Jodie Whittaker Stars in The Duchess Revival

Jodie Whittaker returns to the London stage in Zinnie Harris's modern adaptation of John Webster's 'The Duchess of Malfi' at the Trafalgar Theatre, marking her first theatrical performance in over a decade. The production features Whittaker as a confident and defiant Duchess, who openly challenges her controlling brothers, played by Paul Ready and Rory Fleck Byrne, though critics have noted that the male characters often come off as comedic rather than menacing. While Harris aims to highlight the themes of misogyny and female autonomy, many reviews criticize the adaptation for lacking depth and failing to convincingly transpose the characters' motivations to a contemporary setting. Whittaker's performance has been praised for its layered emotional range, bringing both strength and vulnerability to the role. However, the production's reliance on overt modern references and a lack of subtlety has drawn mixed responses, with some critics suggesting it detracts from the original play's complexity. Despite the critiques, Whittaker's star power continues to draw audiences to the production, which runs until December 21, 2023.