Tristan & Yseult

Tristan & Yseult at Alexandra Palace Theatre 2027

The original, critically acclaimed production of Tristan & Yseult comes to Alexandra Palace Theatre in north London from Thursday 11 to Saturday 27 March 2027. It is the show's first London run in ten years, following its last London season at Shakespeare's Globe in 2017.

Adapted and directed by Emma Rice, the production is produced jointly by Emma Rice Company, Alexandra Palace Theatre, York Theatre Royal and Nottingham Playhouse. The production is billed as remade, remastered and truly unmissable.

The story and what to expect

At the heart of the story is a love triangle between King Mark, his queen Yseult and Tristan. Their tale of forbidden love unfolds through live music, comedy and movement, while the Club of the Unloved offers a different view of the passions of the people at its centre.

First created in 2003, Tristan & Yseult took the theatrical world by storm. Visceral, playful and heartbreakingly beautiful, it blends myth, music, movement and storytelling into an unforgettable night out.

According to the producers, the production's return has been met with acclaim, with five stars from The Times and BroadwayWorld and four stars from The Guardian, WhatsOnStage and The Stage. The Guardian called it "utterly irresistible" and WhatsOnStage said "every theatre lover should see it at least once".

Tristan & Yseult cast

Nandi Bhebhe plays Yseult, John Leader plays Tristan and Edward Rowe plays King Mark. They are joined by Matthew Churcher as Frocin, Tom Fox as Morholt and Brangian, and Stephanie Hockley as Whitehands. Jack Heydon and Nigel Sudarkasa play Love Spotters.

The performing company also includes the musicians. Stu Barker, who also composed the score, appears as a Love Spotter and musician, alongside Philippa Hogg and Harry Miller as Love Spotters and musicians, and Pat Moran as a Love Spotter and performing musical director.

Creative team

The play is written by Anna Maria Murphy and Carl Grose and adapted and directed by Emma Rice, with music by Stu Barker, sound design by Simon Baker, lighting design by Malcolm Rippeth and choreography and intimacy coordination by Etta Murfitt. The original set and costume design by Bill Mitchell has been refreshed by Vicki Mortimer.

Tristan & Yseult was originally produced by Kneehigh and Emma Rice. It opened in the open air at Restormel Castle in Cornwall and Rufford Abbey in Nottinghamshire, played the Minack Theatre at Porthcurno in 2004, and was reimagined as an indoor production for the Cottesloe at the National Theatre in 2005. Emma Rice now leads Emma Rice Company.

Dates and times

Tristan & Yseult plays Alexandra Palace Theatre from Thursday 11 March to Saturday 27 March 2027, with press night on Friday 12 March. Evening performances start at 7.30pm. Wednesday and Saturday matinees start at 2pm, apart from the opening Saturday, 13 March, which has an evening performance only. Sunday performances on 14 and 21 March are at 1pm and 5pm. Doors open one hour before each performance.

Who is it for

The venue's age guidance is adults and brave children aged 8 and over. The running time is 2 hours 10 minutes, including a 20 minute interval. The production contains strobe lighting, smoke or haze and some loud noises, and it also features smoking, implied sexual activity and implied violence.

Accessible performances

There is an audio described performance on Thursday 18 March 2027 at 7.30pm and a captioned performance on Wednesday 24 March 2027 at 2pm. The venue has not listed a relaxed or BSL interpreted performance for this run.

Alexandra Palace Theatre, London's oldest new theatre

Alexandra Palace Theatre first opened in 1875 and held audiences of up to 3,000 for pantomime, opera, drama and ballet. It later served as a cinema, a chapel and a BBC prop store before standing closed to the public for 80 years. It was restored and reopened in 2018, and is now known as London's oldest new theatre, keeping its distinctive arrested decay interior.

Getting to Alexandra Palace Theatre

The theatre is at Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY. Alexandra Palace station has trains from Moorgate and King's Cross, Wood Green is the nearest Piccadilly line station, and the W3 bus runs from Finsbury Park.