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Blanchett and Hoss Shine in National Theatre’s Electra/Persona as Critics Question the Merge

The world‑premiere fuses SophoclesElectra with Bergman’s Persona to test theatrical form.

Overview

  • The National Theatre opened Benedict AndrewsElectra/Persona in early September as a world‑premiere on the Lyttelton stage and it will run through October 10.
  • Cate Blanchett and Nina Hoss share the two paired roles across the run, with an onstage coin toss deciding which actor plays which part each night.
  • Reviewers across outlets uniformly praise Blanchett and Hoss for demanding, finely detailed performances that many called the evening’s strongest asset.
  • Many critics found the hybrid structure uneven, saying the Electra material lands more powerfully while the Persona section feels elusive or overextended.
  • The production’s stepped set, handheld camera close‑ups and onstage screen have shaped reactions and helped make the show a high‑demand London title led by a standout creative team including Hildur Guðnadóttir and Magda Willi.