No longer booking
  • Venue Rose Theatre Kingston, London
  • Performance dates Booking to 23 September 2022
  • Running time 2 hours 25 minutes (including interval)
  • Age guidelines This production is appropriate for all ages.

A gripping new play

From the writer of the Academy Award-winning Bohemian Rhapsody, Darkest Hour and The Theory of Everything comes the play that sparked a major motion picture.

Starring Anton Lesser (Game of Thrones, The Crown, Endeavour) and Nicholas Woodeson (Baptiste, The Death of Stalin, The Danish Girl) this gripping and entertaining new play from Anthony McCarten premiered at Royal & Derngate, Northampton in 2019 and was adapted into the multi-award-winning film for which McCarten was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy, Golden Globe, and BAFTA Awards. 

The Two Popes is booking from 9 September 2022 until 23 September 2022 at Rose Theatre Kingston.

What is The Two Popes about?

Nine years ago, Pope Benedict XVI stunned the world by resigning, the first Pope in 700 years to do so. What drove this archconservative to break with sacred tradition and make way for a former tango club bouncer and football-loving reformer with the common touch, to become Pope Francis?

The Two Popes is a fascinating and humorous story that shines a light into one of the world’s most secretive institutions. At its heart lies a timeless question: in moments of crisis, should we follow the rules or our conscience?

Who’s in the cast of The Two Popes?

The cast features Anton Lesser (Pope Benedict XVI), Nicholas Woodeson (Cardinal Bergoglio – the future Pope Francis),  Lynsey Beauchamp (Sister Brigitta), Leaphia Darko (Sister Sophia), with Malcolm James and Angela Jones in the ensemble.  

The Two Popes creative team

Directed by James Dacre (2020 Olivier Award-nominated Our Lady of Kibeho), with original music by Grammy and BRIT Award-winning composer Anne Dudley, the production is designed by Jonathan Fensom, with lighting design by Charles Balfour, sound design by David Gregory and video & projection design by Duncan McLean.

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Performance Information

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Venue Information

Rose Theatre Kingston , 24-26 High Street, Kingston, London, KT1 1HL

Nearest Tube or Train: Kingston Station (Rail)

Nearest Buses: K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, X26, 57, 65, 71, 85, 111, 131, 213, 216, 281, 285, 371, 406, 411, 418, 465, 481

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Critics' reviews of The Two Popes

★★★★ 'Rhapsodically intense' - Telegraph

★★★★ 'Directed with exemplary clarity by James Dacre' - Guardian

★★★★ 'A compelling new play. McCarten has a gift for creating intimate dramas.' - Sunday Times

Also see: The Two Popes Reviews Round-up

Frequently Asked Questions

The Two Popes is playing at the Rose Theatre Kingston in London
The running time of The Two Popes is 2 hours 25 minutes (including interval)
The age recommendations for The Two Popes are: This production is appropriate for all ages.
Yes, The Two Popes has matinee performances on the following days: Thursday
No, sorry, The Two Popes has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

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