French screen and stage actress Isabelle Huppert makes a rare London appearance to portray one of Greek mythology’s most enigmatic and controversial characters at the Barbican Theatre, Phaedra, her story relocated to a modern world.

Driven by lust, Phaedra burns with illicit desire for her immovable, hedonistic step-son. But even while bonded in the closest physical proximity, her loved one remains as inaccessible and cold as ever.

Krzysztof Warlikowski, Artistic Director of Warsaw’s Nowy Teatr, reconstructs classical plays with a radical fervour that puts his controversial work at the cutting edge of progressive European theatre. Passionate about the Greeks, he now turns to a mysterious queen – and her many incarnations. His new production is based on the complete text of Sarah Kane’s provocative Phaedra’s Love.

Other content includes original material developed in collaboration with Lebanese-Canadian playwright Wajdi Mouawad and extracts from J M Coetzee’s novel Elizabeth Costello.

Performed in French with English surtitles, this show contains adult content and is only suitable for ages 16+.