by William Shakespeare
Directed by Tom Littler
starring Freddie Fox & Roger Allam
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.
A kingdom on a knife-edge. King Richard (Freddie Fox) is a monarch of absolute power and divine right to rule. Easily swayed and badly advised, Richard plunges England into an ever-deepening crisis, as his uncle, the Duke of York (Roger Allam), tries to rescue the country from disaster. But Richard’s enemies – led by his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke (Arthur Hughes) – are powerful, angry, and out for revenge.
Shakespeare’s most beautiful and accessible history play is a story about the mysteries of gaining, keeping, and losing power. Richard is played by Olivier Award nominee Freddie Fox, one of Britain’s most exciting young actors, known for House of the Dragon and Slow Horses. Roger Allam, one of the greatest classical actors of his generation, plays the Duke of York. Together they lead a repertory company who all also appear in King Lear.
Allam and Fox are joined by Arthur Hughes (Richard III at the RSC) as Bolingbroke, and Amber James (Ian Charleson Award winner) as Isabella, with more casting to be announced. This repertory company will also perform in King Lear.
“Freddie Fox is emotionally wrenching in Tom Littler’s inventive and streamlined production.”
The Guardian on Hamlet
“Freddie Fox is on exceptional form here as Charles Marlow.”
Time Out on She Stoops to Conquer at the OT
Cast
Freddie Fox
Richard
Roger Allam
Duke of York
Arthur Hughes
Bolingbroke
Amber James
Isabella
Creative Team
William Shakespeare
Writer
Tom Littler
Director
Simon Kenny
Set & Costume Designer
Peter Mumford
Lighting Designer
Max Pappenheim
Sound Designer & Composer
Matilda James CDG
Casting Director
Flora Emily Thomson
Assistant Director
Lisa Cochrane
Deputy Stage Manager
Tickets & Priority Booking
Priority booking begins at 12pm on Thursday 3 September.
- Patrons / Ruby members: 12pm – Thursday 3 Sep
- Gold members: 12pm – Tuesday 8 Sep
- Silver members: 12pm – Wednesday 9 Sep
- Bronze members: 12pm – Thursday 10 Sep
Membership begins at £60, and not only gets you access for priority booking, but exclusive discounts, invitations to special events, and behind-the-scenes insight. Discover more here.
General sale opens at 12pm on Wednesday 16 September.
Relaxed & Distanced Performance
Tue 23 Mar 2027 • 7.30pm
Captioned Performance
Wed 31 Mar 2027 • 7.30pm
Audio Described Performance
Tue 6 Apr 2027 • 7.30pm
OT Under 30 Night
Fri 12 Mar 2027, 7.30pm
Members’ & Patrons’ evening
Tue 16 Mar 2027
Saturday Seminar
Sat 3 Apr 2027 • 11am
Half Price Previews
Enjoy 50% off every seat in the house for the first three performances. Members enjoy regular discounts on top of half price preview tickets!
Under 30s
Under 30s enjoy £20 tickets for every performance*.
Plus, join us on our exclusive Under 30 Nights where all tickets are £20, where your ticket will also get you a free drink, post-show talk, and discounts at the bar!
*Discounts not applicable on top-price tickets.
Theatre Unions & Guilds
Work in the theatre? If you belong to a theatre union or guild, you can get half price tickets to any performance*. Get in touch with our box office to unlock your discount.
*Excluding half price preview performances.
£1 Tickets
We want everyone to be able to enjoy a show at the Orange Tree Theatre.
That’s why £1 tickets for shows at the Orange Tree Theatre are available to anyone in receipt of the following:
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension Credit
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
You can claim £1 tickets for up to two people.
Sold Out Performances
Performances regularly sell out at the Orange Tree. For sold out performances, Members and Patrons can access our waiting list, where we are regularly able to offer returns before making them generally available. Find out more here.
We also offer a Friday Rush scheme whereby tickets are released on the Friday before a show’s run, where additional tickets may be released, subject to availability.
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.
We operate an Access List to make your booking process as smooth as possible. If you have any access needs, please sign up to the Access List by calling the Box Office on 020 8940 3633 or by clicking here.
£20 access tickets are available to every performance (subject to availability) for audiences with access requirements, with a discounted option also available for companion tickets where necessary.
If you’re on our Access List, you can log in and book online.
Relaxed & Distanced Performance
Suitable for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment. Lighting and sound will be adjusted, the house lights will remain on throughout the performance, audiences are free to leave and return to the auditorium. There is slightly more space available around seats and a designated quiet space front of house.
Captioned Performance
For each main season show, we offer a captioned performance, and we reserve seats specifically in a position to be able to best view the captions. Please call the Box Office to book these seats on 020 8940 3633.
Audio Described Performance
These performances have a live audio description of what is happening onstage that can be heard through headphones.
Touch tours are available before the performance, with timings and information available nearer to the performance date.
Level Access
Simply let us know when making your booking if you require assistance entering and leaving the building. We’re always happy to help. We have a ramp and rail, handrails on both sides of staircases, a lift and an accessible toilet. Level access is available to the lower level of seating.
Sennheiser Infrared Hearing Facility
For those without a hearing aid who would benefit from amplified sound, we have a Sennheiser infrared system that can be accessed using Sennheiser headsets from certain seats in the auditorium. Please speak to our box office team at the time of booking to confirm availability.
Hearing Loop
Hearing Loops, also known as induction loop systems, are sound systems used by those who wear hearing aids. Audience members can switch their hearing aid to the ‘T’ setting (or the loop programme); this helps to cut out the background noise and focus on only the sounds being picked up by the loop. Supported by Theatre’s Trust Small Grants Programme.