The Massive Tragedy Of Madame Bovary

Escape to the hilariously tragic world of Madame Bovary this Christmas — where love, mischief, and mishaps collide in a wild night of Victorian rebellion!

Four actors must battle hilarious mishaps and misbehaving props to tell the (massively) tragic story of Madame Bovary.

Emma Bovary dreamed of love and adventure, but instead, she got… Charles. Determined not to let a dull marriage stand in her way, she throws herself into a whirlwind of forbidden desires, extravagant parties, and a string of questionable decisions. From sultry carriage rides to secret rendezvous, her misadventures are a perfect mix of comedy and calamity. Expect fast-paced humour, lightning-quick costume changes, and a story as touching as it is laugh-out-loud funny.

Laugh and cry in equal measure as Emma chooses the wrong husband! Lose yourself in romantic love scenes featuring devastatingly handsome men. There will be rats, visual absurdity, wild animals and a nun…

Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary was originally published in 1856, prosecuted for obscenity and hailed as the greatest novel ever written.

Join the festive fun as Flaubert’s complex novel is given a refreshing shake up in this irreverent, irrepressible and irresistible play this Christmas.

★★★★★ “A tremendously fun and clever romp” Everything Theatre★★★★★ “Punchy, memorable and creatively genius” West End Best Friend★★★★★ “an inventive twist on the Flaubert classic” Mind The Blog★★★★ “An uproarious jaunt” First Night Magazine★★★★ “A gleefully silly watch” Theatre and Tonic★★★★ “Totally bonkers, but fantastic fun” LondonTheatre1

Important Information

This production contains swearing, mature themes around suicide, as well as birthing

Age Restrictions

Ages 12+.

Performance Times

Now taking bookings for performances up until Sat 11th January 2025.

Show times for each day are below.

Southwark Playhouse Borough Details

Facilities at Southwark Playhouse Borough

Southwark Playhouse Borough Location

Please note: The location shown on the map is an approximate location of the theatre. In the majority of cases the theatre will be marked on the map so please make sure you locate the exact location yourself. If the theatre is not shown on the map please make sure you locate the correct road name and take account of the directions.