The Royal Shakespeare Company presents a Shakespearean rarity in this exciting production.

“A mad world of mad kings, teetering on the brink of disaster”

Richard the Lionheart is dead. His brother John is King of England. Threatened from all sides by Europe, the English noblemen, and even his own family, King John will stop at nothing to keep hold of his crown.

Shakespeare’s rarely performed tale of a nation in turmoil vibrates with modern resonance in this vivid new production by director Eleanor Rhode.

“Director Eleanor Rhode’s version is bombastic, stytlish and stylised, and impressive visual spectacle.” – The Stage ★★★★

“There are endless thrilling fights, spellbinding moments of reflection and devastating outpourings of grief…the production tingles with a tangible sense of spontaneity...” – The Guardian ★★★★

“In a cast that has not a single weak link…Michael Abubakar’s strident, bullheaded Bastard, Tom McCall’s achingly tormented would-be murdered Hubert, Katherine Pearce’s carefully comic turn as Cardinal Pandulph and a blistering, heartwrenching Charlotte Randle as Constance.” – WhatsOnStage ★★★★

“Rosie Sheehy plays John with sensitivity, bringing out the insecurity that haunts him.” – Broadway World ★★★★

Extra features:
- Interview with Director Eleanor Rhode
- Dance and Motion
- Interviews with the Acting Company
- Cast Gallery

Cast:
- King John: Rosie Sheehy
- Queen Elinor: Bridgitta Roy
- Arthur: Gianni Saraceni-Gunner
- Constance: Charlotte Randall
- Blanche: Nadi Kemp-Sayfi
- Lady Faulconbridge: Zara Ramm
- Robert Faulconbridge: Zed Josef
- Philip Faulconbridge: Michael Abubakar
- Pembroke: John Cummings
- Salisbury: Corey Montague-Sholay
- Essex: Ali Gadema
- Hubert: Tom McCall
- King of France: David Birrell
- Lewis: Brian Martin
- Chatillon: Nicholas Gerard-Martin
- Austria: Richard Pryal
- Cardinal Pandulph: Katherine Pearce

Director: Eleanor Rhode
Designer: Max Johns
Lighting designer: Lizzie Powell
Movement director: Tom Jackson Greaves
Composer: Will Gregory

Duration: approx. 153 minutes
Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo + Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: EN