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Farinelli and The King Tickets

4.8 40 reviews from 40 verified reviews

Starring: Mark Rylance

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Farinelli and The King in London

Starring:

Mark Rylance

Music plays a starring role in this exceptional piece, with Robert Howarth as Musical Director also playing live Baroque music on the harpsichord. The cast includes Mark Rylance of TV's Wolf Hall fame as King Phillipe the Fifth of Spain, accompanied by Sam Crane as Farinelli, Huss Garbiya as Doctor Jose Cervi, Melody Grove as Isabella Farnese, Colin Hurley as Metastasio, Edward Peel as De la Cuadra plus respected opera singers Iestyn Davies and William Purefoy playing the castrato's singing role.

Farinelli and the King – The story

The King of Spain, Phillipe 5th, is depressed. He can't sleep and life feels grey, dull and sad. His queen is desperately worried about her husband and seeks a cure. When she hears about the remarkable castrato singer Farinelli, who is wowing Europe with his stunningly lovely voice, she wonders whether he'll be able to help her husband regain his enthusiasm and will to live.

Farinelli's voice is so beautiful it's verging on the divine, and the King adores it. He begs the singer to stay and sing for him full time but Farinelli is a famous man, celebrated right across 18th century Europe and beyond. Will he decide to forgo a glittering career to keep the King of Spain happy, and if he does will it turn out to have the desired effect or will things go horribly wrong?

This is a genuinely inspiring true story and you'll experience many of the wonderful arias that Farinelli really did sing for Phillipe V of Spain way back in the 1730s, bringing an unmistakeable ring of truth and authority to the play. This is boosted by the use of candlelight on stage, atmospheric and compelling, plus glorious music played live by musicians on Baroque instruments, transforming the theatre into something extremely special.

Farinelli, whose real name was Carlo Broschi, was one of the most celebrated opera singers of all time and a major celebrity. No doubt he would be delighted to know his fame still resonates down the centuries and his part in this thrilling story still has the power to move theatre audiences to tears.

The Times newspaper says ‘Claire Van Kampen’s warmingly eccentric, bewitchingly musical historical comedy-drama is compelling’. The Independent says it's 'Enchantingly directed by John Dove’

The Guardian says it's ‘A pleasure that verges on the sublime’, and the Daily Express comments the play is 'Beautifully realised… an evening of pure enchantment'. It looks as though you're in for a treat!

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Farinelli and The King Official Theatre Tickets

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Farinelli and The King Ticket Information

Booking until:

Friday, 4 December 2015
Cancellations & Refunds
Once booked, tickets to Farinelli and The King are usually non exchangeable and non refundable as per our terms & conditions. In practice, however, we will do our best to accommodate your request as long as we are notified at least 48 hours before the performance. Please contact us for more information.

Farinelli and The King cheap tickets

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Farinelli and The King reviews

4.8 out of 5 40 reviews

What to expect:

Acting
Music
Costumes
Story
Lighting

Recommended for:
Theatregoers (98%)

Latest customer reviews

All reviews are from customers who have been invited to leave a review just after seeing Farinelli and The King.

Please note the reviews below are from an old production of Farinelli and The King.

verified

A very interesting, topical, thoughtful and exciting production

S Reviewed on 06 December 2015 by Sara
Morden, United Kingdom

verified

Well written.humourous.

Overall a very good evening spoilt by the inability to see facial expressions due to the lighting. Also the actress playing the queen did not match the quality of the others.

D Reviewed on 06 December 2015 by David
Purley, United Kingdom

verified

Fantastic show

I thought this was a funny, informative show. Although I was in a cheap seat I heard every work - great diction and projection. It's worth staying for some of the interval to watch the chandeliers having candles renewed - not so common these days. You may find that the play stimulates an interest in Spanish royalty and Louis XIV's heirs. A really memorable performance.

S Reviewed on 05 December 2015 by Sheila
Finchley, United Kingdom

verified

I liked everything about this play and the beautiful except the ladies toilets which were truly awful.

J Reviewed on 03 December 2015 by Judith
Milford Haven, United Kingdom

verified

A marvelous experience, with beautiful music

Great acting...Mark Rylance never disappoints, fantastic staging and memorable renditions of Handels' arias. What an experience.

C Reviewed on 02 December 2015 by Christopher
London, United Kingdom

verified

Duke of York

N Reviewed on 02 December 2015 by Nicholas
West Wickham, United Kingdom

verified

Fabulous

Do not miss a chance to see Mark Rylance, he is a wonderful actor.

G Reviewed on 29 November 2015 by Glenys
Bidborough, United Kingdom

verified

A play to be seen!

Excellent acting and singing and the recreation of the Sam Wannamker Theatre at The Globe was well done.

P Reviewed on 29 November 2015 by Peter
Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom

verified

Sublime!!

Absolutely fabulous fusion of first class acting and musicianship. Humour and tender understanding of the nature of the depressed mind and how the beauty of music and the human voice can relieve the isolation and despair the condition can engenders in the sufferer.Hugely enjoyable and recommended to all.

C Reviewed on 29 November 2015 by Carol
Rushden, United Kingdom

verified

a must see, unique

It was mesmerising, with superb acting and music. I enjoyed every minute of it

R Reviewed on 27 November 2015 by Robert
Crowborough, United Kingdom

verified

The acting was magnificent. Mark Rylance is mesmerising. His portrayal of the King brought to life this troubled soul - it wasn't like acting it seemed so real. The singing was superb and the storyline was intriguing.

S Reviewed on 22 November 2015 by Susan
Woodford Green, United Kingdom

verified

Best for years

J Reviewed on 22 November 2015 by Jean
Dundee, United Kingdom

verified

Self indulgent

What promised to be a wonderful combination of ingredients;Handel, baroque setting, and an interesting historical story was utterly spoilt by a silly script and wooden acting. The scripting made a real piece of history dull, the second act was particularly bizarre and so disjointed one gave up wanting to watch. Mark Rylance was the only one alive on stage but I really didn't need the swearing. I've never written a review before but we were so disappointed I feel I now have to. I would recommend not going, such a waste of good music!

A Reviewed on 19 November 2015 by Anna
London, United Kingdom

verified

See it

D Reviewed on 18 November 2015 by David
London, United Kingdom

verified

Excellent show.

Interesting story, colourful stage set, at least from the auditorium,and the arias sung by countertenor were wonderful.

M Reviewed on 17 November 2015 by Maureen
Harrogate, United Kingdom

verified

Excellent

Initially apprehensive of a period baroque musical I could not have been more wrong. Good story, modern laguage, great musical performance and support actors. Above all a brilliant performance from the lead actor.

P Reviewed on 16 November 2015 by Paula
Harrow, United Kingdom

verified

An Atmospheric Masterpiece

Wonderfully intimate and warm and funny, this was a jewel of a play. The music was hauntingly beautiful and the candlelight so atmospheric. We loved it.

K Reviewed on 15 November 2015 by Kay
Sheffield, United Kingdom

verified

Fantastic show-must see

An excellent play full of humour, historical interest, good acting and wonderful singing. A great stage setting, very atmospheric with the candlelight.

J Reviewed on 13 November 2015 by Jean
Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom

verified

Exceptional

This is a play involving the audience in every way - by subtly and delightfully making us part of the story, and by emotionally engaging us with seriousness studded through with humour, pathos, music and all that can send an audience into the night inspired, satisfied yet wanting more. Mark Rylance's brilliant depiction of King Philippe, the fine counter-tenor arias were outstanding, and the acting, staging and atmosphere of the performance made this a memorable evening.

S Reviewed on 08 November 2015 by Sylvia
Petworth, United Kingdom

verified

Music with acting attached

The music was sublime and King and queen of Spain convincing not keen on the acting of farinelli it didn't translate right to the back H8

C Reviewed on 07 November 2015 by Colette
London, United Kingdom

verified

Artistic

E Reviewed on 06 November 2015 by Elisabeth
London, United Kingdom

verified

Mark Rylance brilliant as always Must see

B Reviewed on 31 October 2015 by Brooks
London, United Kingdom

verified

Most enjoyable theatre experience I have had!

B Reviewed on 30 October 2015 by Barbara
Barrow, United Kingdom

verified

do see a delight - loved mixing singing with acting

Loved look of the staging and the lighting - Mark Rylance created a real character of the King - a very human soul struggling with unwanted greatness and position, who found strength and ability to show love despite the weight of depression and oppression. Loved the mixture of music and singing with the acting - a delightful novelty.

C Reviewed on 29 October 2015 by Caroline
Eye, United Kingdom

verified

Rylance is brilliant and thrives in this intimate setting

I did not expect to enjoy this due to being a philistine where it comes to opera. Everything about it was however enchanting.

M Reviewed on 29 October 2015 by Michael
Chelmsford, United Kingdom

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A must see play !!!

It was original and different, the combination of acting and singing is brilliant.

R Reviewed on 25 October 2015 by Rose
London, United Kingdom

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Brilliant

H Reviewed on 21 October 2015 by Heather
Cuffley, United Kingdom

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Enjoyable and different

Did not know quite what to expect, but after a little slow start the 'plot' became more involved and interesting as Mark Rylance developed his character. The idea of a separate singer and actor in the role of Farinelli on stage was good, as if he was listening to his own singing.

M Reviewed on 21 October 2015 by M J
Stevenage, United Kingdom

verified

Must see

Atmospheric, funny, wonderful music and excellent acting. Mark Rylance is sublime.

E Reviewed on 18 October 2015 by Eilidh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

verified

Farinelli

Utterly fantastic - superb acting - Mark Rylance is stunning as the King. Singing out of this world. Altogether brilliant!

D Reviewed on 16 October 2015 by David
Hagley, United Kingdom

verified

Must see

D Reviewed on 16 October 2015 by Derek
London, United Kingdom

verified

Fascinating and unusual

A great blend of theatre and baroque music

A Reviewed on 15 October 2015 by Alan
Richmond, United Kingdom

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A tour de force!

We sat on stalls on stage and felt like participants and witnesses to genuine drama. Stupendous!

J Reviewed on 07 October 2015 by Jane
Sleepy Hollow, United States

verified

Awesome

What a genius, generous and supremely talented actor Mark is. Spellbinding performance. Congrats to all. Superb. Thank you to all the staff who were so helpful and polite.

E Reviewed on 01 October 2015 by Elaine
London, United Kingdom

verified

absorbing and mesmerising

Totally absorbing story and acting. At times Mark Rylance was mesmerising. Wonderful costumes and natural lighting. No gimmicks. The actors,singing and music were very high quality.

C Reviewed on 27 September 2015 by Christine
Clifton Hill, Australia

verified

Mesmerising

A Reviewed on 15 September 2015 by Alison
East Knoyle, United Kingdom

22 Jul
2015

Mark Rylance - Farinelli and The King

by Phil Willmott | Wednesday, July 22 2015, 09:53

The West End has long been the place to see our greatest actors and Mark Rylance, who’ll star in FARINELLI AND THE KING from September 12th at the Duke of York’s Theatre, is regarded by many as one of our most talented players.