Berenice’s long and patient wait is over. Her lover, Titus, is now Emperor of Rome and with his succession, she can become his queen.

But the Roman people make their disapproval known and Titus must choose between love and responsibility.

Antiochus, Titus’ best friend, is sent to comfort her, but reveals his own unrequited love for Berenice.

In Berenice, Racine created a perfect tragedy of unfulfilled passion. In his new version, Man Booker Prize winner Alan Hollinghurst anatomises the agony of love.

'Let glory be our solace in our grief.
And let the world acknowledge to the full Tears of an emperor, tears of a queen.'