Problem play is still a problem

Shakespeare’s Globe

A rare production of Shakespeare’s romantic story set within a satirical look at the Trojan War. Many of the critics’ reminded us this is a ‘problem play’, incoherent in tone, and neither comedy nor tragedy. Some thought Owen Horsley’s comic interpretation skewing toxic masculinity was inspired, others found it inappropriate. The reviews were a good example of the way critics can help our understanding of a play. Many displayed their knowledge of this obscure play and provided analyses of why it is a ‘problem’ and the extent to which this interpretation did or did not succeed in solving it.

[Links to full reviews are included but a number are behind paywalls and therefore may not be accessible]

4 stars ★★★★

The Standard’s Nick Curtis declared: ‘Owen Horsley’s bracingly ribald, mordant staging is a study of toxic masculinity in which war is treated as a game, or a reality show, that suddenly stops being funny.’ He pointed out: ‘Horsley’s greatest stroke is to gender-swap (some of the roles). Samantha Spiro – a mistress of grotesque comedy – exudes bawdy relish as “auntie” Pandarus, tottering on her heels and twittering filth. Meanwhile, the dazzling Lucy McCormick folds the role of prologue into that of her goth-girl Thersites…who generates an easy, sardonic rapport with the audience.’
The evening is, he said, ‘a vivid, kaleidoscopic exploration of human foibles’.

Rachel Halliburton for The Times came down in favour of the interpretation: ‘for my money this bawdy, ballsy interpretation…arrestingly captures the play’s spirit.’ She explained: ‘Horsley captures the cynical disillusion in a script that punctures heroic myth to convey a nihilistic wasteland of war.’ Against this backdrop, the two lovers pursue their romance: ‘Kasper Hilton-Hille presents a nuanced, sensitive Troilus, alert to his world’s pain and absurdity. There’s real warmth in his connection with Charlotte O’Leary’s cheerful no-nonsense Cressida, a sense that amid the turbulence here is something worth living for.’

Debbie Gilpin at BroadwayWorld liked the comedic treatment but didn’t think it was a total success. She was swayed by the actors: ‘An almost omnipresent Lucy McCormick is the key to the tone and entertainment value of the production. As Thersites, she is part of the Greek camp but also acts as a de facto Chorus’.

Time Out’s Andrzej Lukowski warned: ‘May the gods help you if this is your first Shakespeare play, or you’re unfamiliar with the basic plot outline of the Iliad. But…Horsley’s production is rewarding, an engaging mix of jet-black cynicism and unfettered silliness.’

3 stars ★★★

Matt Wolf for LondonTheatre also wondered: ‘Quite what audiences new to the play will take away from this production by Owen Horsley, here making his Globe debut, is anyone’s guess. You have to admire both the vigour and rigour of an exceptionally committed cast…Horsley’s judicious cuts to the text keep proceedings from resembling a fusty history lesson, but this play’s singular dark, depraved centre never quite lands.’

The Guardian’s Arifa Akbar pointed out it was a difficult play to mount but seemed happy with the director’s response to it: ‘this is satire – if not war-farce – in which the “heroes” of classical antiquity are roundly ridiculous.’ She concluded: ‘It is a heroic attempt at comedy all round.’

Helen O’Mahony for The Stage found the production ‘straddles light and dark, leaning into the play’s lack of clear emotional direction or resolution, to varying effect.’ While finding elements enjoyable, she wasn’t happy overall: ‘it’s a production that never wants you to get too invested in the story’s pretence, and this can be jarring.’

Julia Rank at WhatsOnStage damned with faint praise: ‘it’s probably about as accessible as this deliberately un-crowdpleasing play ever will be.’

2 stars ★★

Fiona Mountford, writing for the Telegraph, made clear she loves the play and didn’t take kindly to the interpretation: ‘the magnificence of the work is lost in an ill-advised attempt to jolly things along by introducing moments of comedy.’

Critics’ average rating 3.3★

You can see Troilus And Cressida at Shakespeare’s Globe, London until 26 October 2025. Buy tickets directly from the theatre 

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