Beat the Devil, Bridge Theatre

Prolific playwright Sir David Hare has chronicled his own experience coping with the Covid-19 crisis in a monologue that will open as part of a new season of monologues at the Bridge Theatre. In accordance with the latest safety guidelines around live performances, the theatre will reduce capacity to 250 socially distanced seats.

Beat the Devil spans Hare's physical struggle with the virus, along with broader reflections on the government's coping strategy and the playwright's characteristic political scrutiny. Stage and screen star Ralph Fiennes will portray Hare through fever delirium to eventual recovery. Head of the Bridge Theatre Nick Hytner will direct the world premiere.

Beat the Devil will form a season of monologues at the Bridge, including stage versions of the acclaimed TV revival of Alan Bennett's Talking Heads. The show is due to open from 27 August and the Bridge Theatre has pledged that if the season is delayed and cannot go ahead for any reason, all tickets will be automatically be refunded.


Public booking opens from 13 August. Click here for tickets