Mary Stuart Revival 2018

'Heads.' One word, and one coin toss, decides which roles Juliet Stevenson and Lia Williams will play on the night: the titular Mary, or her rival Elizabeth I. Last night Williams took the latter - the company immediately bowing to her. It was a comic moment that underlined a key theme: fortune is fickle, and power is a mirage.

Following a critically acclaimed, sold-out season at the Almeida in 2016-17, Robert Icke's new adaptation of Mary Stuarttransfers to the Duke of York's Theatre in London's West End from Saturday 13 January for a limited run. The production will then visit Theatre Royal Bath from Wednesday 4 Saturday 14 April, Salford Lowry from Tuesday 17 Saturday 21 April and Cambridge Arts Theatre from Monday 23 Saturday 28 April 2018.

Mary Stuart returns to the London stage, following a sell out run at the Almeida Theatre. Playing the role of Mortimer, Rudi Dharmalingam spoke to us about preparing to revisit the character, working with director Robert Icke, and the significance of the play today.