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★★★★★ “Janet McTeer is mighty in Simon Stone’s electric remaking… unlike anything I’ve experienced before” – The Observer

Tony and Olivier Award winner and two-time Academy Award nominee Janet McTeer (Ozark, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, A Doll’s House) stars in this new adaptation of Phaedra at the National Theatre.

Writer-Director Simon Stone (Yerma at the Young Vic) reimagines the famous Greek tragedy, after versions by Euripides, Seneca and Racine.

Joining McTeer are Assaad Bouab (Call My Agent) making his UK stage debut and Mackenzie Davis (Station Eleven, Blade Runner 2049).

Phaedra runs from 1 February 2023 until 8 April 2023 in the Lyttelton Theatre, National Theatre London.

In a house of glass, one must not throw stones.

After years of fierce focus on her political career, Phaedra turns her attention to her personal life.

The reappearance of her step-son shakes the foundations of her house and the beliefs that have underpinned her power. 

As buried lust and loneliness surge to the surface, Phaedra’s actions threaten to destroy everything she has built.

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Performance Information

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Stars and Creatives

Janet McTeer
Janet McTeer

Who is in the cast of Phaedra?

Phaedra stars Janet McTeer, Assaad Bouab and Mackenzie Davis. 

Completing the cast are: John Macmillan, Rhys Bailey, Archie Barnes, Paul Chahidi, Mackenzie Davis, Nicholas Gauci, Mohsen Ghaffari, Akiya Henry, Johanne Murdock, Nadia Nadif, Emmanuel Olusanya, Sirine Saba and Dot Williams

Who are the creative team of Phaedra?

Directed by Simon Stone with set design by Chloe Lamford, costume design and associate set design by Mel Page, lighting design by James Farncomb, music and sound design by Stefan Gregory, casting by Alastair Coomer CDG.Associate director is Nimmo Ismail, intimacy coordinator is Ingrid Mackinnon, dialect coach is Danièle Lydon.

A new play by Simon Stone, after Euripides, Seneca and Racine.

Important Notes

Phaedra Access performances:  Captioned performance – Saturday 18 February at 2.15pm; Wednesday 15 March at 7.30pm; Wednesday 5 April at 2.15pm; Audio-described performances -Thursday 23 February at 7.30pm with a Touch Tour at 6pm; Saturday 1 April at 2.15pm with a Touch Tour at 12.45pm; Call the Access line on 020 7452 3961 to book Touch Tours; BSL interpreted performance -Tuesday 28 March at 7.30pm; Chilled performance – Wednesday 22 March at 2.15pm

Content warning: Please note: This is a multilingual production with English surtitles. It also contains offensive language, sexual references, nudity, description of graphic violence and self harm, depiction of suicide and themes which some people may find upsetting. There will be periods of sustained darkness throughout the performance.

Venue Information

National Theatre - Lyttelton Theatre , Upper Ground, London, SE1 9PX

Nearest Tube or Train: Waterloo (Jubilee line, Northern line, Bakerloo line)

Nearest Buses: 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 76, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, 521, X68, RV1

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Critics' reviews of Phaedra

★★★★★ "Janet McTeer is mighty in Simon Stone’s electric remaking of myth... unlike anything I’ve experienced before." - The Observer

★★★★ "Stunningly sharp update" - The Times

★★★★ "Gobsmackingly audacious" - Evening Standard

★★★★ "Janet McTeer is riveting in a wry, stylish take on sexual obsession" - The Independent

★★★★ "Janet McTeer’s fatally attracted politician crowns a night of visionary elan" - The Telegraph

Also see: Phaedra Reviews Round-up

Frequently Asked Questions

Phaedra is playing at the National Theatre - Lyttelton Theatre in London
The running time of Phaedra is 2 hours 40 minutes (including interval)
Yes, Phaedra has matinee performances on the following days: Wednesday, Saturday
No, sorry, Phaedra has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

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