Name: The Constituent
Start: 2024-06-13
End: 2024-08-10
Location: Old Vic

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The Constituent - LON [41277]

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The Constituent

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‘I am not your punch bag! I am a Member of Parliament!’ 

An MP with an instinct for compassion. An ex-serviceman with a life in free fall. And a parliamentary protection officer who’s having none of it.  

Born in Beverley in 1977, Anna Maxwell Martin is an award-winning television and stage actress. She is best known for her stage role in *His Dark Materials* at the National Theatre and is currently starring in *The Constituent* at the Old Vic.

Growing up, Maxwell Martin would often take part in school productions, but eventually went on to read History at the University of Liverpool. After her undergraduate studies, she decided to pursue a professional career in the arts, graduating from the London Academy of Dramatic Arts and quickly making her professional stage debut.

Maxwell Martin made her London debut in *The Little Foxes* at the [Donmar Warehouse](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/donmar-warehouse) in 2001, before a series of National Theatre appearances in *The Coast of Utopia*, *Honour* and *Three Sisters*. In December 2003, she starred in the two-part stage adaptation of Philip Pullman’s *His Dark Materials* as Lyra Belacqua, receiving an Olivier Award nomination. [In a review for LondonTheatre.co.uk](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/reviews/his-dark-materials-part-one-and-two-2004), she “gave a phenomenal performance as Lyra… and is able to express anger, inquisitiveness, and loyalty with all the fierceness and passion that only those who still possess the simple candour of children are able to do.” 

After a few years in shows at the National, Maxwell Martin appeared in shows across the capital, including *Dumb Show* at the Royal Court and *Other Hands* at the Soho Theatre. In 2006, she was cast as Sally Bowles in *Cabaret* at the [Lyric Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/lyric-theatre), staying in the role for six months.

More recently, her stage credits include *King Lear* at the National in 2014, *Consent* at the National Theatre in 2017 and *Constellations* in 2021 alongside [Chris O’Dowd](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/actor-profile/chris-o-dowd).

Maxwell Martin’s television CV is as lengthy as her stage credits. She’s won BAFTA Awards for her roles in *Bleak House* and *Poppy Shakespeare*, as well as acclaimed performances in *South Riding* and Motherland and *Line of Duty*.

Anna Maxwell Martin - LON

Four stellar and diverse pairings explore the infinite possibilities of the multiverse

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Constellations - LON [23192]

Constellations

Constellations - LON [23192] Product Media

The inspiring multiple-cast run of Nick Payne's multiverse play&nbsp;<a href="https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/constellations-vaudeville-theatre">Constellations</a>&nbsp;continues to wow in the West End. Us lucky critics have already seen two pairs - Sheila Atim and Ivanno Jeremiah, and Zoë Wanamaker and Peter Capaldi (<a href="https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/reviews/constellations-vaudeville-theatre-sheila-atim-ivanno-jeremiah-zoe-wanamaker-peter-capaldi">reviewed here</a>) - as cosmologist Marianne and beekeeper Roland. In Payne's skilful dramatisation of the infinite variations in parallel universes, the couple variously get together or don't, break up for different reasons, get married or don't, and face a major health crisis.Now, it's the turn of the first same-sex casting, Russell Tovey and Omari Douglas, and probably the starriest pair yet, <a href="https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/actor-profile/anna-maxwell-martin">Anna Maxwell Martin</a> and <a href="https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/actor-profile/chris-o-dowd">Chris O'Dowd</a>. Once again, Michael Longhurst's impeccable revival (with vital creative work from Tom Scutt, Lee Curran and David McSeveney) shows the strength of this piece, which is powerful in every single reading, but flexible enough to allow for fascinating new interpretations.With her lightning-fast delivery and expressive face, Maxwell Martin conveys Marianne's brilliant mind perhaps best of all the performers in this season - and how that sometimes leads to a certain social awkwardness, as she shoots out a joke, then pulls an agonised expression when it bombs, or flips into hysterical giggles. It also makes the loss of that facility due to illness particularly horrifying: it's such an essential part of who she is. In the later scenes, Maxwell Martin accesses a raw agony.O'Dowd is her charming opposite, all warring insecurities and physical tics. There's perhaps an overreliance on bits of business (tying of shoelaces, doing exaggerated exercise warm-ups), but a neat example of how connection can click when two people are in the same headspace: on one date, O'Dowd's Roland is more drunk and Marianne, hot-tempered in Maxwell Martin's reading, quickly grows irritated; in another, they're both merrily tipsy and it eases them into further intimacy.O'Dowd lands the comic moments expertly, such as Roland having his mind blown by the notion of cosmic predestination, or suddenly finding there's an alarming audience for his fumbling proposal. Both actors could project their performances a little more, but there's plenty to enjoy here.However, for me, the out-and-out winner of this quartet is the pairing of Tovey and Douglas - the latter building on his superb work in recent TV hit It's A Sin. Douglas makes the most radical choice with the academic character, here changed from Marianne to Emmanuel: instead of making him prickly and closed off, he uses that brilliance to be playful and flirtatious.&nbsp;<div style="text-align:center"><figure class="image" style="display:inline-block"><img alt="" height="500" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/2lo5Jy9Pe39BxpJEKcQFLz/7891bcdf346ebf94cc59e47bb8bfb571/Omari_Douglas_and_Russell_Tovey-Constellations_750x500.png" width="750" /><figcaption>Omari Douglas and Russell Tovey in&nbsp;Constellations&nbsp;(Photo by Marc Brenner)</figcaption></figure></div>There's an immediate heat between the two men, even as they tease out that extra layer of whether the other man is queer; Tovey refers first to a wife, then a husband. The elbow-licking opening salvo has never seemed quite so sexy, and the honey exchange is given a simmering subtext, along with little touches and articulate body language that conveys so much more. Their first kiss is all smouldering intensity; the marriage proposal draws cheers and applause.The sheer authenticity of that emotional connection raises the stakes of the whole play: you invest in them not just because you want this couple to beat the multiverse odds, but because you care about them wholeheartedly. And though of course our society has improved immeasurably when it comes to LBGTQ+ acceptance, there's a slight sense of fragility - that it's even more special when they find each other, and such happiness, and its potential loss is all the more tragic.There's also the most exciting variation here between each repeated scene, with both actors taking big swings - whether leaning into the darker conflict, including a moment of shocking violence, or revealing new shades of each character. The dancing sequence is a highlight, as is the sign language scene, and, later in the story, their wrestling against a terrible inevitability feels utterly human, and universal.This experiment has been an absolute triumph: a creative response to Covid necessity, and a reminder of the boundless magic of theatre. Bravo.<a href="https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/constellations-vaudeville-theatre">Constellations is running at the Vaudeville Theatre until 12 September. Book tickets to Constellations today.&nbsp;</a>Photo credit:&nbsp;Anna Maxwell Martin and Chris O'Dowd in Constellations (Photo by Marc Brenner)

‘Constellations’ continues to triumph with new acting pairs in the multiverse

The Vaudeville Theatre opened in 1870, designed by C.J. Phipps. The Vaudeville Theatre is on the Strand, close to the [Adelphi Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/adelphi-theatre) and the [Savoy Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/savoy-theatre). 

Like many West End theatres, the Vaudeville has been closed for a prolonged period of time to allow for renovation work. The current theatre that stands opened in 1926, and has seen plays including *Hedda Gabler* and *Private Lives*. 

## Vaudeville Theatre Seating Information

The auditorium has three levels - Stalls, Dress Circle and Grand Circle.

The Stalls offers very good views of the stage. There is a light raking in the seating throughout the Stalls which helps with sightlines, and the legroom is good too.
T
he Dress Circle offers good views of the stage, and feels close to the action due to the intimate size of the theatre. View from Row G onwards are affected by the overhang of the Grand Circle.

Though the theatre is small, the Grand Circle feels quite far from the stage.

## Where is *Six* in London?

*Six* is at the Vaudeville Theatre in London. The Vaudeville Theatre is located on the Strand. It's close to West End theatres including the Savoy Theatre and the Adelphi Theatre.

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Vaudeville Theatre

The Old Vic, originally named the Royal Coburg Theatre, was designed in 1818 by Rudolph Cabanel. Its name was later changed to the Royal Victoria Theatre, then the Royal Victoria Hall, before it took on its nickname of 'The Old Vic' as its official name in 1925. 

The Old Vic has housed acclaimed performances with such celebrated actors as John Gielgud’s *Hamlet*, Laurence Olivier’s *Macbeth* and *Othello* in 1937, and Judi Dench’s Juliet in *Romeo and Juliet*, which was privately performed for The Queen in 1957.

In 1963, the Old Vic became the home base of the [National Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/national-theatre) of Great Britain during its formation under Laurence Olivier. The theatre continued to host the National Theatre until the move to South Bank in 1976. 

There are two entrances to the Old Vic: one on The Cut and the other on Waterloo Road, which is an accessible entrance. In 2019, 'Penny', an accessible basement cafe and bar was opened, offering drinks, sandwiches and snacks. 

## Old Vic Seating Information

The auditorium has three levels - Stalls, Dress Circle, and the Lilian Baylis Circle.

Despite the Dress Circle overhang, this doesn’t affect the view due to pillars. There is also a staggered rake that will be noticeable from row J to allow better viewing.

The Lilian Baylis Circle is high above the ground and overhangs the Dress Circle at row C meaning row E will miss the top of the stage. There are also standing seats available at the sides of this circle.

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Old Vic

Born in Beverley in 1977, Anna Maxwell Martin is an award-winning television and stage actress. She is best known for her stage role in His Dark Materials at the National Theatre.

Anna Maxwell Martin - Stars on Stage | London Theatre

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Zachary Hart is currently starring in *The Constituent* at London’s Old Vic Theatre.

Hart’s other stage credits include Philo/Claudius in *Julius Caesar* at the Bridge Theatre in 2018 and Billing in *An Enemy of the People* at the Duke of York’s Theatre in 2024, which also starred Matt Smith.

On screen, he has appeared in the 2022 film *Jericho Ridge* and TV series such as *Bodies, The Witcher, Peaky Blinders*, and *Masters of the Air*.


Zachary Hart — LON

Zachary Hart’s stage credits include Philo/Claudius in *Julius Caesar* and Billing in *An Enemy of the People*.

Zachary Hart - Stars on Stage | London Theatre

Zachary Hart - Stars on Stage

James Corden is currently starring in *The Constituent* at London’s Old Vic Theatre.

He first gained prominence with the BBC sitcom *Gavin & Stacey* in 2007, which he co-wrote and starred in. He has also appeared in films such as *Into the Woods* (2014) and *Cats* (2019), and has hosted major events like the Tony Awards. 

Corden was last seen on stage in 2012, for his performance as Francis Henshall in *One Man, Two Guvnors*, a comedy by Richard Bean, in which he won the Tony Award for Best Lead Actor in a Play. He also starred in the 2004 revival of Alan Bennett's *The History Boys*, both in the West End and on Broadway.

Corden's fame expanded in the US when he became the host of *The Late Late Show with James Corden* in 2015, noted for popular segments like "Carpool Karaoke." 


James Corden — LON

James Corden first gained prominence with the BBC sitcom *Gavin & Stacey* in 2007, which he co-wrote and starred in.

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