Theatre: Britannicus The Albery (0171-416 6003)

In Jonathan Kent's excellent modern-dress staging of Racine's Britannicus, Toby Stephens shines as Nero, enthroned over the rightful heir, Britannicus (Kevin McDidd), thanks to his mother, Agrippina, played with supreme comic skill by Diana Rigg. Robert David MacDonald's rhyming translation has vigour and moments of blackly comic balefulness. Pairing this play with Phedre was a smart move, producing a Racine season that could go under the collective title Some Sons Do 'Ave 'Em.

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