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Ewan McGregor is joined by Elizabeth Debicki, Kate Fleetwood, David Ajala and Mirren Mack in My Master Builder – a new play by American playwright and screenwriter Lila Raicek.
On the eve of July 4th in the Hamptons, Elena Solness, a publishing magnate, is preparing to throw a party to celebrate her architect husband, Henry Solness, as he unveils his latest masterpiece. Their already vulnerable union is shattered by the unexpected arrival of Mathilde, a former student of Henry’s, with whom he previously shared an intimate connection. As the evening unfolds, each find themselves face to face with a reckoning that indelibly tilts the axis of their lives.
Inspired by Ibsen, My Master Builder is a startling new play that lays bare the vulnerabilities we expose, when we leave ourselves open to love.
Content
Please note: This production includes adult themes, flashing lights, blackouts and the smoking of vapes.Special notes
Please note that latecomers will not be admitted until the interval. There is also no readmittance should you need to leave the auditorium during the performance.
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Captioned Performance: 24 May 2025 at 2.30pm , Audio Described Performance: 14 June 2025 at 2.30pmLatest My Master Builder News
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My Master Builder review: The blueprint for a modern classic
Regarded as one of Ibsen's most significant and self-revealing works, The Master Builder follows Halvard Solness, a middle-aged man who runs an architecture practice. Despite the CEO title, and in keeping with the plays, Solness is a builder, not an architect. His lack of qualifications fuels his fear of being usurped, and it’s this paranoia and ultimate imposter syndrome that leads to his downfall.
My Master Builder, inspired by Ibsen's classic, brings the action to the present. Set in the Hamptons on the eve of Independence Day, the new play concerns a promoted Henry Solness (McGregor) – a kind of ‘rock starchitect’ in this version – as he celebrates his latest technical triumph. Fittingly for the 4th of July, plenty of fireworks ensue, as burning desires, charged affairs, and explosive accusations flood the night sky.
Ibsen plays are known for their slow burn, with characters gradually revealing their innermost thoughts over several hours and two intervals (the last West End production of The Master Builder was just shy of 180 minutes). This new production doesn’t smoulder; it erupts – burning brightly and fiercely throughout its 1 hour 40 minute run time. A blazing inferno, the play scorches through repression and artifice, laying bare the emotional wreckage with a breathless urgency.
Judgements and accusations are direct – as bold and violent as brutalist architecture that disfigures a uniformed street. They tear down the very foundations of someone's character as if they were clearing rubble from a construction site. The effect is both horrifying and thrilling. It’s like watching a controlled collapse – precise, devastating, and impossible to look away from. Partners, work rivals, and former lovers never skirt around the truth; they hurl it, unflinching, like grenades. And isn’t that something we’ve all wanted to do? To look someone square in the eye and dismantle the polite façades, brick by brick?
30 Apr, 2025 | By Sian McBride
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Wyndham's Theatre best seats and seating plan
Wyndham's Theatre, a cherished gem in London's West End, opened its doors in 1899. Designed by renowned architect W.G.R. Sprague, who also crafted the nearby Noël Coward Theatre, it was the brainchild of actor-manager Charles Wyndham - who the theatre is named after. The inaugural production was a revival of T.W. Robertson’s play David Garrick, setting the stage for a legacy of high-quality dramas and plays.
Over the years, Wyndham's has hosted numerous notable productions. In the early 20th century, it staged several successful plays by George Bernard Shaw, including You Never Can Tell and Man and Superman. More recently, the theatre has been home to acclaimed performances such as Hamlet starring Jude Law and the world's first stage adaptation of Inside No. 9: Stage/Fright.
What are the best seats at Wyndham's Theatre?
Wyndham's Theatre offers excellent views throughout its auditorium, which is spread across three levels: Stalls, Royal Circle, and Grand Circle. Each section provides a unique experience, catering to different preferences for viewing angles, proximity, and overall immersion in the performance.
For those looking for the best seats in the house, the Stalls provide an intimate and immersive experience, particularly in the middle section of rows C to G. These seats offer a perfect balance between proximity to the stage and a full view of the action without the need to look up too steeply.
The Royal Circle, located above the Stalls, offers an elevated perspective that allows audiences to take in the entire stage while maintaining a close connection to the performance. The best seats in this section are found in the centre of Row A, as they provide a direct, unobstructed view of the stage. Rows B and C also offer excellent sightlines, making them ideal choices for those who prefer a slightly elevated yet still immersive view.
For those who enjoy a more panoramic perspective, the Grand Circle offers excellent views from its central seats in Rows A and B. The elevation provides a full-stage view, making it a great option for appreciating intricate stage design and choreography. Seats towards the sides may have a slightly angled view, but the front and central sections remain highly recommended.
Wyndham's Theatre seating plan
1 Apr, 2025 | By Sian McBride