Jonson thriller is a first for the RSC (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Jonson thriller is a first for the RSC

A TOP political thriller, written in the year of the Gunpowder Plot, is the latest play opening at the RSC.

Sejanus: His Fall by Ben Jonson traces the rise of Emperor Tiberius' right-hand man Sejanus who is ruthlessly working his way to the top, destroying all in his path. No-one can stop him but he is heading for a fall.

The play was first published in 1605 and caused a major controversy of its own.

Ben Jonson, Shakespeare's famous contemporary, was no stranger to controversy and an earlier performance of the play's first version led to him being called up by the Privy Council to answer charges of treason.

"It is not known what was removed before the play was published," said RSC spokeswoman Nada Zakula. "A theory is that the play was too 'popish' as Jonson was a catholic."

The play will be the first time a Ben Jonson tragedy has been staged by the RSC and it is being brought to the stage at The Swan by RSC associate director Gregory Doran.

Doran is leading the Swan's current season called Gunpowder, bringing together interesting plays old and new with links to current affairs or the affairs of Fawkes' time.

Currently running is Thomas More, a play about asylum seekers in London, part written by Shakespeare but banned in his lifetime, A New Way to Please You, about a law forcing older members of society to be put down, and Believe What You Will, about a Middle Eastern leader looking for support as he goes up against the mighty Roman Empire.

Opening in September is Frank McGuinness' new play Speaking Like Magpies which looks at the background to the Gunpowder Plot.

For more information and to book tickets, call the hotline on 0870 6091110 or visit www.rsc.org.uk.