Englishman John Webster was a Jacobean writer and playwright who excelled in scripting tragedies, in fact not unlike a certain William Shakespeare. His early collaborations with the likes of Thomas Dekker include 'Westward Ho' and 'Christmas Comes But Once a Year', but it's his own works that usually garner attention and, for their time, controversy. Both 'The White Devil' and 'The Duchess of Malfi' are as darkly macabre as you could care to get and, bearing in mind these were written at the turn of the 16th-century, display Webster's skill with descriptive dialogue and suggested violence.

The Old Vic Theatre in London is the latest London theatre to present 'The Duchess of Malfi', joining a long line that has included The Globe, Blackfriars and, most recently, the Greenwich Theatre, as well as across the pond. Rather than graceful flowery passages of love and sunlight, this play contains adult themes from the very darkest side of human nature. Our heroine, the Duchess, played by Eve Best, is a strong-willed and passionate woman who sees her house steward as the perfect romantic foil. Unfortunately, the rest of her immediate family and acquaintances think otherwise and plot to kill her. Murder, incest, shocks and more murder abounds, along with tension and atmosphere.

Widely-recognized as Webster's finest work, 'The Duchess of Malfi' is running until 9th June and for those of you keen to see this dark tragic-comedy, we have discounted seats for all performances in April!!

The Special Offer is: book tickets to see 'The Duchess of Malfi' at The Old Vic between now and Monday 30th April 2012 and get up to 54% off the standard price! Stalls normally costing £49.50 now retail for £36, while Circle seats normally costing £27.50 will now sell for just £12.50!! The offer applies to both matinee and evening performances and is very limited - so book now!

Please note: Contains scenes of a sexual nature and violence.