SO, no room for a surprise twist at the end. The play's title includes the denouement, even though for nine-tenths of it we are watching the seemingly inexorable rise of the right-hand man to Roman Emperor Tiberius.
For those whose Roman history is still heavily influenced by the BBC's magnificent 1976 series I, Claudius, Tiberius was the pervert played by George (Wexford) Baker and Sejanus was Patrick (Star Trek) Stewart.
Claudius fans will also remember the extraordinary levels of intrigue, plotting, murder, mayhem and sexual depravity that seemed to be the hallmark of the ruling Roman society and there is plenty of that here in Ben Jonson's scholarly drama.
Greg Doran's faithful production, using a clever, simplistic historical set and period costume, emphasises the levels of mistrust and the whispering campaigns which could so easily mean an almost instant death for anyone who failed to cheer loudly enough for the Emperor.
In this cesspit of lies, half-truths and self-promotion, Sejanus, like Othellos's Iago, attaches himself limpet-like to his master's authority, plotting both against Tiberius's enemies and against Tiberius himself. William Houston gives another exquisite performance in the title role, his second Roman monster of the season - he also plays Titus Flaminius in Believe What You Will. And for all his grinning pomp, we know that his ambition will bring his downfall, just as it always does in Renaissance drama, because while you're stabbing someone in the back, you're not watching you own. Sejanus runs in repertory until November 5. Call the box office on 0870 609 1110.
Review by STEVE EVANS
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