The OT presents the Royal Shakespeare Company production
by MARK RAVENHILL
directed by ERICA WHYMAN
★★★★★ “Highly intimate and poignant” – musicOMH
★★★★★ “This is a superb production in all respects” – North West End
★★★★★ “Two unforgettable and incredibly detailed performances in another triumph for the Orange Tree” – WestEndBestFriend
★★★★ “An enthralling gem” – The Standard
★★★★ “Yeates and Barnett have a vivid rapport” – Financial Times
★★★★ “The production is a perfect fit for the intimate space of the Orange Tree” – BroadwayWorld
★★★★ “Unmissable” – The Arts Desk
★★★★ “A quietly amusing and ultimately beautiful piece of theatre.” – LondonTheatre1
“A piece that sparkles with wit and humanity.” – The American
“Wonderfully written with much wit, humour, arc, pace and bite, astonishingly honed, subtly vibrant performances from Victoria Yeates and Samuel Barnett” – British Theatre Guide
“Hugely enjoyable” – The Reviews Hub
“Mark Ravenhill at his best” – Plays International
Ben, I don’t believe that anyone has ever told you what to do.
Benjamin Britten is under pressure and on a deadline. He has just nine months to write a wildly ambitious new opera to celebrate the Coronation of Elizabeth II – and he isn’t entirely sure he wants to. And then he meets Imogen Holst: daughter of Gustav, multi-talented musician, and all-round force of nature. As storms lash the Aldeburgh beaches, Ben and Imo race against the clock to compose an opera fit for a monarch – and test the very edges of their passionate friendship.
Mark Ravenhill’s funny and fascinating new play probes the emotional – and financial – cost of making art that matters. Ravenhill, one of the most exciting voices of his generation, shot to fame with Shopping and Fucking at the Royal Court, and has written numerous plays for the RSC and National Theatre.
The Orange Tree presents the London premiere of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s acclaimed production directed by Erica Whyman and starring the original, multi award-winning cast of Samuel Barnett (The History Boys) and Victoria Yeates (Call the Midwife).
On stage...
Production photography by Ellie Kurttz
In rehearsals...
Rehearsal photography by Ellie Kurttz (courtesy of the RSC)
Show Info
PERFORMANCE TIMES
Mon – Sat 7.30pm (Fri 25 Apr at 7pm)
Thu & Sat 2.30pm
CONTENT ADVICE
This production contains very strong language.
Our content warnings are updated as a production evolves through rehearsals and previews, so please note they may change between booking a ticket and seeing the production.
Saturday Seminar
Sat 10 May 11am; find out more and book here
Members’ and Patrons’ Evening with Post-Show Talk
Wed 30 Apr
Booking is open exclusively to all our Members and Patrons. Membership starts at £60pa and supports the OT to create our ambitious programme of artistic and community work. These evenings are a chance to mingle with fellow Members and Patrons, meet the OT staff, and hear from the cast and creative team of the production.
OT Under 30 Night
Fri 2 May
On OT Under 30 Nights, enjoy a FREE DRINK and POST-SHOW TALK all included with your £15 ticket
Post-show discussion led by the OT
Thursday matinees
Admission is free with your ticket to the performance. Starting from Thu 1 May.
Audio Described performance
Wed 14 May 7:30pm
Captioned performances
Tue 13 May 7:30pm
Relaxed & Distanced performance
Wed 7 May 7:30pm
To book accessible seats, and for audio described and captioned, please call the box office on 020 8940 3633 (Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm) or email
box.office@orangetreetheatre.co.uk. If you’re on our Access List, you can log in and book online.
TICKET PRICES
No booking fees. Prices increase based on demand. Book early to secure your seats at the best prices.
Under 30s £15 tickets on all seats for all performances – subject to availability.
£15 access tickets – find out more
£15 tickets available for members of theatre unions and guilds
£1 tickets available through our subsidised ticket scheme – find out more
Cast
Samuel Barnett
Ben
Victoria Yeates
Imo
Creative Team
Mark Ravenhill
Writer
Erica Whyman
Director
Soutra Gilmour
Designer
Rachel Wingate
Associate Designer
Charles Balfour
Lighting Designer
Carolyn Downing
Sound Designer
Marie Zschommler
Associate Sound Designer
Conor Mitchell
Music
Connor Fogel
Pianist
Lucy Cullingford
Movement
Matthew Dewsbury CDG
Casting Director
Chloe Forestier-Walker
Deputy Stage Manager
Maddie Lawless
Assistant Stage Manager