Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Tickets

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is a play by Edward Albee that depicts the volatile marriage of a middle-aged couple, George and Martha. Over the course of one night, they use a younger couple as pawns in a series of cruel psychological games, eventually exposing the illusions that sustain their relationship.

The play was written by the acclaimed American playwright Edward Albee. It premiered in 1962 and went on to win the Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Due to adult themes, heavy drinking, and strong language, the play is generally recommended for audiences aged 14 and over.

The most famous portrayals are Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in the 1966 film. On stage, the roles have been played by icons including Uta Hagen, Diana Rigg, Kathleen Turner, Imelda Staunton, Tracy Letts, and Bill Irwin.

Yes, the play is one of the most decorated in history. It won the 1963 Tony Award for Best Play and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award. While it was selected for the Pulitzer Prize in 1963, the advisory board famously overrode the jury, though Albee later won the Pulitzer for other works.

The title is a pun on the song Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? from Disney’s The Three Little Pigs, replacing the wolf with the name of the celebrated modernist author Virginia Woolf. In the context of the play, it represents the fear of living a life without illusions.

The psychological games George and Martha play to torment their guests (and each other) are famously titled Humiliate the Host, Hump the Hostess, Get the Guests, and Bringing Up Baby.

The 2026 London production stars Gillian Anderson as Martha and Billy Crudup as George, alongside Josh Dylan as Nick and Phoebe Horn as Honey.

This new West End production is directed by Marianne Elliott, the multi-award-winning director behind War Horse and Company.