Travesties is an award-winning play written by legendary playwright Tom Stoppard. Set in Zürich, Switzerland, the play centers on English consular official Henry Carr, who is based in the city during Wold War I and living amongst some very interesting people. Henry crosses paths with the likes of the communist revolutionary Lenin, Irish author James Joyce and the founder of Dadism, Tristan Tzara. Each encounter brings its own hilarious moments, unlike anything you have seen before. Travesties stars Tom Hollander who is well known for his work on stage and screen, notably in Pirates of the Caribbean and the 2013 fantasy drama About Time.
Wonderfully witty and funny play, all the actors on top form with a major success on their hands. Very pleased that the Menier CF managed the transfer to the West End, giving many more people a chance to catch it.
Jeremy22 Feb 2017
Wonderfully witty and funny play, all the actors on top form with a major success on their hands. Very pleased that the Menier CF managed the transfer to the West End, giving many more people a chance…
Jeremy22 Feb 2017
Witty, fast, energetic… Thoroughly enjoyed it. Top performance from Tom Hollander and the rest of the cast. Apollo Theatre 17/02/17
Amy19 Feb 2017
Witty, fast, energetic… Thoroughly enjoyed it. Top performance from Tom Hollander and the rest of the cast. Apollo Theatre 17/02/17
Amy19 Feb 2017
Brilliant high energy performances, very clever and witty, agree it helps to know ‘Ernest’ but not vital as the changes and allusions come thick and fast. Memorable performances by superb cast.
SUSAN Harris17 Feb 2017
Brilliant high energy performances, very clever and witty, agree it helps to know ‘Ernest’ but not vital as the changes and allusions come thick and fast. Memorable performances by superb cast.
SUSAN Harris17 Feb 2017
Very witty performance of this very clever play. You need your brain in gear to keep up with the literary and historical references. Seemingly effortless performance from Tom Hollander. Excellent performances all round. Go and see it!!
Helen Wyld8 Feb 2017
Very witty performance of this very clever play. You need your brain in gear to keep up with the literary and historical references. Seemingly effortless performance from Tom Hollander. Excellent…
Helen Wyld8 Feb 2017
Failed to see it at the Menier. Caught up at Apollo yesterday. Incredibly energetic and wonderfully inventive. I agree knowing The Importance helps but you will laugh anyway. Why has it taken so long to revive this?
Harriet4 Feb 2017
Failed to see it at the Menier. Caught up at Apollo yesterday. Incredibly energetic and wonderfully inventive. I agree knowing The Importance helps but you will laugh anyway. Why has it taken so long…
Harriet4 Feb 2017
The best play I’ve seen, in fact it was amazing. Fantastic performances by all the cast. Want to see it again. Utterly Brilliant. For Feb 3rd 2017 performance at The Apollo, London.
Ania4 Feb 2017
The best play I’ve seen, in fact it was amazing. Fantastic performances by all the cast. Want to see it again. Utterly Brilliant. For Feb 3rd 2017 performance at The Apollo, London.
Ania4 Feb 2017
Enjoyed this production so much! We saw it at the Menier and it was sensational. Tom Hollander was just wonderful he carried you through this funny set of circumstances but every member of the cast had you in their spell. Never seen Importance of being Ernest nor do I know much about Lenin so don’t be put off if you don’t. It is a joy to watch such superb artistry.
Roberta Fowler19 Jan 2017
Enjoyed this production so much! We saw it at the Menier and it was sensational. Tom Hollander was just wonderful he carried you through this funny set of circumstances but every member of the cast…
Roberta Fowler19 Jan 2017
Seen once at Menier and seeing it again. Clever and funny and you really do not need to know all about Lenin and Joyce though it helps if you’ve seen “The Importance of Being Earnest”.
Barbie2 Nov 2016
Seen once at Menier and seeing it again. Clever and funny and you really do not need to know all about Lenin and Joyce though it helps if you’ve seen “The Importance of Being Earnest”.
Following a sell-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Patrick Marber’s revival of Tom Stoppard’s award-winning play Travesties transfers to the West End. Starring Tom Hollander as Henry Carr, the war-time comedy received rave reviews from audiences and critics alike Opening at London’s Apollo Theatre, Travesties begins preview performances on February 3rd 2017.
Set primarily in Zürich, Switzerland, Travesties follows English diplomat Henry Carr during the First World War. Living in the city, Henry surrounds himself with beloved characters, including communist revolutionary Lenin, Tristan Tzara and Irish writer James Joyce – as well as Gwendolen and Cecily from Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. Henry knows he was Algernon in a production of the play, but as this dazzling comedy reaches a mind-boggling climax, you begin to wonder just what he truly remembers – or misremembers.
Premiering at the Aldwych Theatre in 1974 before transferring to Broadway, Travesties was first directed by Peter Wood, with the original production scooping the Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy and the Tony Award for Best Play. Last seen at the Savoy Theatre in 1993, this revival is the first in over 20 years. Travesties opens at the Apollo Theatre, beginning performances in February 2017.
Cast and Creative
Patrick Marber directs the revival, with previous directing credits including Closer at the National, Lyric Theatre and Broadway, Three Days in the Country at the National Theatre and Dealer’s Choice, amongst many more. Travesties features design by Tim Hatley and lighting design by Neil Austin, with sound design and original music by Adam Cork.
Written by Academy and Tony Award-winning playwright Tom Stoppard, Travesties is one in many of his plays that has been seen on the West End. One of the most performed dramatists around the world, Stoppard’s best-known plays include The Hard Problem, The Real Inspector Hound, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Arcadia and Shakespeare in Love.
Tom Hollander stars as Henry Carr, with previous theatre credits including A Flea in Her Ear, The Threepenny Opera, The Judas Kiss and Tartuffe, amongst many more. Hollander is also well-known for his screen appearances, including the recent Doctor Thorne, The Night Manager, Rev., About Time, Pirates of the Caribbean and Desperate Romantics. Further cast members include Amy Morgan as Gwendolen, Freddie Fox as Tristan Tzara, Clare Foster as Cecily, Forbes Masson as Lenin, Sarah Quist as Nadya and Peter McDonald as James Joyce, with Tim Wallers as Bennett.
Show Lengths and Times
Travesties opens at the Apollo Theatre London for preview performances beginning February 3rd, with an official opening night on February 15th 2017. The play is set to run until April 29th 2017.
Show running time is 2 hours and 25 minutes, including an interval.
Suitable for Children?
Travesties may not be suitable for young children.
Tickets
Tickets for Travesties at the Apollo Theatre London are now on sale and you can book them above.
