While Mirren's Phedre is a focal point, significant stage time is given to her scheming nurse Oenone (an impressive Margaret Tyzack) and to Hippolytus and his counsellor Theramene (John Shrapnell).
There are two standout speeches - her mad fantasy about helping Hippolytus find his way out of the Minotaur's labyrinth and later her deranged imaginings about his love for the captive princess Aricia (Ruth Negga).