News

Robert Harris’ Cicero Trilogy announced as part of The RSC’s new season

Robert Harris’ best-selling Cicero trilogy will be adapted by Mike Poulton in a new stage production to be directed by RSC Artistic Director, Gregory Doran. It will be performed as part of the RSC’s new season, announced today.

Robert Harris says of the forthcoming production:

“It's a curious fact that Shakespeare in his Roman plays gives hardly any lines to Cicero, arguably the greatest orator in history. So I'm especially delighted that through the RSC his voice will at last be heard on stage in Stratford. There could hardly be a more timely moment to look at the collapse of the Roman Republic, a political institution destroyed by ambition, money and unscrupulous demagogues who treated the laws with contempt.”

Robert Harris’ books including ImperiumLustrum and Dictator are published by Hutchinson, a hardback imprint and Arrow a paperback imprint of Cornerstone Publishing.

Staged as six plays, presented in two performances, Part I: Conspirator and Part II: Dictator, this epic event will trace the triumphs and disasters of Rome’s greatest orator, as he defends Rome’s Republic against the predatory attacks of political rivals, discontented aristocrats and would-be military dictators. Told through the eyes of Cicero’s loyal secretary, Tiro, this is a backstage view of Rome at its most bloody and brutal. 

Details of the Production:

Imperium: The Cicero Plays, a new adaptation by Mike Poulton of Robert Harris’ Cicero Trilogy, directed by Gregory Doran

Part 1: Conspirator 16 November 2017 – 10 February 2018

Part 2: Dictator 23 November 2017 – 10 February 2018

Booking details:

01789 403493 or www.rsc.org.uk

Press Enquiries

For more information on this story please get in touch via our media contacts.

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more