The Changeling

Joe Hill-Gibbins directs Thomas Middleton and William Rowley's tale of lust, murder, madness and adultery.

Beautiful Beatrice-Joanna is in love, so she hires the repellent De Flores to kill the man her father wants her to marry. But once the deed is done Beatrice discovers it's not money or jewels that De Flores intends to claim as his reward, but something far more precious.

The Changeling is a gripping tale of how love and sex can drive us mad.

Thomas Middleton was born in London in 1580. He was twelve when the Plague broke out in 1582 killing thousands of Londoners. His plays are known for their cynicism and delve into uncomfortable truths about sex, poverty, disease, political corruption and religious hypocrisy.

The Changeling (co-written with William Rowley) is considered to be his greatest tragedy and was first performed in 1622 at the Phoenix Theatre on Drury Lane.

Joe Hill-Gibbins is deputy artistic director of Young Vic where he has directed The Beauty Queen of Leenane, The Glass Menagerie, The Girlfriend Experience and A Respectable Wedding. In 2002 he won the JMK Award for young directors.

The Changeling is at The Maria theatre.