• Review For Us
    • In London or across the UK
    • at Edinburgh Fringe
  • List Your Show
  • Advertising
  • Musicals
  • Plays
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Previews
  • First Look
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
    • Edinburgh Fringe Interviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
    • Edinburgh Fringe Interviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home Interviews

Interview: Geoffrey Streatfeild on Watch on the Rhine at Donmar Warehouse

“Like all great plays, it speaks to the time it was written and it speaks to us today - and pretty urgently at that”

by Greg Stewart
November 24, 2022
Reading Time: 3 mins read
Geoffrey Streatfeild

Geoffrey Streatfeild

Geoffrey Streatfeild stars as David Farrelly in Lillian Hellman’s masterpiece political thriller Watch on the Rhine at the Donmar Warehouse.

Part of the Donmar’s 30th anniversary season, the first major London revival of Watch on the Rhine in over 40 years, directed by Ellen McDougall, opens on 15 December, with previews from 9 December, and runs until 4 February 2023. Tickets are on sale here.

It is the first production to provide £10 tickets for audiences aged under 30 to mark the special milestone of the Donmar’s 30th birthday with support from Associate Sponsor Barclays.

       

You’re starring in Watch on the Rhine at the Donmar Warehouse, what can you tell us about this play?

Set in 1940, it’s a neglected classic by a great writer. Through the prism of a Chekhovian style, country-house family homecoming, it evolves into an explosive thriller about America waking up to the threat of fascism.

This is the first time the play has been seen in London for over 40 years, why do you think now is the right time for a revival? 

Like all great plays, it speaks to the time it was written and it speaks to us today – and pretty urgently at that. Hellman leaves us in no doubt of the need to engage with real and rising fascism right here, right now.

You mightalso like

Samira Wiley and Nicola Hughes in INTIMATE APPAREL Donmar Warehouse photo by Helen Murray (1)

Review: Intimate Apparel at Donmar Warehouse

Donmar Schools Tour Image supplied by publicist

Frankenstein Adjusts His Ring Light (And Then Starts Dancing) Begins Donmar Warehouse’s 2025 Local Schools’ Tour

What was it about Lillian Hellman’s script that made you want to be part of the production?

I found it very moving. It threw me off balance. The way the political meets the personal is heart breaking. And it’s got good jokes.

Tell us a little more about your character?

He’s something of a failure and not much engaged with real life either emotionally or politically. But the play slaps him round the face and he finally wakes up, if only through self-interest.

What are you looking forward to most about working at the Donmar?

Being on stage. Being both intimate and epic, the Donmar is ideal for this play and the audiences there are always great.  The kids in the show are dynamite so being backstage could be pretty lively too.

What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Watch on the Rhine?

Book away.  I think it’s a very special play and hopefully we’ll make it crackle.

       
Greg Stewart

Greg Stewart

Greg is an award-winning writer with a huge passion for theatre. He has appeared on stage, as well as having directed several plays in his native Scotland. Greg is the founder and editor of Theatre Weekly

Related Articles

Samira Wiley and Nicola Hughes in INTIMATE APPAREL Donmar Warehouse photo by Helen Murray (1)
Reviews

Review: Intimate Apparel at Donmar Warehouse

Donmar Schools Tour Image supplied by publicist
News

Frankenstein Adjusts His Ring Light (And Then Starts Dancing) Begins Donmar Warehouse’s 2025 Local Schools’ Tour

Samira Wiley and Claudia Jolly in rehearsals for INTIMATE APPAREL Donmar Warehouse photo by Helen Murray
First Look

First Look Rehearsal Images Released for Intimate Apparel at Donmar Warehouse

Brendan Coyle and Kasper Hilton Hille in DEALER'S CHOICE Donmar photo by Helen Murray
Reviews

Review: Dealer’s Choice at Donmar Warehouse

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Twitter Facebook Youtube Instagram

At Theatre Weekly we give theatre a new audience. You'll find our theatre news, theatre reviews and theatre interviews are written from an audience point of view. Our great value London theatre tickets will get you the best deal for your theatre tickets.
Theatre Weekly, 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
  • Join Our Community
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising

Recent News

Jude Kelly headshot (Credit Ellie Kurttz)

The WOW Show with Jude Kelly Announces Star-Studded Line-Up for Edinburgh Festival Fringe

The Enormous Crocodile image supplied by publicist

The Enormous Crocodile The Musical Announces Major 2026 UK Tour

© 2022 Theatre Weekly

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tickets
  • Digital Theatre
  • News
    • News
    • West End
    • Off West End
    • Regional & Tours
    • Digital
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
    • Edinburgh Fringe Interviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer

© 2022 Theatre Weekly