This cunning courtier could tackle Brexit

Don Carlos (Nuffield Theatre, Southampton and touring) Verdict: Hard work with rich rewards ★★★★✩

FRIEDRICH SCHILLER’S 18th-century German masterpiece — written at the time of the French Revolution, but set during the Spanish Inquisition — could never be called light entertainment. But this new production, with a cracking performance by Tom Burke, is worth the effort.

Burke (The Musketeers, War & Peace) plays the politically astute, idealistic courtier Rodrigo who tries to steer an angst-ridden Philip of Spain away from despotism and towards enlightenment.

What follows is a complex exploration of statecraft and Realpolitik lasting more than three hours. Even so, I was fascinated by Israeli director Gadi Roll’s austere production that focuses forensically on the conflict between individual human dignity and the implacable demands of political necessity.

Also taking no prisoners is Rosanna Vize’s bare, black set (with all-black costumes) which deploys only mobile lights with an occasional red carpet for a slash of colour.

It’s Burke’s considerable job to mollify and govern Darrell D’Silva’s King — a wild animal dominating his factious court with a Vesuvian temper. Burke’s performance keeps faith brilliantly with Schiller’s sinuous, thoughtful language. Where lesser actors might have sought to colour the role with histrionics, Burke is measured and emphatic, relying on his terrific stage presence.

As Don Carlos, Samuel Valentine cuts a lost, boyish figure, battered by forces beyond his control. He put me in mind of a young Oliver Reed in his pomp. Kelly Gough, as the hapless Queen, tears into her lines like raw meat; and Alexandra Dowling throws herself on the part of saucy Princess Eboli, crushed under the wheels of power.

You’ll need to be wide awake to follow all the arguments, but if you can manage that, this is richly rewarding fare.