One of the more obscure works from William Shakespeare’s canon, Timon of Athens follows the lord Timon on a journey beginning from excessive wealth which soon spirals downwards. It’s a rare opportunity to see one of Shakespeare’s lesser known plays.
The wealthy lord Timon showers his friends with lavish gifts and refuses to accept repayment of his loans. When Timon discovers that his wealth has run out, he turns to the same ‘friends’ for help but none of them will give him a cent in his hour of need. Timon of Athens asks questions of wealth, humanity, reciprocity and what we owe to each other.
Th’ Ungarded Duncan’s production is a speedy one, shrunk down into a one-act 90-minute offering.
Jovanna Hepburn stars in the leading role of Timon, delivering a stellar performance. It’s a challenging role but she provides a steady centre for the story.
Hepburn is well-supported by a host of equally great performances from the rest of the ensemble cast, many of whom perform multiple roles. Tony Rice (Painter) and Scott Jackson (Poet) are very amusing as two of Timon’s parasitic admirers.
Tegan Harrod (Servilius), Ashlynn Parigi (Flaminius) and Henry Vo (Lucillius), servants of Timon, are standouts. Servants of Shakespearean works are often not given much, and the trio draw a lot out of very little. In a show that could easily lean on the flashy moments, such as Timon’s extravagant displays of wealth early in the play, it’s wonderful to see this productive give such attention to the smaller moments as well and demonstrates a strong understanding of the story.
Directors Kevin Hopkins and Claire Nicholls also do well with the modernisations of the story: Timon retreats to a dumpster instead of a cave and philosopher Apemantus lurks with a DSLR camera always in hand. They also appropriately highlight the banquets of the story, a recurring feature of Shakespeare’s work. Much of the scenic design revolves around three tables which are used both individually and joined together as a long banquet table. Kevin Hopkins’ lighting design is creatively executed and well suits the action.
When it comes to the story, it is clear to see why Timon of Athens often carries the label of one of Shakespeare’s ‘problem plays,’ reserved for those complex and ambiguous in tone as opposed to fitting neatly into a genre. It’s speculated to be unfinished as well as co-authored by Thomas Middleton. Timon of Athens doesn’t feel like a tragedy or a comedy or a tragicomedy, despite containing elements of both. Perhaps closer to tragedy, it lacks the depth of a successful one and skims the surface of its chosen issues too much.
Rating: Recommend
Play: Timon of Athens
Writer: William Shakespeare and Thomas Middleton
Theatre: Th’ Unguarded Duncan
Director: Kevin Hopkins and Claire Nicholls
Starring: Jovanna Hepburn (Timon of Athens), Tony Rive (Painter/Lucullus), Seon Williams (Senator 2/Sempronius), Henry Vo (Lucillius), James Cerche (Apemantus), Scott Jackson (Poet/Lucius), Helen Hopkins (Flavius), Anthea Davies (Senator 1/Ventidius), Ashlynn Parigi (Flaminius), Nick Crawford Smith (Alcibiades) and Tegan Harrod (Servilius)
Dates and venue: Theatre Works until 7 November 2026