All's Well That Ends Well

Marianne Elliott directs. The cast includes Oliver Ford Davies, Clare Higgins (as the Countess of Rossillion), Janet Henfrey, Conleth Hill (Parolles), Sioned Jones, Elliot Levey, Brendan O'Hea, George Rainsford (Bertram), Michelle Terry (Helena) and Michael Thomas.

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.

Set against a background of sexism, snobbery and a battle between the generations, All's Well That Ends Well turns fairytale logic on its head in a bittersweet story; this is the first production of the play at the National.