Edward Albee's The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?
Edward Albee's The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?
Damian Lewis and Sophie Okonedo return to the West End to star in the darkly comic masterpiece, Edward Albee’s The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia?
Martin is at the pinnacle of life: he has a loving wife and son, a hugely successful career as an architect, and the commission of a lifetime, but when he embarks upon an improbable and impossible love affair from which there is no return, familial relationships begin to collapse.
Former Royal Court Artistic Director Ian Rickson directs this late classic that is full of Albee's characteristically sharp wit for a strictly limited season at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 24 March 2017.
★★★★★‘Damian Lewis and Sophie Okonedo excel in Ian Rickson’s superb production’ – The Guardian
★★★★★ ‘Blazing brilliance. Unmissable’ – The Independent
- Duration
Please note there is no interval for this production - the duration of the show is 90 minutes.
- Good To Know
*** Patrons in the Gallery should be aware that seating is on cushioned wooden benches Gallery - please note there are 65 steps up to this level.
Additional Details & FAQ
- Cancellation Policy
No refunds or exchanges after purchase
- How Does It Work
You will receive a confirmation email. Please print this email and bring it with you and present to the Box Office. We recommend you arrive a minimum of 30 minutes before the show.
- Suitable For Children
The play contains adult themes so is therefore not suitable for children under 14 years. Schools age guide 16+
- Where Do I Go
Theatre Royal Haymarket, 18 Suffolk Street, London SW1Y 4HT. By Tube-Piccadilly Circus; Leicester Square or Charing Cross Tube Station
Critic Reviews
The Guardian
Apr 27, 2017
Damian Lewis shines in Albee's bestial classic
The Stage
Apr 27, 2017
"Assured and compelling revival of Albee’s magnificently murky late masterwork"
Reviews
Nigel
Jun 26, 2017
A very unusual experience which is very deep and unusually set within a family. A successful man who experienced a feeling he had never had felt before so he did not see his experience as sex with a Goat and being incorrect. He saw it as a beautiful experience but could not justify it. All the cast were brilliant but the actor who played the son was amazing.
Lisa Steel
Jun 24, 2017
i had low expectations of this from the critical review, but as a great fan of Damian lewis, I trusted. the performance was mesmorising and phenomenal - not just Damien but Sophie, Jason and Archie were outstanding. i cried, laughed and was horrified at all stages in this drama - thank you. we are so privileged in this country to access extraordinary talent - i will be following you all for your next castings!
Lynnette Bock
Jun 24, 2017
It was a very powerful and moving play. And it left you wondering how the family would really get their lives back together again. I found the language rather offensive, but I guess people speak like that when moved so to do.
Sue Tanner
Jun 23, 2017
The acting was excellent throughout which is what makes this production standout. Reading critics reviews beforehand could have meant that I would choose not to see it but I was curious and how could it not be great with such a talented cast?! A sensitive and taboo subject was portrayed with wit, humour and at times sadness. It is one of the best performances I have seen this year. A must see!
Gabrielle
Jun 20, 2017
A brilliantly written play with brilliant actors. A must see.
Rhona
Jun 16, 2017
This was an amazing play - the acting was superb. I absolutely loved it! I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.
K. Perez Sima
Jun 16, 2017
Promising topic and play itself. Humorous parts were entertaining. But the rest was underacted, I felt certain awkwardness around the stage, as if they did not want to take it too far. As if they were too shy about such powerful emotions. A pity.
Rosey
Jun 16, 2017
Really enjoyed matinee. Acting superb and all in all a great afternoon at the theatre
Jill
Jun 16, 2017
We found the play completely captivating. The actors were brilliant and maintained the intensity and humour throughout.
L.S.
Jun 15, 2017
I had recently seen Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf streamed live at my local cinema, loved it . As I was in London a couple of weeks later decided to book Goat, even though I did not like the sound of the content. Decided to buy cheap seats , if we did not like the play, which I feared we wouldn't we would not have wasted money. I was so wrong , the script , the acting , the direction were all superb. We left the theatre breathless.
Margaret N
Jun 10, 2017
We were a party of 4 mature ladies and we all thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Yes there was a lot of bad language and the storyline was a bit weird but this did not detract from the excellent acting by all 4 performers.
P B
Jun 9, 2017
Dark unsettling funny
Lyndley Mccoll
Jun 9, 2017
I had no expectations of this play. Wanted to see something 'live' in London and picked the show mainly because I saw Damien Lewis's face on the ads. The show was brilliant. The premise was absurd and they carried it off. It's hard to imagine a less talented cast could do this.
Kevin
May 29, 2017
While the supporting cast sometimes overacted (direction?), Damian's performance was flawless, which carried the show. And yes, It made me consider what we find acceptable, and unacceptable, in our relationships, and why. Also, the humor provides welcome respite from a challenging topic. I'm very glad I saw it!
Sue
May 28, 2017
I must admit I only went to see it because of Damien Lewis and when I read reviews I was a little disturbed about the content. But all in all it was very well done, the acting was brilliant and very thought provoking
Sharon W
May 27, 2017
A fantastic play with an unexpected ending - couldn't take my eyes off the stage. Damian and Sophie were just amazing in this off the wall production which entailed the scenes being intense and thought provoking- recommended! I loved it!
Janine
May 27, 2017
Shocking, clever, controversial but fab too. Brilliant acting from all 4 Actors.
Dixie Dykman
May 26, 2017
Brilliantly acted, funny, fantastic set. Much better than anticipated. Highly recommend.
Helen
May 26, 2017
Sharp, witty. Best play this year.
RogerG
May 26, 2017
What a strange play. What performances. Loved the play. Loved the performances. Absolutely intoxicating. Not to be missed under any circumstances.
Bronia
May 25, 2017
Superlative performances from Damian Lewis and Sophie Okinedo. The light hearted beginnings gave way to darker and darker dialogue and ended in perfectly understated catastrophic despair.
Karen
May 24, 2017
The play was so good, Damien and Sophie's performance was amazing!
Emma Babb
May 24, 2017
My friend and I went to see this production and we loved it, outstanding acting and excellent story, strange but excellent. The play was funny and emotional but kept you wondering right to the end....
Melita
May 22, 2017
“The Goat” is not for the faint-hearted. Even the superb performances of Damien Lewis and Sophie Okonedo will not distract from the shocking theme – the upheaval to family relationships and friendship when the father/husband reveals his bestial love for a goat. But give it time and let it sink in and it unfolds an allegory for forbidden pleasures, be it bestial love, same sex love, inter-racial love. Perhaps a bit over the top to frame this with a 50-year old successful architect's unashamed love for a goat but nevertheless a darkly humorous exploration of betrayal and boundaries. Albee’s Sylvia follows in a rich tradition of the goat’s association with man. Picasso had his goat “Esmeralda” and Othello his “goat and monkeys”. The play would benefit from a sharper edit and a more intimate staging but nevertheless a strong play which divided the audience – a few left early, others gave it a standing ovation. I think a play to see and a play that will stay in the memory.
Harriet Jervis
May 17, 2017
I knew little about this production before attending last night and what a surprise was in store for me. I not only laughed out loud throughout but was also taken to the deep sadness of the tragic end as well. Exceptional acting. All round an amazing experience. Don't let the title put you off.......'a must see'!
Sarah
May 17, 2017
Amazing - catch it if you can.
COYS54
May 17, 2017
Not being too sure what to expect, we saw the play this week. Acting, particularly by Damian Lewis, top drawer. Some of the diction was shouty from others, and not in the shouty bits! The plot is bizarre and humour very dark indeed. But many laughs to be had. Overall, an unexpectedly enjoyable performance!
Nicki
May 13, 2017
It was a very entertaining evening, and I could empathise with all the characters feelings. I think you can be truly in love with two people but human - it is very thought prevoking. I was not sure wether to laugh or cry. A good evening!
Sue
May 11, 2017
Sat quietly enthralled throughout the continuous performance. There was no interval; it would've spoilt the atmosphere with a break. All actors were superb and Damian never left the stage. An unusually emotional play, beautifully presented. Thoroughly recommend.
Martin Griffin
May 8, 2017
We booked these tickets at the last minute as we were keen to see live theatre whilst in London from Melbourne. Damian Lewis and Sophie Okendo were definite draw cards. It's a pretty intensive experience but a great one and well worth going if you can.
Suparna
May 5, 2017
As many, I wanted to see the play for Damian Lewis. It is an unusual script, though quite powerful and deep. Edward Albee has written a beautiful script that screams for the audience to pay attention, often sit in discomfort ourselves around the provocative topic. It was acted beautifully by all 4 actors.
Baroness Devaris
May 5, 2017
Wonderful acting by all
Christina Bowden (Bowden PR)
May 4, 2017
I didn't quite know what to expect but The Goat certainly didn't disappoint. Superb cast, and staging. Thought provoking storyline which made you laugh, wince and cringe
Jenifer Emery
May 4, 2017
The play is full of wit , if painful at times . Superbly acted by two main actors but well supported by the actors playing the son and friend . Very poignant and a must see .
Shaedi khan
May 3, 2017
The moral of the story was relevant but the play dragged so it loses the impact . Some people found a lot of humour in the play but I found it a bit repetitive
Alison Welsby
May 2, 2017
Obviously very disappointed that Damian was not able to perform. Hopefully he is on the mend and feeling much better. However, the play was excellent, yes shocking in parts, but also very moving and thought provoking. All the cast were magnificent, especially Damian's understudy, whose name I sadly cannot remember. I would definitely recommend going to see it (with an open mind).
Vincent
May 2, 2017
Good performance, nice staff. Cramped seating
Richard Franklin
May 1, 2017
Just to say that I was visiting London for a week and went to The Goat TWICE – on Wednesday evening and again on Saturday matinee. Flawless staging and superb acting. But twice? I must sadly tell you that my dear wife of 58 years together is suffering from dementia and is in a care home. So my reading of this great play is an exploration of love, not of fucking a goat. And this play is helping to understand this profound concept.
Carole
Apr 30, 2017
Well told story of a 'difficult' subject, thoroughly recommended. Cast were all brilliant.
Mark
Apr 30, 2017
Damien Lewis was a no-show. Content creepy.
Jacky C
Apr 30, 2017
I saw the play The Goat.. last night. Unfortunately Damien Lewis was ill but I wasn't dissappointed by the under study's performance. He was fluent and well prepared and gave a good portrayal of the protagonist. The play itself is slightly surreal and deals with some disturbing issues - but in a, sometimes almost farcical way, which throws you off balance. It was interesting. * It was late starting as people didn't leave enough time to pick up prepaid tickets which was annoying. It does state to pick them up an hour before hand (which I did for fear of them being sold on!)
LynnoP
Apr 30, 2017
The cast were amazing, and the son made me cry twice, I really felt his emotion. Definitely recommend all our friends to see it.
cliff
Apr 30, 2017
what can I say funny show enjoyable and I we tell all are friends to go and see it .
Katie Etheridge
Apr 30, 2017
Powerful performance from Sophie Okonedo, very disappointed that Damien Lewis wasn't performing that night due to an indisposition. The understudy start hesitantly but really pulled it off in the end. Great play to discussion afterwards. Loved the seats
Yvonne Barwick
Apr 30, 2017
Before going I knew the male lead fell in love with a goat, but I didn't realise it bestiality. I thought it was just loving the animal as you would a household pet! A shocking, distasteful subject to portray however Damian and Sophie were amazing (as I had expected) and the way the story was told, it was still shocking but in parts amusing. The whole audience was completely silent at the crucial moments - amazing to experience.
Zeynep Ozbil
Apr 29, 2017
Absurd, in a very smart kind of way... hillarious, heart breaking, disturbing with some serious acting! catch while you can...
Alex
Apr 29, 2017
Best show I have seen in years. Damien Lewis and his co starts were all brilliant it was so thoroughly enjoyable that I will come and see it again with my husband this time!
L.P.
Apr 28, 2017
We wondered if the goat was a metaphor for something but no. Wondered if it was saying something about natural urges but no, it didn't go down that track. Then there was the mention of loneliness but it was just one line and it felt shoehorned in. Quite repetitive in regards to dialogue which made it quite dull. Marvellous acting but disappointing overall.
Philip
Apr 28, 2017
Brilliant
Liz
Apr 28, 2017
We had read some very bad reviews from critics and did not have high expectations so we were greatly surprised. The acting was amazing and the play is edgy and very challenging and delivered with enormous humour. Loved it!