‘In essence the play is about good versus evil, youthful idealism versus oppression and physical youth versus old age. It is also a political thriller with plot turns and twists that keep the audience guessing what the ending will be.'
Michael Grandage

Don Carlos is passionately in love with Elizabeth, the French princess to whom he was once betrothed. Carlos’ tyrannical father, King Philip II of Spain, decides to marry Elizabeth for himself.

The young prince’s hatred for his cold and distant parent knows no bounds. He enlists his oldest friend, Rodrigo, the Marquis of Posa to act as go-between. But Posa decides to convert Carlos and Elizabeth’s youthful passion into a full scale rebellion against King Philip’s oppressive and bloody regime.