Welcome to Thebes *** TNT

Moira Buffini re-imagines the Thebes of Greek mythology as a contemporary Liberia-like state, turning Eurydice, the usually silent wife of Creon, into his widow and putting her centre stage as elected president of a new democracy made bankrupt by civil war.

After an intermittently slow first half, this skilful reworking springs back to life when the promise of aid from David Harewood’s imposing, Obama-like Theseus, first citizen of superpower Athens, is threatened both by the refusal of Nikki Amuka-Bird’s Eurydice to be treated as anything but an equal and by the scheming opposition.

Confidently directed by Richard Eyre, this is a big, brave, ambitious production, combining a playful attitude to the source material with unflinching honesty about the devastation of war and the eternally tricksy nature of political manoeuvring.

Olivier at the National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX (020 7452 3000) Waterloo tube nationaltheatre.org.uk
Currently in rep until 19th August but has been extended – dates not yet available £10 - £30 as part of the Travelex season