It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

In 1770s Paris, revolution is stirring. Sydney Carton is a brilliant yet cynical barrister from England. Charles Darnay is the rebel child of French aristocrats. When they both fall for charming émigré Lucie Manette, a chain of events is set in motion which will endanger everyone. As the Reign of Terror rages on the streets of Paris, for some, love is a lifeline; for others, a sentence to the guillotine.

Adapted by Terence Rattigan (The Winslow Boy, The Deep Blue Sea) and John Gielgud, based on one of the best-selling novels of all time, this epic story of love, sacrifice and redemption asks: is there any price too great to pay for love?

A Tale of Two Cities is a Marlowe Theatre production, directed by Michael Fentiman (Amélie, RSC’s Titus Andronicus, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Loot).

Part of the LCIP 2026 Programme