Phaedra

A disturbing tale of illicit lust, revenge and tragedy

Celebrated French actress Isabelle Huppert makes a welcome return to the London stage after more than 20 years when she stars as the titular queen originally of Greek myth next year at the Barbican. With the play being relocated to the modern world, and performed in French (with English surtitles for us non-French speaking fans) it will be directed by radical Polish artistic director Krzysztof Warlikowski of Warsaw's Nowy Teatr, who is recognised for his controversial work in revigorating ancient plays for modern European audiences. Using the provocative text from the late Sarah Kane's play Phaedra's Love, and incorporating extracts from J M Coetzee's novel Elizabeth Costello, the desires of the ancient anti-heroine will be brought to stark, heartbreaking life.

What is it about?

Phaedra was an enigma even in her day, and more so now. Beautiful and mysterious with a ruthless edge she is consumed with lust for her stepson Hippolytus - even though she is married to the heroic, but flawed Theseus (of the Minotaur legend). After successfully seducing him, Hippolytus informs her that he has also had relations with his stepsister Strophe, and she with her stepfather Theseus. Revenge and violence are the order of the day as Phaedra sets out to ruin Hippolytus, her husband and even her own daughter in a tangled web of illicit love and vengeance.