Britannicus
by Jean Racine, translated and adapted by Timberlake Wertenbaker. Directed by Atri Banerjee.A timely political thriller set in modern day Rome.
Welcome to a blistering arena of power where the corrosive effects of unchecked authoritarianism pervade every corner of society.
Son or pawn? Lover or manipulator? Brother or usurper? Britannicus is a chilling portrait of a dictator’s rise to power.
Agrippina – desperate to cling onto power – has ensured her son, Nero, is the Roman Emperor, in place of his adopted brother and the rightful heir. Nero’s own obsessions turn a once virtuous ruler into an oppressive tyrant. His path to power is paved with deceit, corruption and cruelty.
Britannicus is translated and adapted by Olivier Award-winning writer Timberlake Wertenbaker in a stunning new production by Atri Banerjee, named by The Stage as one of the top 25 artists to watch in 2022 and beyond.
Content warning: This show makes use of smoke and haze. There are also descriptions of violence and mentions of suicide.
In the press:
“Britannicus is a beautiful combination of modern and classical. It’s intense, high stakes and all set within a 12-hour timeframe.” Read Nathaniel Curtis’ Q&A in The Observer here.
“Britannicus has the pace of 24, the scale of Game of Thrones, and the savagery of Succession. It’s a thriller that speaks to the present moment.” Read Atri Banerjee’s full opinion piece for The Stage here.
“The corruption, politics, and lines of succession in Britannicus feel alarmingly familiar to our current world.” Read Nathaniel Curtis Feature Interview in The Independent here.
