In Schiller’s plays women of flesh and blood are behind the masks of political power; women fascinated by each other but also caught in a web of mutual rivalry and jealousy. The puritanical Elizabeth recognizes the same loneliness in the gorgeous and sophisticated Mary who manipulates the men in her life. So Maria Stuart is not only a historical drama about power, ambition and responsibility, but also an intimate portrait of two women imprisoned in the straightjacket of their political role. Chris Nietvelt plays Elisabeth, Halina Reijn plays Mary Stuart.

“As this is the first coproduction with Toneelhuis, it seems to me the right time to do a text by Schiller that deals with our time, with powerful women who rule the world and come into conflict with themselves and their place in history”, said Ivo van Hove. “The play is about women in power. Elizabeth I and Mary Stuart are powerful women who are confronted by the extreme consequences of their power: the decision about life and death in the interest of the state.” - Ivo van Hove