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  • Clare Higgins

    27 May 2009

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    Acclaimed actress Clare Higgins tells Caroline Bishop about the joy of the stage and the demise of the screen. Read more


All’s Well That Ends Well

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Showing at: National Theatre Olivier

Box Office: 020 7452 3000

Age: General

Genre: Play

Sub Genre: Play (Comedy)

All’s Well That End’s Well is the story of the feisty but lowly Helena, who falls in love with Bertram, a haughty count. To gain his hand she is set a string of impossible tasks. Even if accomplished, they can hardly guarantee his love. He refuses to bed her and yet says he will only be hers if she bears his child; and he lusts after another.  Nevertheless, our heroine, whether wisely or no, refuses to give him up.

Set against a background of sexism, snobbery and a battle between the generations, All’s Well That Ends Well turns fairytale logic on its head in a bittersweet story.

Three times Laurence Olivier Award-winner Clare Higgins (Best Actress for Hecuba, Vincent In Brixton and Sweet Bird Of Youth) leads the cast of All’s Well That Ends Well. Higgins recently appeared in the National Theatre productions of Oedipus, Landscape and A Slight Ache and Major Barbara.

Fellow Laurence Olivier Award-winner Conleth Hill (for Stones In His Pockets and The Producers) joins Higgins in All’s Well That Ends Well, alongside Michelle Terry, who plays Helena. Terry’s National Theatre credits include England People Very Nice.

All’s Well That Ends Well’s director Marianne Elliott has previously directed Harper Regan, Saint Joan, Pillars Of The Community, Mrs Affleck and War Horse at the National Theatre.

All’s Well That Ends Well plays as part of the Travelex £10 Tickets season.

For more about All's Well That Ends Well at the National Theatre, Olivier, read the First Night Feature.

Performance Details

  • previews from: 19 May 2009
  • opening night: 28 May 2009
  • closing: 30 Sep 2009

show times: In rep - please ring theatre for schedule

ticket prices: £10-£30

duration: 3h

cast: Clare Higgins, Conleth Hill, Oliver Ford Davies, Michelle Terry, Ben Allen, Cassie Atkinson, Jolyon Coy, Rob Delaney, Alex Felton, Hasina Haque, Robert Hastie, Brendan O'Hea, Janet Henfrey, Tony Jayawardene, Sioned Jones, Elliot Levey, Michael Mears, Tom Padley, George Rainsford, Michael Thomas, Oliver Wilson

author: William Shakespeare

director: Marianne Elliott

music by: Adam Cork

sound: Ian Dickinson

lighting designer: Peter Mumford

designer: Rae Smith

producer: National Theatre

map: View Map

Access Enabled Map (pdf format):
View The National Theatre Olivier Access Enabled Map

address: South Bank, London, United Kingdom, SE1 9PX

nearest tube: Waterloo (250m), Southwark

nearest bus: 76, 77, 211, 507, D1, D11, P11 (York Road)149, P11 (Stamford Street)1, 4, 26, 68, X68, 76, 168, 171, 171A, 176, 188, 501, 505, 521 (Waterloo Bridge)

nearest train: Waterloo (approx. 250m)

parking: 5 spaces reserved for orange badge holders at riverside end of Cottesloe Ave. 4 extra bays opposite Cottesloe theatre for evening performances. Car Park beneath theatre. Spaces reserved for disabled customers near lifts. Free parking voucher available from box office for orange badge holders (present ticket at information desk). Automatic doors and ramps from the Car Park to the lobby and lift.

air conditioned: Yes

Assisted Performance Booking Information

Access Booking: Tel 020 7452 3000 Information Desk 020 7452 3400

Accessible Facilities Venue Information

discounts: Discounts available for all disabled people.

limited mobility: Please ask to be seated in an aisle seat in the centre Stalls when you book.

access description: Main entrance reached from Upper Ground via Theatre Avenue to Theatre Square and a drop off point approx. 40m from main entrance. Lifts up to the Olivier Theatre to right of information desk (to both Stalls and Circle levels) or staircases further in on each side (49 steps to Stalls, further 44 to Circle). Olivier Box office on level 2. No steps to the back of the Stalls, 10 steps up to raised sections. Centre Stalls auditorium has gradual shallow steps with a handrail on aisles 2 and 4. Lift to row G of Circle and 18 steps down to the front. Power assisted doors and ramps to terraces from Level 2.

hearing impaired: Infra-red system with headsets or neck loops. Collect headsets/loops from box offices. Induction loops at service counters.

guide dogs policy: Guide dogs are not currently allowed in the auditorium, however staff are happy to dog sit. Dogs will be looked after in the cloakroom. Groups should contact the theatre manager’s office on 020 7452 3281.

wheelchairs: Lift to the Olivier Stalls. 3 spaces for wheelchair users in row R. A companion can sit next to the left-hand space in row R, or in the row. Transfer seating is available to aisle seats - wheelchairs stored at back of auditorium.

toilets: Women’s and men’s at Stalls and Circle levels.

disabled toilets: Adapted WC on the left side of the Stalls corridor.

bars: 6 licensed bars. Access information: No steps to the Olivier Stalls and Circle bars (spacious, moveable seats) from the lifts. Soft drinks may be brought to disabled customers in the auditorium. Chair lift down a flight of steps to the Circle café from level 3 - contact a member of staff for assistance. The menu is available in large print.

All’s Well That Ends Well

Clare Higgins as the Countess of Rossillion in All's Well That Ends Well (Photo: Simon Annand)

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