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Vanessa Redgrave returns to the RSC after forty years away to play the lead in this new translation of 'Hecuba' by Tony Harrison - the only modern poet with any kind of popular reputation.
The play tells the story of the aftermath of the defeat of Troy. Queen Hecuba is a prisoner, transported to Athens as booty with the other women of Troy, when she learns that she must give up her own life to save that of her daughter on the same day that she hears her last son is murdered.
It's a great role, especially in Harrison's gutsy translation, and Redgrave puts in a scorching performance, hypnotic in her grief and terrifying in her madness. The supporting cast are also terrific, with Darrell D'Silva playing the silver-tongued Odysseus as a wonderfully sinister Blairite spin doctor. It's an operatic kind of play and music and dance are used to great effect, with a chorus of grieving women and a fine score.
It's not an easy play to watch, but this is a timely and topical version of one the classics of European literature. |
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| London Event |
| Turandot |
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London Coliseum - English National Opera (ENO),
St Martin's Lane,
Wc2N
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2 minutes distance from Hecuba
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| The English National Opera's love affair with Puccini continues with this new production of his musically rich swansong Turandot. Another innovative director Rupert Goold follows ...More...
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| London Event |
| The Nutcracker |
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London Coliseum - English National Opera (ENO),
St Martin's Lane,
Wc2N
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2 minutes distance from Hecuba
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| Like unwrapping a Christmas present or wandering through a dream, The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum has all the wide-eyed suspense of something unexpected about ...More...
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| London Hotels |
| Charing Cross |
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The Strand,
London,
WC2N
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4 minutes distance from Hecuba
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| This famous Grade II listed Victorian railway hotel has been totally refurbished, from the bars and restaurants to all 239 rooms, providing every modern convenience ...More...
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| London Hotels |
| Radisson Edwardian Hampshire Hotel |
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31-36
Leicester Square,
London,
WC2H7LH
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4 minutes distance from Hecuba
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| Overlooking Leicester Square - the setting for London’s regular film premieres - the Radisson Edwardian Hampshire has glamorous, exclusive décor to match its high-profile setting: ...More...
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Local
Entertainment Near Hecuba |
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2 minutes distance from Hecuba
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3 minutes distance from Hecuba
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3 minutes distance from Hecuba
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Local
Sights and Attractions Near Hecuba |
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| St Martin-in-the-Fields |
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Trafalgar Square,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2N
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3 minutes distance from Hecuba
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| This historic church of St Martin-in-the-Fields overlooking Trafalgar Square was designed by James Gibbs and built in 1726. It houses a glorious eaterie ...More...
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| National Gallery |
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Trafalgar Square,
Westminster,
London,
WC2N
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3 minutes distance from Hecuba
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| The National Gallery dominates London's Trafalgar Square with its neo-classical columns and portico designed by William Wilkins adjoining the square on its east side where ...More...
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Local
Shopping Near Hecuba |
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| London Shopping |
| Stanford's |
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12-14
Long Acre,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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2 minutes distance from Hecuba
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| Intrepid explorers already know where to travel for the best selection of maps and travel books. Stanford's should be the first pit stop on any ...More...
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| London Shopping |
| Trevor Sorbie |
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27
Floral Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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2 minutes distance from Hecuba
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| Sorbie does the celebrities, but prides himself on doing real hair for real people. He has a well earned reputation for great creativity and style ...More...
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| London Dining |
| Asia de Cuba |
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45
St Martin's Lane,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2N
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1 minutes distance from Hecuba
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| The venue is chic and dominated by fat, cylindrical pillars, each quirkily adorned with a different element. Situated within Morgans Hotel Group's fashionable St Martins ...More...
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| London Dining |
| Paul |
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29
Bedford Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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1 minutes distance from Hecuba
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| Branches of this cool French cafe abound across the Channel, but this was the first one to open in London. Paul serves epic eclairs, excellent ...More...
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Local
Education Near Hecuba |
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| London Education |
| Courtauld Institute of Art |
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Somerset House,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2R
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9 minutes distance from Hecuba
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| The Courtauld is one of the most prestigious art schools in the country, affiliated with the Oxbridge system and boasting a huge private location and ...More...
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| London Education |
| King's College Medical School |
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Strand,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2R
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9 minutes distance from Hecuba
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| Imperial College London is the foremost medical training faculty in the country but for non-medical graduates wishing for a change of career, King’s is the ...More...
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Local
Leisure Near Hecuba |
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| London Leisure |
| The Sanctuary |
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12
Floral Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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3 minutes distance from Hecuba
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| This day spa exclusively for women is a total pampering experience from the minute you step through the door. Located in bustling Covent Garden you'll ...More...
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| London Leisure |
| The Hospital Club |
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24
Endell Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2H
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7 minutes distance from Hecuba
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| Before it was a hip private members' club designed specifically for the creative industries - complete with bar and dining rooms, cinema, TV and recording ...More...
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| London Pubs |
| Lamb & Flag |
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33
Rose Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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2 minutes distance from Hecuba
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| One of the oldest pubs in London.
Once known as the Bucket of Blood, thanks to the bare-knuckle fights held here, the Lamb & Flag has ...More...
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| London Pubs |
| The Cove |
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1
The Piazza,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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3 minutes distance from Hecuba
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| Overlooking Covent Garden Piazza, the Cove is a world away from the crowds outside. Tucked up in a worn, leather armchair under the pub’s low, ...More...
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Local
Nightlife Near Hecuba |
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| London Nightlife |
| Madame Jojo's |
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8-10
Brewer Street,
Soho,
London,
W1F
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9 minutes distance from Hecuba
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| This
was once a sleazy Soho strip club, as the name suggests, and it really
shows. Deep reds are the dominant colour, with mirrors, booths and
velvet curtains ...More...
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| London Nightlife |
| Kingly Club |
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4a
Upper St Martin's Lane,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2H
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3 minutes distance from Hecuba
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| The second offering from Irish entrepreneur Dezzi Mc Causland, founder of Soho's famous Kingly Club, is a stunning triumph of glass, chrome and contemporary design ...More...
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Local
Business Near Hecuba |
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| London Business |
| Bedford Street Business Centre |
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17-19
Bedford Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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0 minutes distance from Hecuba
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| London Business |
| MLS Meeting and Conference Centre - London Covent Garden Bedford Street |
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17-19
Bedford Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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0 minutes distance from Hecuba
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