The Duchess Tickets

It’s the brilliant Jodie Whittaker, back on stage for the first time in more than ten years to ace the lead role in Zinnie Harris’ acclaimed modern adaptation of the violent revenge tragedy written in 1613. The Duchess’ story resonates just as powerfully today. Don’t miss it.

Why you should see The Duchess

• Zinnie Harris’ production brings a unique voice and vision to the original work, blending historial elements with modern sensibilities.
• The Duchess tackles power dynamics, gender politics, and societal norms.
• The production is playing for a limited time in the West End making it a production you don’t want to miss.

The Duchess - The Story

In a plot first staged in 1613, the Duchess’s husband has just died and she’s keen to embark on an exciting new lease of life. When she falls in love, defies her family and marries a commoner, they’re livid. Her brothers, whose lives are blighted by fury and greed, find out about her marriage and decide to punish her to take away her power. The atrocities they commit are vicious. Will their horrific deeds come back to haunt them?

This bloody four hundred and eleven year-old exploration of revenge has been transformed into a vivid, modern production designed to captivate. It’s great to see Whittaker in such an iconic role.

About The Duchess

The 1613 play is itself based on a true story that took place in the early 1500s, when the Duchess of Amalfi, Giovanna d'Aragona, secretly married Antonio Beccadelli di Bologna, who was considered beneath her class. Some say the play remains one of the greatest tragedies in English renaissance drama. Now it has been brought bang up to date.

This contemporary version is adapted and also directed by award-winning Zinnie Harris. Her popular version of John Webster’s 17th century drama explores the power of patriarchy and the nature of female resistance, first staged at the Edinburgh Lyceum Theatre in 2019.

The Duchess - starring Jodie Whittaker

Jodie Whittaker’s extraordinary performance in Venus, during 2006, netted her a string of nominations including a British Independent Film Award nomination and a Satellite Award nomination. She went on to gather more critical acclaim in Wired (2008), Attack the Block (2011), Good Vibrations (2012), 2013’s Broadchurch, 2016’s Adult Life Skills, 2017’s Journeyman and Trust Me, also in 2017.

Whittaker has made TV history as the first female to play Doctor Who, ultimately voted the second greatest Doctor. And she’s no stranger to the stage either. With stage credits including The Storm, Enemies, A Gaggle of Saints, Awake and Sing! And Antigone under her belt, you know the show’s going to be special.

The Duchess will offer audiences a significant and enriching theatrical experience for a limited time at the Trafalgar Theatre this Autumn.