All's Well That Ends Well Tickets

Shakespeare’s upheaval of the classic fairytale is arriving at the Olivier National Theatre this summer with some award winning performers stepping into the famous roles. This romantic story of betrayal and sexism, which has stayed firmly in people’s minds for centuries, arrives under the direction of Marianna Ellitt and stars the likes of Oliver Ford Davies as the King of France. So expect the normal conventions to be turned upside down as Michelle Terry’s Helena is manipulated by the stubborn Bertrum. The play is part of the Travelex £10 season and features the designs of Rae Smith, the music of Adam Cork, the sound of Ian Dickinson and lighting by Peter Mumford.

Michelle Terry steps into the play after appearing in another Oliver National Theatre production in the form of England People Very Nice. She has worked extensively for the Royal Shakespeare Company in productions such as Days of Significance, the Winter’s Tale and The Crucible and has also made appearances in well known venues such as the Donmar Warehouse. She plays Helena, who is the daughter to a poor physician, but finds herself falling in love with the son of the Count, Bertram (George Rainsford). Things are looking good when she manages to gain his hand in marriage when the dying King (Oliver Ford Davies) is saved by her, but to gain his love she must carry out some impossible tasks. Despite their design, which are beyond reason, Helena decides to try and succeed, despite the fact that there is no guarantee of a return of love. To make matters worse, Bertram also tells her that he will only stay with her if she gives him a child, but he refuses to sleep with her. Against her better judgement, she decides to stay with him

Olivier Ford Davies, appearing as the Kind of France, is no stranger to taking on monarchs onstage. He has appeared in many productions that include Richard II at the Almeida Theatre, King Cronwell at the Orange Tree Theatre, King Lear at the Almeida Theatre and Hamlet. However, he has also worked extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company in productions that include Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI and Henry VIII.

Also appearing is Clare Higgins, who is an Olivier Award winning performer who won her award in Vincent in Brixton, but has also been seen in Oedipus at the National Theatre and Phaedra at the Donmar Warehouse.

All’s Well That Ends Well is at the Olivier National Theatre from Monday 22nd June 2009 to Saturday 11th July 2009.