Set in eighteenth-century Spain, the play tells the true story of Farinelli, once the world’s most famous castrato and one of the greatest celebrities of his time, and his decision to trade fame and fortune in the opera-houses of Europe for a life of servitude at the court of King Philippe V of Spain (played by Rylance).



The play features many of the exquisite arias first sung by Farinelli in the 1730’s.



According to press materials, the Duke of York’s Theatre will be transformed for this production, lit almost exclusively by the glow of candle-light (as it is at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse) and with live music played on Baroque instruments.



Rylance last appeared at the Globe in 2012 in Twelfth Night and Richard III, both of which subsequently transferred to the West End's Apollo and then Broadway's Belasco, winning a Tony for Featured Actor in a Play for the former. He also won Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Play for Boeing-Boeing and Jerusalem. He is currently starring in the BBCTV version of "Wolf Hall," in which he plays Thomas Cromwell.

van Kampen, founding Director of Music at Shakespeare’s Globe where she has created music for more than 45 productions, is a theatre specialist on music and text of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. 
 It is being produced in the West End by Shakespeare's Globe and Sonia Friedman Productions.


 Further details are still to be announced. To register to receive further information on the production including on sale notification visit www.Farinellitheplay.com