Britannicus at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre

‘Tyranny always promises good things.’

Power and succession are in the very bones of Rome.

Agrippina – desperate to cling onto power – has ensured her son, Nero, is the Roman Emperor, in place of his half-brother and the rightful heir. But the corridors of power and Nero’s own obsession turn a once virtuous ruler into an oppressive tyrant.

This noble tragedy explores monarchy, dictatorship and depravity. Translated and adapted by Timberlake Wertenbaker, a tour de force, once described as “’the doyenne of political theatre”, this epic new production is directed by Atri Banerjee, winner of The Stage Debut Award for Best Director for his production of Tanika Gupta’s version of Hobson’s Choice.