuire |
| Maya | Lily Olufemi-Bywaters |
| Rana | Sirine Saba |
| Kamil | Karim Saleh |
| Amira | Antonia Salib |
Creative Team
Writer Carmen Nasr · Director Emily Burns · Set and costume Frankie Bradshaw · Lighting Joshua Pharo · Sound George Dennis · Video Akhila Krishnan · Illusions Chris Fisher · Casting Bryony Jarvis-Taylor CDG
Samira News
The National announced Samira in September 2026 as part of its 2027 season, with May Calamawy in the title role.
Previews run from Thursday 4 February 2027, with the press performance on Thursday 11 February. The run ends on Saturday 13 March.
Samira
Dorfman Theatre
