Man and Superman

Academy Award® nominee Ralph Fiennes (The English Patient, Schindler’s List, Oedipus at the National Theatre) plays Jack Tanner in this exhilarating reinvention of Shaw’s witty, provocative classic.

Jack Tanner, celebrated radical thinker and rich bachelor, seems an unlikely choice as guardian to the alluring heiress, Ann. But she takes it in her assured stride and, despite the love of a poet, decides to marry and tame this dazzling revolutionary. Tanner, appalled by the whiff of domesticity, is tipped off by his chauffeur and flees to Spain, where he is captured by bandits and meets the Devil. An extraordinary dream-debate, heaven versus hell, ensues. Following in hot pursuit, Ann is there when Tanner awakes, as fierce in her certainty as he is in his.

A romantic comedy, an epic fairy tale, a fiery philosophical debate, Man and Superman asks fundamental questions about how we live.

The running time includes one 15-minute intermission.

★★★★ ‘Dazzling. Ralph Fiennes proves his star status. Indira Varma is a triumph.’ The Times

★★★★ ‘Astonishing. A masterly performance from Ralph Fiennes, Tim McMullan is supremely funny.’ Guardian

★★★★ ‘Ralph Fiennes gives one of the best performances of his career.’ Independent

★★★★ ‘Simon Godwin mischievously blows the dust off the period trappings. The work’s intellectual energy and comic zest are infectious.’ Daily Telegraph

★★★★ ‘Christopher Oram uses his great skill as a designer to melt one vision into another.’ Observer

★★★★ ‘Ralph Fiennes fizzes in Bernard Shaw’s masterpiece.’ Evening Standard