By William Shakespeare
Directed By Joe Hill-Gibbins
King. The male ruler of an independent state; one who inherits the position by right of birth.
King of the castle. A children’s game in which each child attempts to stand alone on a mound, or sandcastle, by pushing other children off it.
Olivier Award-winner Simon Russell Beale takes the title role in Shakespeare’s play about the limits of power.
King Richard II is arrogant, reckless and vain. His weak leadership sends his kingdom into disarray and his court into uproar. Disinherited and exiled from the kingdom, the ambitious Bolingbroke challenges the throne and the king’s divine right to rule.
This visceral new production is directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins, whose previous productions include Little Revolution at the Almeida, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Young Vic and Absolute Hell at the National Theatre.
Cast features Simon Russell Beale, Leo Bill, Martins Imhangbe, Natalie Klamar, John Mackay, Joseph Mydell, Saskia Reeves and Robin Weaver.
The Tragedy of King Richard the Second will be broadcast live to cinemas in the UK and internationally, in partnership with National Theatre Live on Tuesday 15 January 2019.
To find a cinema near you click here
Photograph by Nadav Kander
We currently have limited availability for The Tragedy of King Richard the Second. However if a performance is currently sold out you may still be able to get tickets in the following ways:
Returns
It is always worth checking back on the day of a performance to see if any tickets have been returned. You can also come along to the theatre and queue for returns from 6.30pm.
If someone can no longer make a performance and returns their ticket to us, it will be made available to buy via the Box Office, either in person, online or over the phone. When a ticket is returned immediately before a performance the tickets will be offered to the returns queue on a first-come, first-served basis.
Previews Mon 10 Dec - Mon 17 Dec
Press Night 7pm Tue 18 Dec
Evenings 7.30pm (7pm Tue 15 Jan)
Wed matinees 2.30pm from 2 Jan (except 16 Jan)
Sat matinees 2.30pm from 22 Dec
Mon matinee 2.30pm 31 Dec
Thu matinee 2.30pm 17 Jan
Christmas and New Year
24 - 26 Dec No performances
31 Dec 2.30pm only
1 Jan 5pm only
10 Dec - 17 Dec
£32, £28, £20, £10
19 Dec - 2 Feb
£39.50, £32, £20, £10
27 - 29 Dec, 4 Jan, 5 Jan eve, 11 Jan, 12 Jan eve, 18 Jan, 19 Jan eve, 25 Jan, 26 Jan eve, 31 Jan - 2 Feb
£48, £38, £24, £10
Almeida Rush
Almeida Rush allows audiences to book last minute tickets to popular Almeida shows each week. Tickets released Tuesday at 1pm from Tuesday 11 Dec.
Talkback
Thu 3 Jan
Post-show talk with members of the company. Free to same-day ticket holders.
Almeida Questions
Mon 21 Jan 6pm
Me, My Selfie and I
Almeida Questions is an eclectic programme of pre-show discussions which consider some of the questions raised by the work on our stage. An invited panel of speakers discuss the key issues and ideas raised by The Tragedy of King Richard The Second.
Captioned performance
Thu 24 Jan 7.30pm
£5 Captioned tickets go on sale to those aged 25 and under at 5pm 19 Nov.
Audio Described
by VocalEyes
Sat 26 Jan 2.30pm
(Touch Tour 12.45pm)
£5 Audio Described tickets go on sale to those aged 25 and under at 5pm 19 Nov.
NT Live Broadcast
Tue 15 Jan 7pm
This performance is being filmed and broadcast internationally by National Theatre Live.
Islington First
Mon 10 Dec – Wed 19 Dec (excluding 18 Dec)
If you live or work in the Islington area you can book best available seats for £25 for the opening performances, subject to availability. Enter the promo code ISFIRST when booking. For applicable postcodes see here.
Concessions
Customers claiming Jobseekers Allowance and students can book second-price band tickets for £25 (£27.50 on peak price) on Monday - Thursday evenings and Wednesday and Saturday matinees. Concessions tickets are also applicable for first-price band tickets on Wednesday and Saturday matinees*. For more information click here.
Over 65s
Customers who are 65 and over can book second-price-band tickets* for £25 on Monday - Thursday evenings & Wednesday & Saturday matinees. Over 65s tickets are also applicable for first-price band tickets on Wednesday and Saturday matinees. For more information click here.
Under 30s
Customers aged 30 or under can book second-price-band tickets for £15 on Monday - Thursday evenings & Wednesday & Saturday matinees*.
25 and under
£5 tickets available for those aged 25 and under for peformances on Mon 10 Dec, Tue 11 Dec, Mon 17 Dec, Mon 31 Dec (2.30pm), Tue 1 Jan (5pm), Mon 7 Jan, Tue 8 Jan. Subject to availability and limited to 2 per person. Tickets will go on sale 5pm Mon 19 Nov.
Enter the promo code 25UNDER before selecting your seats.
*Subject to availability. Not available in the final week of performances.
The running time is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes with no interval.
Read more about our production guidance and warnings or contact Box Office if you have specific concerns.
Café Bar
Pre-order a hamper including sanwiches and a selection of sweet and savoury snacks to enjoy before or after the performance. Also available with a glass of prosecco or mulled wine.
Direction Joe Hill-Gibbins
Design Ultz
Associate Designer Charlotte Espiner
Light James Farncombe
Sound Peter Rice
Dramaturg Jeff James
Casting Ginny Schiller CDG
Resident Director Lucy Wray
Costume Supervision Claire Wardroper
Cast
Simon Russell Beale
Leo Bill
Martins Imhangbe
Natalie Klamar
John Mackay
Joseph Mydell
Saskia Reeves
Robin Weaver