Friedrich Schiller wrote Mary Stuart, his first class political thriller, in 1800. Robert Icke’s urgent modern dress production, acted out on a circular revolving stage, feels very modern. The drama is totally gripping. Juliet Stevenson and Lia Williams alternate Elizabeth I and Mary. It doesn’t matter which you see. The actresses are equally impressive in both roles, emphasising the similarities rather than the differences, two sides of the same coin, one Catholic, the other Protestant.
The most famous scene, a face to face confrontation, pure fiction, works a treat. There is another memorable scene, this time based on fact, when Elizabeth hands her secretary a warrant for Mary’s execution and is deliberately ambiguous about whether he should keep it or deliver it immediately. Either way his neck is on the block. There are strong performances throughout. Strongly recommended