FARINELLI AND THE KING
A new play by Claire van Kampen starring Mark Rylance
LAST CHANCE TO SEE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED NEW PLAY FARINELLI AND THE KING AT THE DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE
£10 DAY SEATS AVAILABLE FOR EVERY PERFORMANCE
Audiences have just four weeks left to catch Claire van Kampen’s sold-out, hit new play Farinelli and the King at the Duke of York’s Theatre. Mark Rylance’s performance as King Philippe V has garnered overwhelming praise from critics and audiences alike, who have unanimously praised countertenor Iestyn Davies’ mesmerising performance. A limited number of £10 day seats will be available to buy in person from the Box Office at 10am on the day of each performance. Returned tickets may also be available to purchase in person from the box office, from one hour before the performance. The strictly limited West End season runs until 5th December 2015.
Farinelli and the King originally played at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe and is produced in the West End by Sonia Friedman Productions and Shakespeare’s Globe in association with Tulchin Bartner Productions and 1001 Nights.
The play is directed by John Dove and designed by Jonathan Fensom with musical arrangements also by Claire van Kampen. Mark Rylance reprises his role as King Philippe V of Spain and Sam Crane once again plays the acting role of Farinelli. The singing role of Farinelli is reprised by opera star Iestyn Davies and shared with Rupert Enticknap and Owen Willetts*. The cast also includesMatthew Darcy playing Jethro, Huss Garbiya playing Doctor Jose Cervi, Melody Grove playing Isabella Farnese, Colin Hurley playing Metastasio and Edward Peel playing De la Cuadra.
The Duke of York’s Theatre has been transformed for the play as the magical and intimate atmosphere of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is brought to the West End with onstage seating and candles. Live Baroque music is played by six onstage musicians, led by Harpsichordist and Musical Director Robert Howarth.
Set in eighteenth-century Spain, Claire van Kampen’s play tells the intriguing true story of Farinelli, once the world’s most famous castrato and one of the greatest celebrities of his time, and his decision to trade fame and fortune in the opera houses of Europe for a life of servitude at the court of King Philippe V. Farinelli and the King explores the dynamics between Farinelli and the royal couple and features many of the exquisite arias by Handel, that were first sung by Farinelli in the 1730’s.
*Please see website for full performance schedule.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
FARINELLI AND THE KING
Duke of York’s Theatre
St Martin’s Lane
London
WC2N 4BG
0844 871 7623
www.Farinellitheplay.com
Pricing
Day seats at £10 available in person from the Box Office from 10am daily
Returned tickets may also be available to purchase in person from the box office, from one hour before the performance
Dates
Until 5th December 2015
Monday – Saturday evenings at 7.30pm and Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm