All's Well That Ends Well - National Theatre 2009

Genre: Comedy
Opened 28 May 2009
Written: by William Shakespeare
Directed: Marianne Elliott
Cast: Oliver Ford Davies (King of France), Clare Higgins (as the Countess of Rossillion), Conleth Hill (Parolles), George Rainsford (Bertram), Michelle Terry (Helena)
Synopsis: The feisty but lowly Helena 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'll 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.

What the popular press had to say....
HENRY HITCHINGS for THE EVENING STANDARD says, "Gorgeous production...a rewarding production." MICHAEL BILLINGTON for THE GUARDIAN says, "Wondrous revival...The joy of the production is that it balances romance and realism...In short, [Marianne] Elliott gives us a fairytale for grown-ups." BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE for THE TIMES says, "What Elliott's revival ends up suggesting is a gorgeous mix of Gormenghast and Grimm." HEATHER NEILL for THE STAGE says, "Exuberant production...immensely enjoyable evening" SARAH HEMMING for THE FINANCIAL TIMES says, "Immensely imaginative staging." RHODA KOENING for THE INDEPENDENT says, "With a cast that drifts in and out of audibility, this All's Well needs more attention to basics, including the human need, far more basic than that for diversion, to be reassured that our yearnings are taken seriously by kindly gods."

External links to full reviews from popular press
The Guardian
The Times
Financial Times
The Independent

Production photos by Simon Annand