✕ ✕
Turning tips into memories
Login
Signup

You have reached the limit of free articles.


To enjoy unlimited access to Culture Whisper sign up for FREE.
Find out more about Culture Whisper


Sign up by Email or Facebook.

Please fix the following input errors:

  • dummy

Each week, we sent newsletters and communication featuring articles, our latest tickets invitations, and exclusive offers.

Occasional information about discounts, special offers and promotions.


OR
LOG IN

OR
  • LOG IN WITH FACEBOOK

Thanks for signing up to Culture Whisper.
Please check your inbox for a confirmation email and click the link to verify your account.



EXPLORE CULTURE WHISPER
✕ ✕
Turning tips into memories
Login
Signup

Please fix the following input errors:

  • dummy
Forgot your username or password?
Don't have an account? Sign Up

OR
  • LOG IN WITH FACEBOOK

If you click «Log in with Facebook» and are not a Culture Whisper user, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and to our Privacy Policy, which includes our Cookie Use

Turning tips into memories

Get started Login
  • Home
  • Going Out
    • Things to do
    • Food & Drink
    • Theatre
    • Visual Arts
    • Cinema
    • Kids
    • Festival
    • Gigs
    • Dance
    • Classical Music
    • Opera
    • Immersive
    • Talks
  • Staying In
    • TV
    • Books
    • Cook
    • Podcast
    • Design
    • Netflix
  • Life & Style
    • Beauty
    • Fashion
    • Gifting
    • Wellbeing
    • Lifestyle
    • Shopping
    • Jewellery
  • Explore
  • Kids
  • Benefits
  • Membership
  • Get Started
  • Membership
  • Benefits
Get the Best of London Life, Culture and Style
By entering my email I agree to the CultureWhisper Privacy Policy (we won`t share data & you can unsubscribe anytime).
Theatre

Boudica, Shakespeare's Globe review ★★★★★

08 Sep 17 – 01 Oct 17, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

The warrior queen storms Shakespeare's stage in Tristan Bernays' Boudica at the Globe this Autumn

By CW Contributor on 14/9/2017

 Gina McKee in Boudica at Shakespeare’s Globe, London. Photograph: Steve Tanner
Gina McKee in Boudica at Shakespeare’s Globe, London. Photograph: Steve Tanner
Boudica, Shakespeare's Globe review 3 Boudica, Shakespeare's Globe review Natasha Burton
The great and mysterious Boudica, a rebel warrior queen to some, a historical feminist figure to others, is resurrected in Tristan Bernays’s new epic at the Globe Theatre. Sources detailing her uprising against the Romans are scarce, leaving Bernay to craft a pulsating, clashing Britain where Gina McKee leads the charge. Entertaining and sturdy, but not revelatory, Boudica is a sword-wielding epic that strikes many blows but occasionally misses its mark.


Following King Prasutagus’s death and an unjust usurpation of his lands, Boudica challenges Catus (Samuel Collings), Procurator of Rome, who then flogs her and allows her daughters to be raped by Roman soldiers. Bernays writes in iambic pentameter verse as well as slang speech, establishing an ancient world that still seems near at hand. The humour is effective but a tad predictable, while moments of Bernays’ poetry resonate well.


TRY CULTURE WHISPER
Receive free tickets & insider tips to unlock the best of London — direct to your inbox
But even with its title, the real heart of Bernays’ Boudica are the daughters, here named Alonna (Joan Iyiola ) and Blodwynn (Natalie Simpson). They cleverly represent different reactions to the cruelty they faced, Blodwynn seeking revenge and Alonna championing peace. It’s an insightful and contemporary addition to the myth that adds a layer of complexity to themes of vengeance, imperialism, and justice. A pessimistic Suetonius (Clifford Samuel), a Roman General who is fatalistic about the empire’s future, also adds a dimension to the tale, with Samuel offering an empathetic enemy. But both Iyiola and Simpson are the stand-outs, establishing an intimate sisterly connection that is progressively marred by their stances.


Unfortunately, their culminating scene together is more of an epilogue to the action and sits strangely in the rest of the script. Boudica is instead given the climactic moment, and while staged beautifully and well delivered by McKee, it doesn’t entirely grip. McKee is an empowered Boudica and is strong in soliloquy, but she doesn’t offer enough intimidation or ferocity in a crowd.


With a large wooden wall that’s razed to the ground, Romans abseiling the Globe’s gallery, and heavy drumming music, Boudica is action-packed and full of ambitious battles. These are impressive, but they also act as a weakness: so epic in stature that it almost resembles an action film restrained to the stage.


Some bewildering choices are also made, including a baffling but rousing rendition of London Calling from Forbes Masson’s Cunobeline, which after no hint of anachronism in the first half takes place after the intermission. Also, a looming figure of the Iceni war goddess Andraste (Anna-Maria Nabirye) shadows Boudica, which works well, but at one time is adorned in a bizarre futuristic astronaut-like costume.


Nevertheless, Boudica works to rile up an audience. Visually striking and often arousing, it is an engaging and at times thoughtful imagining of this continuously influential and enigmatic icon.



What Boudica, Shakespeare's Globe review
Where The Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London, SE1 9DT | MAP
Nearest tube Blackfriars (underground)
When 08 Sep 17 – 01 Oct 17, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Price £5-£45
Website Book tickets



Most popular

10 things to do this weekend
Things to do in London this weekend: 15 - 17 January
Ellie Bamber and Billy Howle in The Serpent, BBC One (Photo: BBC)
The Serpent, BBC One review
UK Disneyland? Paramount Theme Park, Kent. Photo: Paramount
Everything you need to know about UK Disneyland, Kent's London Resort

Editor's Picks

THEATRE LONDON 2017
The best London theatre: autumn 2017
London Theatre Guide: best plays on now in London, 2019 (Photograph: Peter Lewicki)
London Theatre Guide: best plays on now in London, 2020
Young Vic new season 2017-18
Young Vic new season 2017-18
Jean-Michel BasquiatUntitled,1982Courtesy Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam. © The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York. Photo: Studio Tromp, Rotterdam
The best art exhibitions, autumn 2017
Saint George and the Dragon: National Theatre autumn season 2017
National Theatre booking: November 2017 and beyond
Sign up to CW’s newsletter
By entering my email I agree to the CultureWhisper Privacy Policy (we won`t share data & you can unsubscribe anytime).

Theatre

Things to Do

Autumn

You might like

  • The Fall, Baxter Theatre Centre at the University of Cape Town, Front_ Tankiso Mamabolo Back_ Ameera Conrad, Oarabile Ditsele, Sizwesandile Mnisi, Cleo Raatus, Sihle Mnqwazana, Thando Mangcu, picture by Oscar O’Ryan

    The Fall, Royal Court Theatre

  • Zoë Wanamaker and Toby Jones: The Birthday Party, Harold Pinter Theatre review. Photo by Johan Persson

    The Birthday Party, Harold Pinter Theatre review ★★★★★

  • Suranne Jones: Frozen play, London 2018

    Frozen, Theatre Royal Haymarket review ★★★★★

  • Lily James and Gillian Anderson: All About Eve, London Theatre 2019

    Lily James and Gillian Anderson: All About Eve, Noel Coward Theatre review ★★★★★

  • Natalie Dormer to star in Venus In Fur, London 2017

    Venus in Fur, Theatre Royal Haymarket review ★★★★★

  • David Morrissey and Ben Whishaw star in a new production of Julius Ceasar at London's Bridge Theatre

    Julius Caesar, The Bridge Theatre review ★★★★★



  • The Culture Whisper team
  • What is Culture Whisper membership
  • Corporate membership
  • Give a gift membership
  • Retrieve a gift membership
  • Contact us
  • Press
  • FAQ
  • Privacy
  • Terms and conditions
  • Cookies
  • Discover
  • Venues
  • Restaurants
  • Stations
  • Boroughs
Sign up to CW’s newsletter
By entering my email I agree to the CultureWhisper Privacy Policy (we won`t share data & you can unsubscribe anytime).
×