A standout from the 1970 season was the world premiere of Vivat! Vivat Regina! by Robert Bolt, who had already achieved success with his play and film A Man for all Seasons.

A tour-de-force of staging, performance and design, Vivat! Vivat Regina! follows the epic battle of personalities between Elizabeth I (Eileen Atkins) and Mary Queen of Scots (played by Sarah Miles, Bolt's wife). The production resounding success with critics dubbing it "triumphant" and "a masterpiece", noting that "two extraordinary performances [...] gave it an irreplaceable momentum". The production transferred to London's Piccadilly Theatre and then to Broadway.