Troilus and Cressida at Shakespeare’s Globe: 'A study of toxic masculinity'

The Company in ‘Troilus and Cressida’ at Shakespeare’s Globe - (Helen Murray)

Who’d have thought that the must-see autumn Shakespeare in London would be this Trojan War oddity rather than Hamlet at the National Theatre? Labelled a “problem” play because it blends a thwarted romance with discourses on battle, honour, sex and violence during the Greek siege of Troy, Troilus and Cressida often heaves into view in times of international conflict.

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. It features impressive performances from Kasper Hilton-Hille and Charlotte O’Leary in the ostensible lead roles, though they are marginalized by the dick-swinging of generals and warriors, and the scabrous commentary of the malcontent Thersites and the fixer, Pandarus.