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Theatre

Constellations, Vaudeville Theatre review ★★★★★

18 Jun 21 – 12 Sep 21, Performances times vary, run time 70 mins

Constellations, Nick Payne’s seminal play probing the infinite possibilities facing a relationship returns to the West End with four diverse and starry casts

By Holly O'Mahony on 13/8/2021

7 CW readers are interested
Joe Armstrong and Louise Brealey: Constellations UK tour
Joe Armstrong and Louise Brealey: Constellations UK tour
Constellations, Vaudeville Theatre review 4 Constellations, Vaudeville Theatre review Lucy Brooks
Constellations, Nick Payne’s celebrated two-hander that draws on advanced physics to illustrate the infinite possibilities facing a relationship, has returned to the West End with four diverse and starry casts portraying the focal couple. Director Michael Longhurst, who has nurtured the production through its various incarnations, is again at the helm.


The story follows quantum physicist Marianne and beekeeper Roland who meet at a barbecue. As scenes repeat themselves with different outcomes, the audience is offered a glimpse of the many futures this initial interaction could spark.


The story first ruptured at the Royal Court theatre in 2012 in a celebrated production starring Rafe Spall and Sally Hawkins, which propelled then 29-year-old Payne to theatrical stardom. In 2015, it exploded onto Broadway, with Jake Gyllenhaal making his Broadway debut opposite Ruth Wilson, who received a Tony nomination for her performance. Constellations returned to London later that year – now with a big and overwhelmingly positive reputation behind it – where it played at the West End’s Trafalgar Studios, starring Louise Brealey (Sherlock) and Joe Armstrong (Robin Hood, The Hollow Crown).


Having impressed the majority of critics and the public alike, leaving a trail of shiny reviews in its wake, it's no wonder this revival has been one of the most hyped-up openings on the West End this year. But this time, things are being done differently; as is fitting for a play centered around the fact that the interactions of any given moment could lead to infinite possibilities, not one but four exciting casts are bringing the story to life throughout the run, each couple lending the story different nuance and meaning. And while previous productions have only portrayed the duo as white heterosexuals in their thirties, this revival also diversifies the couple's relationship in terms of age, race and sexual orientation.


Reviewing the production as a whole would be impossible without seeing all four duos slip into the skins of Marianne and Roland, infusing their interactions with altered shades of intent, desire and intimacy.


The longest run, from 18 June – 1 August, sees Shelia Atim (Les Blancs, Twelfth Night) and Ivanno Jeremiah (Humans) step into the shoes of Marianne and Roland. Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who) and Zoë Wannamaker (Harry Potter, My Family) will explore a mature take on the story from 23 June - 24 July. Then Omari Douglas (It’s a Sin) and Russell Tovey (Being Human, Years & Years) will embody the story as a same-sex couple from 30 July – 11 September, before Anna Maxwell Martin (Line of Duty) and Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids) complete the run from 6 August – 12 September.




What Constellations, Vaudeville Theatre review
Where Vaudeville Theatre, 404 Strand, London, WC2R 0NH | MAP
Nearest tube Charing Cross (underground)
When 18 Jun 21 – 12 Sep 21, Performances times vary, run time 70 mins
Price £23+
Website Click here for more information and to book



Up to £89
Joe Armstrong and Louise Brealey: Constellations UK tour
Booking closed
18 Jun 21 - 12 Sep 21

Constellations, Vaudeville Theatre

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A little more...

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  • What the critics say

    THE TELEGRAPH

    "if I see a more ingenious, touching and intellectually searching play than Constellations this year, I will count myself very lucky."

    Charles Spencer

    THE GUARDIAN

    "Payne throws the boy-meets-girl story in the air and makes us look at it afresh. Love may be a happy accident, but it is a deeply felt one – as is this play, which comes with a masterstroke: we can choose our own ending from multiple possibilities."

    Lyn Gardner 

What members say

    Spectacular, spine-tingling performance that completely lived up to the expectations. A remarkably honest love story with all the side-splitting highs Read more

    Ali Godwin

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