About the Play:

The Libertine has long been a favourite of acting teachers for Female Monologues, Male Monologues, and Female/Male Scenes.

The Libertine is a full-length comedic drama by Stephen Jeffreys. The Earl of Rochester delights in ravaging the noble fools of 1660's London with his rapier wit and merciless cynicism. His escapades with wine and women bring him celebrated notoriety, but he is not at all prepared to find truth and beauty in the world in the form of a young and talented actress whose treachery may surpass even his own.

Stephen Jeffreys' darkly humorous and deeply moving masterpiece is a stunning theatrical exploration into the decaying facade of civilised values, a contemporary vision of the rebirth of theatre during the English restoration. Set in the restored court of Charles II in 17th century England, The Libertine follows the exploits of John Wilmot, the Second Earl of Rochester, a charismatic poet and playboy with a legendary appetite for excess. Wilmot is the subject of his own life experiment, immersing himself in the seedy underworld of taverns, brothels and theatres in rebellion to the highly polished world of court and King. His simple relationships are tested however, when he falls for headstrong actress Elizabeth Barry, irrevocably altering his conception of morality. Jeffreys' licentious and critical vision of Charles II's leadership is both a study of disappointment in the wasted potential of sovereignty and leadership, and a very modern comment on the role of playwrights and theatre-makers as social agitators.

The Libertine was first performed in 1994 at the University of Warwick and then moved to the Royal Court Theatre in London and won great popular acclaim. The American premiere was in 1996 by Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago starring John Malkovich in the lead. Stephen Jeffreys adapted the play himself for a 2005 film starring Malkovich and Johnny Depp; the play was revived to great acclaim at Theatre Royal Haymarket in the West End in 2016.

Cast: 5 female, 8 male (doubling or extras possible)

What people say:

"A swaggering, gutsy look at royal decadence." — The Guardian

"Dark yet disarmingly funny." — The Times

"A work that gives its subject the immortality he craved." — The Herald

About the Playwright:

John Stephen Gerrard Jeffreys (1950-2018) was an internationally acclaimed British playwright and playwriting teacher. He is probably best known for his play The Libertine, which he adapted for a 2004 film starring Johnny Depp. He was also a great teacher. During a decade as Literary Associate at the Royal Court Theatre in London, he championed Sarah Kane's era-defining debut play, Blasted, Mojo by Jez Butterworth and The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh. Works by Simon Stephens, Jonathan Harvey, Tanika Gupta, Joe Penhall and many others were also brought to life on his watch.