Emma Rice's original production of Tristan & Yseult runs at Alexandra Palace Theatre from 11-27 March 2027. It is the show's first London run in ten years.
Tristan & Yseult is heading back to London. The original production, adapted and directed by Emma Rice, runs at Alexandra Palace Theatre from Thursday 11 March to Saturday 27 March 2027, with press night on Friday 12 March. Its last London visit was a run at Shakespeare's Globe in 2017.
The London dates come late in a long tour. It opened at Theatre Royal Bath in September, visits St Ann's Warehouse in New York from 1-22 November, and finishes at York Theatre Royal from 6-17 April 2027, straight after Alexandra Palace. We reported the full casting for the revival in July.
Four partners share the producing credit: Emma Rice Company, Alexandra Palace Theatre, York Theatre Royal and Nottingham Playhouse.
The show dates from 2003, when Kneehigh and Rice first staged it in the open air at Restormel Castle in Cornwall and Rufford Abbey in Nottinghamshire. It played the Minack Theatre at Porthcurno in 2004, then moved indoors for the National Theatre's Cottesloe in 2005.
The story is the old love triangle of King Mark, his queen Yseult and Tristan, told through live music, comedy and movement. Watching from the side is the 'Club of the Unloved', who see the lovers' passion from another angle.
This revival arrives with strong notices from the tour. The Times and BroadwayWorld gave it five stars, and The Guardian, WhatsOnStage and The Stage four. The Guardian called it "utterly irresistible", and WhatsOnStage wrote: "Every theatre lover should see it at least once."
John Leader and Nandi Bhebhe play the title roles. Edward Rowe is King Mark, Matthew Churcher is Frocin, Tom Fox doubles Morholt and Brangian, and Stephanie Hockley is Whitehands. Jack Heydon and Nigel Sudarkasa are Love Spotters. The musicians, all Love Spotters too, are Stu Barker, who also composed the score, Philippa Hogg, Harry Miller and Pat Moran, the performing musical director.
The text is by Anna Maria Murphy and Carl Grose. Bill Mitchell's original set and costumes have been refreshed by Vicki Mortimer. Lighting is by Malcolm Rippeth, sound by Simon Baker, and choreography and intimacy coordination by Etta Murfitt.
At Alexandra Palace Theatre, there is an audio-described performance on Thursday 18 March 2027 at 7.30pm and a captioned performance on Wednesday 24 March 2027 at 2pm.
