RSC Next Generation bring Timon of Athens to the stage

Atuh as Timon and the Next Generation Company. Photo by Sara Beaumont © RSC.

Timon of Athens by Thomas Middleton and William Shakespeare, performed by the RSC’s Next Generation at The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon on 20-21 August 2025. Directed by Paul Ainsworth.

Review by Ann Evans

Twenty-one talented young actors brought this lesser-known Shakespearean work to life last night with powerful performances despite their tender years. The RSC Next Generation Act are young people aged between 13 and 18 years, drawn from all across England, recruited through the RSC Associate Schools Programme.

During two residentials the company have worked with theatre professionals, developing skills and rehearsing this morality story by William Shakespeare and Thomas Middleton.

Performing on the ‘round’ stage of The Other Place with the audience and actors in such close proximity there was no room for errors – nor were there any as far as I could tell. Impressively, it felt as if these young actors had spent time getting to know and understand the story and the characters. It wasn’t a case of just reciting the words written by the Bard and fellow playwright Thomas Middleton, the actors had each taken their character to heart and delivered their lines with passion and conviction.

Nagarathna and Kingston as ensemble/musicians. Photo by Sara Beaumont © RSC.

That in itself was quite some feat, as this play certainly isn’t the easiest to follow line by line. Studying the text, you could easily get the impression that Shakespeare and Middleton were vying to see who could make their dialogue the most convoluted.

Having an awful lot to say – and saying it well, was young actor Atuh, who played the lead role of Timon – contrary to the original work, a female philanthropist. Timon is generous to a fault and everybody’s friend while she is giving away gifts and gold and throwing lavish banquets. But when the money runs out, there are very few people who stick by her.

Feeling betrayed as her so-called friends turn their backs on her, Timon invites them to another meal around her table, which they reluctantly attend, embarrassed knowing they had refused to support her financially. However, when she removes the cloth from the fayre, there is nothing to eat except rocks and water.

Atuh as Timon, Bailey as Apemantus and Edward as Poet. Photo by Sara Beaumont © RSC.

Finished with these fair-weather friends, Timon is angry and bitter, and turns this hatred against all of mankind. She retreats to the wilderness and lives in isolation in a cave. By chance she unearths a hidden stash of gold which she gives away to anyone who will assist in the destruction and downfall of Athens. Eventually, she dies alone in the wilderness.

The ending of the play does bring hope however, as Timon’s loyal friend Alcibiades, played by Goodness, reads Timon’s bitter epitaph and leads his troops into Athens, where the senators and the citizens realise that greed isn’t the answer. They demonstrate this by removing the excess golden adornments and rich garments which they had been so proud of.  

Bailey as Apemantus and the Next Generation Company. Photo by Sara Beaumont © RSC.

While the plot is complex, the set is simple – a few large grey blocks that become everything from a banqueting table to a rocky wilderness. Overhead, a metal walkway with a cage containing a symbolic golden tree, provides more depth and drama as the actors deliver their speeches from that high vantage point in some scenes.  

Faultless performances by all the cast which include a number of songs and some well-timed choreography. The explosion of applause and cheering at the end of the play was well deserved. Last night’s performance was also signed, and the text kept pace on a screen.

Discover more from the RSC: https://www.rsc.org.uk/