by William Shakespeare
Director: Nicholas Hytner
Cast:
Lucullus-Paul Bentall
Varro-Martin Chamberlain
Titus/Bailiff/Thief-Jason Cheater
Lucilius-Stavros Demetraki
Jeweller/Phyrnia-Jo Dockery
Hortenius/Thief-Paul Dodds
Sempronia-Lynette Edwards
Caphis/Bailiff/Thief-Craige Els
Philotus-Alfred Enoch
Flavia-Deborah Findlay
Apemantus-Paul Higgins
Painter-Penny Layden
Flaminia/Timandra-Olivia Llewellyn
Merchant/Alcibiades-Ciaran McMenamin
Ventidius-Tom Robertson
Timon of Athens-Simon Russell Beale
Poet-Nick Sampson
Servilius-Tim Samuels
Isidore-Michael Sheldon
Lepidus/Hostilius-Ross Waiton

Wealthy friend to the rich and powerful, patron of the arts, ostentatious host, Timon of Athens showers gifts and hospitality on the city’s elite. He vastly outspends his resources but, finding his coffers empty, reassures his loyal steward that all will be well.

"Methinks I could deal kingdoms to my friends,
And ne’er be weary."

When he calls upon his erstwhile associates, instead of offering help, they hang him out to dry. After a final, vengeful banquet, Timon withdraws to a literal and emotional wasteland, living off roots and pouring ever more surreal curses on a morally bankrupt Athens.

"I am Misanthropos and hate mankind.
For my part, I do wish thou wert a dog
That I might love thee something."

Simon Russell Beale takes the title role in Shakespeare’s strange fable of conspicuous consumption, debt and ruin, written in collaboration with Thomas Middleton.

Reviews:
5 STARS Daily Telegraph, Evening Standard, Independent on Sunday

4 STARS Daily Mail, Financial Times, Guardian, , Independent, Time Out, Times, Mail on Sunday, Metro

‘A fable about the toxic nature of a ruthlessly commercialised world.’ Guardian

‘Bold, incisive revival … an urgent play for today.’ Daily Telegraph

‘A lacerating parable for our troubled times. A characteristically terrific performance from Simon Russell Beale.’ Evening Standard

‘Fast, venomously satirical.’ Daily Mail

‘Nicholas Hytner has seized the cynical, disillusioned day. He hurls Timon into the 21st century and finds it lands there almost perfectly.’ Daily Telegraph

‘It’s a wonder we’ve had to wait until now to get a revival for Timon of Athens… Nicholas Hytner’s production is so relevant… almost flawless.’ Time Out

‘An exhilarating production featuring a compelling performance by Simon Russell Beale.’ Guardian

‘De-barnacled and bejewelled, that Bard’s tricky play shines like a topical treasure.’ Independent on Sunday