‘An engaging production and an arresting way to stage the downfall of a contested figure in Stuart history’ | The Guardian

‘Douglas Henshall, star of the TV series Shetland, is superb as the haughty, dyspeptic courtier forced to defend himself and his queen under interrogation’ | The Times 

‘Munro’s short, keenly focused script is fiercely relevant’ | The Stage

‘Brilliant depiction of political persuasion’ | Time Out 

‘An excellently taut and satisfying account of intrigue and betrayal’ | The Arts Desk

‘A superb staging by Roxana Silbert’ | The Arts Desk

It’s 1567. Meet James Melville, an intelligent, charismatic and skilled diplomat who is also one of the most loyal servants of Mary Stuart, the troubled Queen of Scots.  It’s a time of political turmoil and the shocking crimes he has witnessed have shaken him. Now he needs to decide who’s guilty, who’s innocent, and who is too dangerous to accuse.

Change is coming, but at what price?

Rona Munro’s new political thriller marks her welcome return to Hampstead after her successes with Bold Girls (1991), The Maiden Stone (1995), Snake (1999), Little Eagles (2011) and Donny’s Brain (2012). Famous for her work on Doctor Who as well as her writing for film, TV and radio, Mary is a standalone play but also a companion piece to The James Plays cycle (James I, II, and III, National Theatre of Scotland and National Theatre; James IV, Raw Material and Capital Theatres in association with National Theatre of Scotland), winner of the Evening Standard and Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Awards in 2014.

Roxana Silbert, Hampstead’s Artistic Director (The Haystack, ‘night, Mother, The Fever Syndrome, Folk) reunites with Munro, having previously directed her plays Iron (Royal Court) and Little Eagles (Hampstead).

Douglas Henshall, star of BBC’s Shetland, last seen at Hampstead in 2012 as Oliver Cromwell in 55 Days, returns to play Melville. His theatre work includes Network (National Theatre); Betrayal (Comedy) and The Cryptogram (Donmar). For film and television, Shetland (series 1-7); The Small Hand; Outlander; Hotel Taliban and Primeval (3 Series).

Rona Morison also stars. Her theatre work includes The Haystack (Hampstead Theatre); The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (Donmar); The James Plays (National Theatre) and To Kill a
Mockingbird (Regent’s Park). For film and television, Our Ladies; Solo: A Star Wars Story; The Control Room and Absentia.

Brian Vernel also stars. His theatre work includes Stories (National Theatre); The Seagull (Lyric Hammersmith) and Four Parts Broken (National Theatre of Scotland/Traverse Theatre/
Oran Mor). His Film and TV work includes Dunkirk; Star Wars: The Force Awakens; Gangs of London (Series 1 & 2); Collateral; The Tunnel and Dr Who.