After being absent from the theater stage for 6 years now, Lady Helen Mirren  makes a return as the unfaithful wife Phaedra in the ancient Greek tragedy of the same name. The 2007 Oscar winner for her performance as Elizabeth II in “The Queen,” directed by Stephen Frears, is going to be casted in the 17^th century staging, adapted by Jean Racine. The play will be on the London stage for three months and will be personally directed by the theater manager Nicholas Heitner. The “Independent” announces that lady Mirren and Heitner have been negotiating for months.

The 63- year old actress with royal presence and un-aging beauty will play the part of the Athenian king Theseus' wife, who has passionate feelings towards her stepson Hippolytus. The tragedy of the unfaithful Phaedra has been tempting for a lot of famous actresses, to name a few, Glenda Jackson, Lady Diana Rigg, and Clare Higgins.

It is of interest that this is the second Greek tragedy that the London National Theater places this season. Grreporter.info has already informed you of the great success that Ralph Fiennes harvested as Oedipus in Sophocles’ play of the same name.