In The Duchess, Doctor Who and Broadchurch star, Jodie Whittaker, returns to the stage for the first time in over a decade. Book The Duchess tickets on London Theatre.
The Duchess in London tells the story of a recently widowed Duchess (played by Whittaker) seeking autonomy. As she says, "I am utterly and always myself." She wears colorful clothing, styles her hair how she wants, and sings at parties, even in the face of her patriarchal brother's disapproval. When she chooses to marry below her social class, her brothers eventually find out they seek to punish her. But will their punishments have consequences? This play is a tale of resistance, of a woman seeking to be herself and not be defined as a victim.
As Whittaker said of the role, “Being able to portray the Duchess's tragic and captivating story on stage every night is a true honour."
The show is based on The Duchess of Malfi, a Jacobean tragedy written by John Webster in 1612–1613. Webster's play was partly based on the life of Giovanna d'Aragona, the sixteenth-century Duchess of Amalfi. The play has since been adapted numerous times, including for opera, television, radio, and film.
This adaptation is by multi-award-winning playwright Zinnie Harris (This Restless House, Macbeth (an undoing)). Harris, known for her feminist adaptations of classic plays, is also the director staging the show.
The Duchess is a play that premiered in 2019 at the Royal Lyceum Theatre. The show has been met with acclaim from audiences and critics. The Stage's 4-star review called the play "Slick and streamlined, a towering adaptation."
As the show prepared to open in 2019, Harris said, "In this #MeToo age of feminist uprising in the face of toxic masculinity, now feels like the perfect time to revisit this incredible, brutal story of female determination in the face of patriarchal power."
2hr 30min. Incl. 1 interval.
5th October, 2024
20th December, 2024
Plays, Theatre Week, Revival, Stars on Stage, Contemporary, Drama, West End
Ages 12+.
Location: West End
Railway station: Charing Cross
Bus numbers: (Whitehall) 3, 11, 12, 24, 53, 88, 91, 159, 453; (Strand) 6, 9, 13, 15, 23, 29, 87, 139, 176
Night bus numbers: (Whitehall) 12, 24, 53, 88, 159, 453, N2, N3, N5, N11, N18, N20, N44, N52, N87, N91, N97, N109, N136, N155, N381 (Strand) 6, 23, 139, 176, N9, N13, N15, N21, N26, N29, N41, N47, N89, N279, N343, N551
Car park: The nearest Q-Park carpark is CHINATOWN, Newport Place WC2H 7PU.
Directions from tube: (5mins) Head left on the main road Strand. Follow Trafalgar Square around onto Whitehall and the theatre’s on your right.
Book tickets to The Duchess, or sign up to receive the latest news and show alerts.
Day of week | Matinee | Evening |
---|---|---|
Monday | - | 7:30 PM |
Tuesday | - | 7:30 PM |
Wednesday | - | 7:30 PM |
Thursday | 2:30 PM | 7:30 PM |
Friday | - | 7:30 PM |
Saturday | 2:30 PM | 7:30 PM |
Sunday | - | - |
The Duchess, a tale of patriarchy and resistance based on John Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi, comes to the West End starring Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who, Broadchurch), who is returning to the stage for the first time in over a decade.
The running time of The Duchess is 2hr 30min. Incl. 1 interval.
The Duchess is playing at Trafalgar Theatre. The theatre is located at 14 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2DY.
Book tickets for The Duchess on London Theatre.
The recommended age for The Duchess is Ages 12+..
Tickets for The Duchess start at £25.
John Webster wrote The Duchess of Malfi, and Zinnie Harris wrote this adaptation.
Zinnie Harris stages the show.
This play is best for children ages 12 and above as the show explores topics related to the patriarchy and has scenes of abuse and violence that may not be suitable for young children.
The Duchess is a fantastic show about female resistance in the face of hate and injustice. After its critically acclaimed run in 2019, the play comes to the West End, starring the exceptional Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who, Broadchurch) in her return to the stage after over a decade.
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