RSC 50th Birthday Season April – November 2011 announced
January 31, 2011
- Jonathan Slinger and Aislín McGuckin return to play Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Michael Boyd’s production
- Patrick Stewart is Shylock in Rupert Goold’s The Merchant of Venice
- Nancy Meckler returns to direct A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- Anthony Neilson to direct Marat/Sade
- Gregory Doran casts 25 year old newcomer Olly Rix as Cardenio
- Sara Crowe to play Lady Frugal in The City Madam
- David Greig’s Dunsinane reaches Swan Theatre
- Major revival of Pinter’s The Homecoming
2011 is a significant year in the history of the Royal Shakespeare Company. It celebrates its 50th Birthday with a season of nine plays in the newly transformed Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Artistic Director Michael Boyd said: ‘It’s fifty years since Peter Hall founded the Royal Shakespeare Company: fifty years that have seen the Company play a vital role at the beating heart of British theatre, working with, learning from and training a who’s who of playwrights, actors, directors and theatre practitioners. Now we re-open with a season that celebrates this rich heritage and signals our intent for the decades to come.’
‘Two companies of actors will play across both the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Swan Theatre, presenting a repertoire of work by Shakespeare and his contemporaries, new work and revivals of some of our greatest hits.’
Rehearsals for Macbeth, Cardenio, The City Madam and The Merchant of Venice began last week.
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Macbeth
By William Shakespeare
16 April – 6 October 2011
Press Night: Tuesday 26 April at 7pm
Michael Boyd directs the first new production to open in the newly transformed Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and Jonathan Slinger takes the title role.
Boyd said of Jonathan Slinger: ‘Jonathan is without doubt one of the finest actors of his generation, and has more than proved himself in the role of disturbed Shakespearean Kings.’
Jonathan was part of the ensemble in Michael’s award-winning Histories cycle, which began in 2006 in The Courtyard Theatre during the Complete Works Festival and went on to play to sell-out houses at the Roundhouse in London. His roles included Richard II and Richard III. Other roles for the RSC include Puck in Greg Doran’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, David Greig’s The American Pilot in The Other Place and Dromio of Syracuse in Nancy Meckler’s The Comedy of Errors (all in 2005). He recently played Richard in Dennis Kelly’s The Gods Weep at the Hampstead Theatre.
Other stage work includes Bernard in Yes, Prime Minister at the Chichester Festival Theatre and the West End and Astrov in Uncle Vanya at the Young Vic. His television credits include: The Adventures of Daniel (BBC), Vexed, Paradox, Krod Mondoon and Hustle. His films include The Veil of Maya (2010) and The Knight’s Tale (2000).
Also making a welcome return to the RSC is Aislín McGuckin as Lady Macbeth. In 2005/6 she played Olivia in Michael Boyd’s production of Twelfth Night, and in 2000 played Countess d’Auvergne and Margery Jourdain in his productions of Henry VI, Part 1 and Part II and Lady Anne in Richard III.
Her other theatre credits include: The Clearing (Shared Experience), and Emma in Our Father at the Almeida Theatre. Films include: Maria in The White Countess and Aislin in The Nephew. Her television work includes: Doctor Liz Merrick in Heartbeat and Emily in David Copperfield.
The cast also includes: Madeline Appiah (Gentlewoman) Jamie Beamish (Porter), Howard Charles (Malcolm), Scott Handy (Ross), Aidan Kelly (Macduff), Caroline Martin (Lady Macduff), Des McAleer (Duncan), Nikesh Patel (Donalbain), Daniel Percival (First Murderer), Daniel Rose (Second Murderer), Steve Toussaint (Banquo), Christopher Wright (Doctor).
Designs are by RSC Associate, Tom Piper, lighting by Jean Kalman, music by Craig Armstrong, sound by Andrew Franks, movement by Struan Leslie and fights by Terry King.
The Merchant of Venice
By William Shakespeare
13 May – 26 September 2011
Press night: Thursday 19 May at 7pm
Following his critically acclaimed production of Romeo and Juliet, RSC Associate Director Rupert Goold directs one of Shakespeare’s most controversial plays, The Merchant of Venice.
Patrick Stewart returns to the RSC to play Shylock. He last performed for the company in 2008 in Hamlet – in Stratford, London and on film playing Claudius and the Ghost opposite David Tennant in the title role. He previously worked with Goold for the RSC in 2006 during the Complete Works Festival playing Prospero in The Tempest. In that same season, Patrick played Antony in Antony and Cleopatra opposite Harriet Walter. Rupert recently directed Patrick as Macbeth – in the UK, New York and on film.
Stewart is probably best known for his television and film roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film series as well as the voice of William Shakespeare in the upcoming Disney animation Gnomeo And Juliet. In 2010 he received a knighthood in the New Year Honours list for his services to Drama.
Playing Portia is Susannah Fielding. Her recent stage work includes: An Enemy of the People at The Crucible in Sheffield, The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other, Hero in Much Ado about Nothing, Philistines and Rosa Delle Rose in The Rose Tattoo – all for the National Theatre. In 2006 she played Trinculo in the Guildhall School/RSC production of The Tempest. Her screen roles include playing the lead in the film, Kill Keith and on TV, Chloe in Pete Versus Life, Doctor Who and Wallander.
The cast also includes: Madeline Appiah, Jamie Beamish (Launcelot Gobbo), Howard Charles (Gratiano), Scott Handy (Antonio), Aidan Kelly, Caroline Martin (Jessica), Des McAleer (Duke of Venice/Old Gobbo), Jason Morell (Arragon), David Ononokpono (Morocco), Nikesh Patel (Balthasar), Daniel Percival (Lorenzo), Emily Plumtree (Nerissa), Richard Riddell (Bassanio), Daniel Rose, Steve Toussaint, Christopher Wright (Tubal)
Designs are by Tom Scutt, lighting by Rick Fisher, music by Adam Cork, sound by Gregory Clarke, choreography by Scott Ambler and music associate and orchestrations by Alex Baranowski.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
By William Shakespeare
29 July – 5 November 2011
Press Night: Thursday 4 August at 7pm
Nancy Meckler returns to the RSC to direct A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Her previous productions for the RSC include The Comedy of Errors in the RST in 2005 and House of Desires (part of the Spanish Golden Age Season) in the Swan in 2004.
She said: ‘Having created work for the Swan and the former RST, I am thrilled to be returning to the RSC for the first season on the new stage with a new production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’
Pippa Nixon returns to the RSC to play Titania, the Queen of the Fairies and Hippolyta. Her previous work for the company includes Roy Williams’ Days of Significance in 2006 and in 2010, a version of Henry V in New York. Her other theatre credits include: the title role in Bea at Soho Theatre, Mad Forrest at the Battersea Arts Centre, Round 1, The Factory at Hampstead Theatre and a season at The Globe, when her roles included Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Jessica in The Merchant of Venice. Her television work includes Law and Order UK, and Wannabes.
Jo Stone-Fewings plays Oberon, the King of the Fairies and Theseus. His most recent work for the RSC includes Orsino in Twelfth Night in Stratford and the West End in 2009-10, and the Bastard in King John in 2002. Other theatre includes Dancing at Lughnasa at the Old Vic, Richard Hannay in The Thirty Nine Steps at the Criterion and Angels in America for Headlong Theatre at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. Amongst his TV credits are: Misfits, New Tricks and Doctor Who.
Playing the young lovers are: Lucy Briggs-Owen as Helena, Alex Hassell as Demetrius, Matti Houghton as Hermia and Nathaniel Martello-White (Lysander).
The cast also includes: Maya Barcot (Fairy), Christopher Chilton (Fairy), Kammy Darweish (Egeus), Christopher Godwin (Quince), Michael Grady-Hall (Flute), Felix Hayes (Snug), Chiké Okonkwo (Snout) and Timothy Speyer (Starveling).
Joining Nancy on the creative team are designer Katrina Lindsay and lighting designer, Wolfgang Gobbel.
Marat/Sade
The persecution and assassination of Marat as performed by the inmates of the asylum of Charenton under the director of the Marquis de Sade
By Peter Weiss
English adaptation by Geoffrey Skelton
Verse adaptation by Adrian Mitchell
14 October – 5 November 2011
Press Night: Thursday 20 October at 7pm
RSC Literary Associate Anthony Neilson directs this new production of Marat/Sade in the 50th Birthday year. His previous directing work for the RSC includes God in Ruins (his own play) at the Soho Theatre in 2007 and The Drunks in 2009. He recently wrote and directed Get Santa for the Royal Court Theatre.
Neilson said: ‘I look forward to working with the new ensemble on the forthcoming revival of Marat/Sade a production which will, I hope, cast a fresh and contemporary light on Peter Weiss’ seminal play, both formally and contextually; and restore to it at least some of the forceful impact of Peter Brook’s and Adrian Mitchell’s legendary RSC production.’
The RSC’s 1964 production of Peter Weiss’ play, directed by Peter Brook, to this day, remains one of the company’s most important and acclaimed productions. Adrian Mitchell’s verse adaptation combined with Geoffrey Skelton’s English version seeks to present an unflinching and very human commentary on society and revolution.
The play is set in post revolutionary France. The inmates of an asylum present a play about the murder of Jean-Paul Marat under the direction of the notorious Marquis de Sade. As the director of the asylum and his family sit down expecting to see a patriotic display, they are confronted with a performance that is unruly, shocking and outspoken.
Movement is by Anna Morrissey and lighting by Chahine Yavroyan.
Swan Theatre
Cardenio
Shakespeare’s ‘Lost Play’ re-imagined
14 April – 6 October 2011
Press Night: Wednesday 27 April at 7pm
After extensive auditions, a newcomer has landed the part of Cardenio which will celebrate the re-opening of the Swan Theatre. RSC Chief Associate Director, Gregory Doran said: ‘Olly Rix, a 25 year old graduate from Oxford University and LAMDA can’t quite believe he’s landed this major new role. But I believe he will bring something quite exceptional to the role. He’s a very exciting new talent.’
In 1727, Lewis Theobold presented The Double Falsehood at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He claimed it was an adaptation of a lost play by Shakespeare, based on the story of Cardenio in Cervantes’ Don Quixote. Such a play by Shakespeare and John Fletcher was indeed performed at court in 1612.
Gregory Doran has completed a piece of literary archaeology and attempts to reconstruct the extraordinary story of Cardenio, the subject of Fletcher and Shakespeare’s lost play.
The cast also includes: Maya Barcot (Nun), Lucy Briggs-Owen (Luscinda), Christopher Chilton (Priest), Liz Crowther (Duenna), Nicholas Day (Don Bernardo), Christopher Ettridge (Duke), Christopher Godwin (Don Camillo), Michael Grady-Hall (Shepherd), Alex Hassell (Fernando), Felix Hayes (Shepherd), Matti Houghton (Maid), Simeon Moore (Pedro), Harry Myers (Citizen), Pippa Nixon (Dorotea), Chiké Okonkwo (Gerardo) and Timothy Speyer (Master Shepherd).
Joining Gregory Doran on the creative team are: Niki Turner (designer), Tim Mitchell (lighting), Paul Englishby (music), Martin Slavin (sound), Michael Ashcroft (movement) and Terry King (fights).
The City Madam
By Philip Massinger
5 May – 4 October 2011
Press Night: Wednesday 11 May at 7pm
Dominic Hill, Artistic Director of the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh joins the RSC for the first time to direct Massinger’s raucous satire on greed and misplaced pride.
In this biting comedy, wealthy merchant John Frugal takes pity on his penniless and dissolute brother Luke Frugal (played by Jo Stone-Fewings) and invites him to live under his roof together with his own haughty wife and two foolishly conceited daughters.
As Luke plots to steal from his brother and his daughters arrogantly spurn worthy suitors, John plans to teach them all a lesson.
Christopher Godwin makes a welcome return to the RSC to play Sir John Frugal. His many roles for the company include: Gregory Doran’s The Canterbury Tales in the Swan and on tour as well as his productions of The Taming of the Shrew and The Tamer Tamed in 2003 and in 1995 The Devil is an Ass and The Relapse. His recent television credits include: My Family, Forgotten Army and Lead Balloon.
Sara Crowe plays Lady Frugal. Sara has extensive credits on stage, television and film, and is probably best known for her comedy roles. Sara is currently appearing in Rattigan’s Less than Kind at the Jermyn Street Theatre. Her other theatre credits include: an RSC tour of A Woman of No Importance, Olivia in Peter Hall’s Twelfth Night and in she appeared in his West End production of Bedroom Farce. Sara played Ruth in Calendar Girls, Babs in a UK tour of Acorn Antiques and Camilla Parker Bowles in A Right Royal Farce at the King’s Head in Islington. On film she played Laura in Mike Newell’s film Four Weddings and a Funeral and Carry on Columbus and her many television appearances include: Skins, The Rory Bremner Show, The Harry Enfield Show and Doctors.
The cast also includes: Lucy Briggs-Owen (Anne), Christopher Chilton (Dingem), Liz Crowther (Millicent/Secret), Kammy Darweish (Old Tradewell/Fortune), Nicholas Day (Lord Lacy), Christopher Ettridge (Holdfast), Michael Grady-Hall (Scuffle), Alex Hassell (Maurice), Felix Hayes (Mr Plenty), Matti Houghton (Mary), Nathaniel Martello-White (Goldwire), Andrew Melville (Hoist/Old Goldwire), Simeon Moore (Stargaze), Harry Myers (Getall/Serjeant), Pippa Nixon (Shavem), Chiké Okonkwo (Tradewell), Olly Rix and Timothy Speyer (Penury).
RSC Associate Tom Piper is designing the costumes, lighting is by Tim Mitchell, music and sound by Dan Jones, movement by Struan Leslie and fights by Renny Krupinski.
The National Theatre of Scotland presents the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production in association with the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
Dunsinane
By David Greig
15 June – 2 July 2011
Press night: Thursday 16 June at 7pm
RSC Associate Director Roxana Silbert revives her acclaimed production of Dunsinane which premiered at Hampstead Theatre in 2010.
Roxana said: ‘I’m thrilled to be bringing David Greig’s Dunsinane to the Swan. It was actually written for the space, so it’s like bringing it home. Wonderful, too, that it will be seen after Michael Boyd’s Macbeth on the new RST stage providing a gratifying sequel for those who wondered what happened after….’
David Greig added: ‘Dunsinane emerged for me around five years ago when there seemed to be several productions of Macbeth being performed. Macbeth is about the toppling of a king. But I found I was interested in what happened after that king was overthrown. How does an army restore a kingdom to peace? I also had a cheeky desire to respond to the fact that the most famous Scottish play was written by the most famous English writer. I wanted to look at the story from a Scottish point of view. And who could resist the chance to revisit Lady Macbeth, one of the greatest characters in all drama?’
Casting includes: Brian Ferguson (Malcolm), Lisa Hogg (Attendant), Joshua Jenkins (Soldier/Lord), Alex Mann (Egham), Mairi Morrison (Attendant) and Jonny Phillips (Siward) and Siobhan Redmond (Gruach).
Siobhan Redmond’s previous roles for the RSC include The Comedy of Errors, Twelfth Night, The Spanish Tragedy and Much Ado about Nothing. Her television work includes: The Catherine Tate Show, Eastenders, New Tricks, Sea of Souls, The High Life and Holby City.
Joining Roxana on the creative team is Robert Innes Hopkins (designer), Chahine Yavroyan (lighting), Nick Powell (music and sound), Anna Morrissey (movement) and Terry King (fights).
Dunsinane will receive its Scottish premiere at The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh on Friday 13 May followed by dates at Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre in June 201. A version adapted for radio was broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on 30 January at 8pm.
The Homecoming
By Harold Pinter
28 July – 15 October 2011
Press Night: Wednesday 3 August at 7pm
Premiered by the RSC in 1965, The Homecoming is considered by many to be Pinter’s masterpiece. It is directed by David Farr, and is being revived as part of the RSC’s 50th Birthday celebrations.
David Farr, RSC Associate Director said:’I directed the 50th anniversary production of The Birthday Party at The Lyric shortly before Harold died. He was very much involved, displaying that characteristic passion for the simple act of making theatre. To direct one of the first productions after his death is a great honour. To direct The Homecoming, which I think is possibly his greatest achievement is a genuine thrill. It will be strange doing it without him.’
The cast includes: Des McAleer (Sam), Aislín McGuckin (Ruth), Richard Riddell (Joey), Jonathan Slinger (Lenny) and
Further casting to be announced.
The designer is John Bausor and lighting is by Jon Clark.
Young People’s Shakespeare:
The Taming of the Shrew
By William Shakespeare
Edited by Tim Crouch
In schools from 19 September
Press Performance in a school: 29 September (venue and time to be announced)
In the Swan from 24 September – 15 October 2011
Following its highly successful Young People’s Shakespeare productions of The Comedy of Errors and Hamlet the RSC continues its work with and for young people with a new production of The Taming of the Shrew edited and directed by Tim Crouch.
Tim Crouch, director, writer and performer said: ‘The Taming of the Shrew always felt like a natural choice for the RSC’s Young People’s Shakespeare. Its themes of sibling rivalry, bullying, love, identity and education make it a perfect play for a young, enquiring audience. Shakespeare tells a compelling story but it is not sugar-coated. Its provocation feels particularly relevant in 2011 when the messages of gender equality and emancipation in schools, colleges and elsewhere are still as confused as ever. I am excited about honouring the comedy and the challenge of Shakespeare’s play and enabling it to engage theatrically with young and old minds alike.’
He continued: ‘The cast for The Taming of the Shrew is led by two outstanding young actors, David Ononokpono and Madeline Appiah, as Petruchio and Katherina. I am excited to be putting Christopher Sly (played by Jamie Beamish) back where he belongs – deep into the heart of the audience with some opinions of his own.’
The cast also includes: Caroline Martin (Baptista), Jason Morell (Grumio/Gremio), Nikesh Patel (Lucentio), Daniel Percival (Tranio), Emily Plumtree (Bianca) and Daniel Rose (Hortensio).
The production is an introduction to Shakespeare for children aged eight upwards, and families.
Release issued by: RSC press office
LINKS
Clybourne Park scoops awards
January 25, 2011
Bruce Norris’s new play Clybourne Park, produced by the Royal Court last year and transferring to the Wyndham’s Theatre from 28 January, has scooped two major best new play awards.
Sophie Thompson in Clybourne Park
In ceremonies held today in central London, the South Bank Sky Arts Awards and the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards both presented Clybourne Park with Best New Play gongs.
The Royal Court also picked up two more awards from the Critics’ Circle, both mirroring their wins at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards last year: the Most Promising Playwright Award for Anya Reiss’s Spur of the Moment and Daniel Kaluuya for most promising newcomer for Sucker Punch.
The National, RSC and Donmar Warehouse also did well from the Critics’ Circle awards with Michael Grandage and Thea Sharrock jointly awarded best director for King Lear at the Donmar and After the Dance at the National respectively.
Other winners included theatre veterans David Suchet receiving a best actor award for All My Sons at the Apollo and Derek Jacobi a best Shakespearean performance award for King Lear at the Donmar. Best musical went to the RSC’s Matilda The Musical based on Roald Dahl’s popular children’s book and best actress was awarded to Jenny Jules for her performance in Ruined at the Almeida.
The South Bank Sky Arts Awards led by Melvyn Bragg, the first to be presented by the Sky Arts channel following ITV’s axing of Bragg’s South Bank Show last year, saw Dame Judi Dench awarded the Outstanding Achievement award. Alongside Clybourne Park’s win, best opera production was awarded to Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg from Welsh National Opera and best dance was Akram Khan’s Gnosis at Sadler’s Wells.
LINKS
Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards 2010 – full list of winners
South Bank Sky Arts Awards 2011 – full list of winners
BOOK
Book tickets to Clybourne Park at the Wyndham’s Theatre in London
The RSC announces further details of its three new plays at Hampstead Theatre as part of a Season of World Premieres running for 10 weeks 16 April 2011 – 18 June 2011
January 14, 2011
• Little Eagles by Rona Munro, directed by Roxana Silbert
• Silence by David Farr and Filter, directed by David Farr
• American Trade by Tarell Alvin McCraney, directed by Jamie Lloyd
Little Eagles
16 April – 7 May 2011
Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s first orbit around the earth, Little Eagles by Rona Munro is the story behind the battle for military supremacy and the competitive fury of the Cold War. Written from a wholly new angle, the play reveals how Sergei Korolyov, chief designer and unsung hero of the Soviet space programme, struggled to meet the military demands of his ruthless political masters, Khrushchev and Brezhnev, whilst devoting as much time as possible to the space programme. And it shows how he was forced to risk the lives of his pilots, his beloved ‘little eagles’, including Gagarin, the first cosmonaut, whose achievement amazed and delighted the world.
Little Eagles presents a riveting portrait of a flawed genius, and in doing so brings this fascinating and little-known story vividly to life.
It is directed by RSC Associate Director Roxana Silbert. The play was developed in association with Davidson College in the USA.
Rona Munro has written extensively for stage, film, radio and television including Iron (Traverse Theatre Edinburgh and Royal Court), The Last Witch (Edinburgh International Festival) and Ladybird Ladybird directed by Ken Loach.
Cast includes: Charles Aitkin, Joseph Arkley, Brian Doherty, Darrell D’Silva, Noma Dumezweni, Dyfan Dwyfor, Phillip Edgerley, Greg Hicks, James Howard, Ansu Kabia, Debbie Korley, John Mackay, Sandy Neilson, Peter Peverley, Oliver Ryan, Hannah Young, Samantha Young.
The production is designed by Ti Green with lighting by Chahine Yavroyan. Music and Sound by Ben and Max Ringham. Movement is by Ayse Tashkiran.
Silence
12 – 28 May 2011
The second RSC show at Hampstead Theatre is Silence – a devised production created by Filter and David Farr.
Left alone in an unfamiliar land, Kate struggles to silence the noises in her head and begins to question her own sanity. In London Michael listens carefully to a conversation recorded twenty years ago. Can he hear a third silent person on the tape?
From urban noise to rural emptiness, through rationalism to spirituality, from Russia to the UK, Silence is the latest collaboration between the celebrated theatre company Filter and David Farr. Filter’s unique collaborative language creates rich stories that awaken the imaginative sense of an audience. Their previous work includes Twelfth Night for the RSC, Water co-created with David Farr, Three Sisters for the Lyric Hammersmith, and Caucasian Chalk Circle for the National Theatre.
Cast includes: Christine Entwisle, Mariah Gale, Paul Hamilton, Richard Katz, Jonjo O’Neill, Patrick Romer and Katy Stephens.
The RSC cast will be joined by Oliver Dimsdale and Ferdy Roberts from Filter.
The production is designed by Jon Bausor with lighting by Jon Clark. Music and Sound are by Tim Phillips
American Trade
2-18 June 2011
American Trade, which rounds off the season, is a feisty new play by the RSC’s Playwright in Residence, Tarell Alvin McCraney.
When things get a little too hot for him in New York, good-looking, charismatic hustler Pharus escapes the clutches of rap star Jules and moves to London, where he sets up an escort business under the guise of a model agency.
American Trade is a funny, uncompromising and outspoken play about survival, which challenges assumptions about racial and sexual identity. It is also a celebration of 21st century London in all its extravagant, confusing and dynamic diversity. The play will be directed by Jamie Lloyd.
The production is designed by Soutra Gilmour with lighting by Neil Austin, Music and Sound by Ben and Max Ringham. Movement is by Ann Yee.
Cast includes: Adam Burton, David Carr, Geoffrey Freshwater, Gruffudd Glyn, Kathryn Hunter, Tunji Kasim, Debbie Korley, Dharmesh Patel, David Rubin, Sophie Russell, Simone Saunders, Peter Shorey, Clarence Smith, James Traherne, James Tucker, Larrington Walker, Kirsty Woodward, Hannah Young and Samantha Young.
Tarell Alvin McCraney was the RSC/ CAPITAL CENTRE Warwick International Playwright in Residence in 2009-2010 and is a writer, director and performer. For the RSC he co-edited and directed the Young People’s Shakespeare production of Hamlet, which plays in the RSC’s London Season at the Roundhouse this winter. His plays include Wig Out, The Brother/Sister Plays trilogy (In the Red and Brown Water, The Brothers Size, Marcus; Or the Secret of Sweet) Choir Boy, Again and Again, A Meditation on Antigone and The Breach. Tarell was the recipient of London’s Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright 2008, the inaugural New York Times Outstanding Playwright Award 2009 and the 2009 Steinberg Award.
During the same ten weeks Hampstead Downstairs will present two under-the-radar premieres of new work.
RSC Artistic Director Michael Boyd said: “When Ed Hall invited us to return to Hampstead it was perfect timing for us. These three plays are the fruit of long and sustained relationships with Rona, Tarell and Filter and will be the final project for the RSC Ensemble. Two and a half years of playing together in Stratford and London, in Shakespeare and in contemporary Russian work, has prepared the Ensemble perfectly for this season.”
All three plays will be performed by the current RSC Ensemble who are currently performing in the season of Shakespeare plays at The Roundhouse which opened on 30 November 2010 and runs until 5 February 2011.
Roxana Silbert is RSC Season Director for Hampstead 2011.
She said: “I loved working at Hampstead last year on David Grieg’s Dunsinane. It feels good to be returning to Ed Hall’s re-invigorated space. There’s also an extraordinary vitality about this spring at the RSC and I am thrilled to be curator of this season of work at Hampstead. The acting company have been closely involved in the development of these plays over the last two years and so bring a sense of anticipation and fearlessness with them to the rehearsal room.”
Hampstead Theatre Artistic Director Edward Hall said “I am delighted to welcome the RSC back to Hampstead, and to be creating this ground breaking season of World Premieres with Roxana Silbert. This thrilling new venture includes five major new works from some of the leading voices in theatre today over a ten week period”.
RSC EVENTS
DIRECTOR LIVE WEB CHATS
In these 40 minute online discussions, this is the chance to put questions to the creative teams behind this season of new work. See the play, then post comments and questions via Twitter, Facebook or the RSC website, and then log on to a live web chat to hear responses from the teams. The forum will remain open throughout the season so the discussion can continue about the plays at any time.
Little Eagles Saturday 23 April, 6pm
Silence Saturday 21 May, 6pm
American Trade Saturday 11 June, 6pm
MEET THE AUTHORS
A panel discussion with Rona Munro, Filter and Tarell Alvin McCraney.
Thursday 28 April, 5.30pm
Main Theatre, Central School for Speech and Drama. Tickets £3.50
Hosted by RSC Dramaturg Jeanie O’Hare, this is an opportunity to hear about three distinct processes of creating new work at the RSC: from Rona Munro who has developed her work with the acting Ensemble; from Filter about the devising process for Silence and from Tarell Alvin McCraney, during his time as RSC Writer in Residence.
ADELAIDE ROAD
To celebrate the RSC London residences at Hampstead Theatre and the Roundhouse, Adelaide Road takes the road that links the two theatres as inspiration for an exciting new participatory project. Inspired by Shakespeare’s As You Like It, poet in residence Aoife Mannix will work with local communities in Camden as they explore themes of exile, home and community. You will be able to follow the story of Adelaide Road through a digital map at www.rsc.org.uk/adelaideroad that will be launched in May 2011, and audiences will be able to access the project through an iPhone app.
See www.rsc.org.uk/events for more details of all RSC Events throughout the season.
RSC productions at Hampstead Theatre at a glance:
Little Eagles
By Rona Munro
An RSC commission
Directed by Roxana Silbert
Previews from Saturday 16 April 2011
Press night: Thursday 21 April 2011, 7pm
Silence
Created by Filter and David Farr
Directed by David Farr
Royal Shakespeare Company in association with Filter
Previews from Thursday 12 May 2011
Press night: Wednesday 18 May 2011, 7pm
American Trade
By Tarell Alvin McCraney
An RSC commission
Directed by Jamie Lloyd
Previews from Thursday 2 June 2011
Press night: Wednesday 8 June 2011, 7pm
BOOKING INFORMATION
Hampstead Theatre Box Office: 020 7722 9301 or www.hampsteadtheatre.com
In person: Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 3EU
The RSC’s 16-25 Year old £5 ticket offer is available during this season.
DIRECTOR BIOGRAPHIES
Roxana Silbert is an Associate Director at the RSC. For the RSC she has directed Dunsinane by David Greig, which the National Theatre of Scotland will revive and tour in 2011, Brixton Stories by Biyi Bandele and the RSC’s first play in Twitter – Such Tweet Sorrow. Previously she worked with Rona Munro on Iron (Traverse/Royal Court) and Long Time Dead (Paines Plough/Plymouth Theatre Royal/Traverse). She was previously Artistic Director of Paines Plough (2005-2009), Literary Director at the Traverse Theatre and Associate Director at the Royal Court Theatre. Recent theatre credits include The Comedy of Errors at the Manchester Royal Exchange. With Paines Plough her directing credits include Orphans and After The End, both by Dennis Kelly, Roaring Trade by Steve Thompson, Dallas Sweetman by Sebastian Barry, Shoot/Get Treasure/Repeat by Mark Ravenhill, Strawberries in January by Evelyne de las Chenliere and two seasons of Play, Pie and a Pint including Being Norwegian by David Greig.
David Farr is an Associate Director of the RSC. For the RSC he has directed King Lear and The Winter’s Tale with the current ensemble at the Roundhouse, and then as part of the Lincoln Center Festival 2011 in New York. For the RSC’s 50th birthday season 2011, he directs Harold Pinter’s The Homecoming in the Swan theatre. He has also directed Coriolanus, Night of the Soul and Julius Caesar for the company. With Filter he co-wrote and directed Water at The Lyric Hammersmith, which is revived at The Tricycle Theatre in January this year. David was Artistic Director of the Lyric Hammersmith from 2005-2009 where he also directed the 50th anniversary production of Pinter’s The Birthday Party and an acclaimed version of Kafka’s Metamorphosis. He also writes for film and TV, including episodes of BBC1’s Spooks; and has co-written Hanna, a screenplay for Focus Features to be released in 2011 starring Saoirse Ronan and Cate Blanchett.
Jamie Lloyd is Associate Director of the Donmar Warehouse, for whom his directing credits include Passion, Polar Bears, Piaf and the forthcoming The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He has also directed Salome for Headlong, The Little Dog Laughed, Three Days of Rain (Olivier Award nomination for Best Revival) and The Lover and The Collection in the West End, and The Pride (Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement) at the Royal Court.
Release issued by: RSC press office
LINKS
Twelfth Night – Duke of York’s Theatre – Review
January 27, 2010
Review of Twelfth Night at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London
How much silliness there is in the Christmas and New Year season. Why, Shakespeare himself gives us in the timely ‘Tweflth Night’ (that is, Epiphany or 6th January to us) the fat, farting Sir Toby Belch and the foppish fool, Sir Andrew Aguecheek. In between their antics we are entertained by the muddled romances of twins Viola and Sebastian, who each believe the other dead in a shipwreck. Viola disguises herself as a man in order to serve a certain Duke Orsino; she apparently looks so much like her brother in this guise that no one can tell them apart. Hmm.
But it’s no use applying modern genetic logic to the Bard’s comedies. Even when we are sure of the outcome, it’s always fun to watch Viola – here played by the pleasingly androgynous Nancy Carroll – fall in love with the Duke, only to be sent by him as a messenger to woo the countess Olivia. The exquisite pain of it all!
But all poignancy is counterbalanced by the mirth of mistaken identity. Olivia promptly falls in love with Viola (how odd) and will be doomed to disappointment unless – could it possibly be? – her twin brother turns up and accedes, all bemused, to her desire to marry him.
This RSC production is headlined, at least in the minds of a local audience, by TV star Richard Wilson, cast as the countess’s steward. This is a man full of pomp and ceremony, so that he inevitably falls prey to a wicked practical joke played by Belch and Aguecheek. Persuaded by a fraudulent letter that Olivia secretly loves and admires only him, he adorns himself with cross gartered yellow stockings (as per her supposed tastes in fashion) and fantasises aloud about his future role as consort instead of servant. The two pranksters, meanwhile, hide in the Cubist-styled foliage of a tree to listen and laugh, their heads popping out like so many tourists posing behind comic beachside boards.
This is quite funny, although it has to be said that Wilson, notwithstanding his cut glass accent, lacks the required diction for Shakespearean verse-speaking, so that you have to strain to understand him.
The rest of the cast are, as you might expect, excellent. The erotic frisson between Nancy Carroll and Jo Stone- Fewings as the Duke sustains us throughout with its titillating prospect of hopeless love which will somehow bear fruit, while Alexandra Gilbreath as Olivia is both pretty and pretty determined to have her man. How modern: we love her.
There is live music, merriment and even sword fighting to point up the Bard’s rapier wit. Enjoy.
SUE WEBSTER. Courtesy of This Is London.
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Twelfth Night at the Duke of York's Theatre – Save £12.50
January 18, 2010
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Richard Wilson (One Foot in the Grave) stars as Malvolio in the RSC’s acclaimed new production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.
RSC Chief Associate Director Gregory Doran directs a stunning company of actors in a production that has been critically hailed as a “comic joy”.
Richard Wilson joins the RSC for the first time to play Malvolio. An award-winning actor and director, Richard’s recent stage appearances include Whipping It Up, Waiting for Godot and What the Butler Saw. In addition to his role as Victor Meldrew in One Foot in the Grave, Richard’s other TV includes the BBC’s Merlin.
Save £12.50 on tickets to see Twelfth Night at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London
Is televising theatre a good thing?
May 29, 2009
With the announcement that David Tennant’s Hamlet is to be televised for BBC2 we ponder the question: is televising theatre a good thing?
Tennant enjoyed enormous critical and audience acclaim for his performance of the Danish Prince for the RSC, both in Stratford and, briefly, in the West End until a serious back problem caused him to pull out.
Gregory Doran, who directed the RSC version, wants to reunite the cast and create a film version of the production.
This comes alongside the National Theatre’s NT Live programme, which sees live theatre broadcast to cinemas in the UK and around the world. It kicks off with a biggie – Phedre starring Helen Mirren, broadcast to over 50 cinemas on 25 June.
Given that few people actually had an opportunity to see David Tennant in Hamlet, and that Phedre completely sold out in a few days, the idea of taking live performance outside the confines of a theatre has the opportunity to vastly widen its audience. Theatre is intrinsically elitist – it costs a lot to attend and is very location specific. By turning to cinema and TV, you reduce the expense and vastly expand potential audiences.
But is something lost? The magic of seeing live theatre cannot be recreated on screen. And it’s a vastly different medium. Some of the most boring TV and cinema happens when you simply take a static theatre piece and point some cameras at it. Far from inspiring new generations of theatregoers it could actually confirm their worst suspicions – that theatre is slow and uneventful and nothing compared to the breadth and scope of the best movies and tele.
Bringing TV and film stars such as Tennant and Mirren into theatre has to be a good thing for everyone. But doing a neat back-flip and putting the TV star in a play on TV could backfire. Here’s a wild, off-the-wall idea: maybe these stars could tour their plays to other places than Stratford and London? For centuries stage stars spent the majority of their time performing in front of audiences across the UK – feeling a strong sense of loyalty to the millions of people who wanted to see them perform live. What happened to that?
WOS Theatregoers Choice Awards – the results
February 16, 2009
It was a good night for Shakespeare yesterday at the Whatsonstage Theatregoers Choice awards, held at the Prince of Wales theatre in London.
There were a number of awards for the Donmar’s Othello, including Best Shakespearan production, best director for Michael Grandage and best supporting actor for Tom Hiddleston. Also the RSC’s Hamlet received gongs for best regional production and theatre event of the year – to celebrate David Tennant’s performance and return to the stage.
As is often the case with awards chosen by the public, the spread of shows and talent was very wide, ranging from awards for musicals La Cage Aux Folles, West Side Story and Jersey Boys, to plays Under the Blue Sky, Fat Pig and The Female of the Species.
Kenneth Branagh must also be particularly delighted to have received best actor for Ivanov after being passed over by the Olivier Awards panel.
Othello – Donmar West End. Photograph: Tristram Kenton
The winners
Best Actress in a Play – Katy Stephens – The Histories, RSC at the Roundhouse
Best Actor in a Play – Kenneth Branagh – Ivanov, Donmar West End at Wyndham’s
Best Supporting Actress in a Play – Sophie Thompson – The Female of the Speciesat the Vaudeville
Best Supporting Actor in a Play – Tom Hiddleston – Othello at the Donmar Warehouse & Ivanov, Donmar West End at Wyndham’s
Best Actress in a Musical – Sofia Escobar – West Side Story at Sadler’s Wells
Best Actor in a Musical – Ryan Molloy – Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward
Best Supporting Actress in a Musical – Tracie Bennett – La Cage aux Folles at the Playhouse
Best Supporting Actor in a Musical – Stephen Ashfield – Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward
Best Solo Performance – Eddie Izzard – Stripped at the Lyric
Best Ensemble Performance – Into the Hoods – at the Novello
Best Takeover in a Role – Daniel Boys – Avenue Q at the Noël Coward
Best New Play – Under the Blue Sky by David Eldridge – at the Duke of York’s
Best New Comedy – Fat Pig by Neil LaBute – at Trafalgar Studios & the Comedy
Best New Musical – Jersey Boys by Bob Gaudio, Bob Crewe, Rick Elice & Marshall Brickman – at the Prince Edward
Best Play Revival – Ivanov, Donmar West End – at Wyndham’s
Best Musical Revival – West Side Story – at Sadler’s Wells
The Best Shakespearean Production – Othello – at the Donmar Warehouse
Best Director – Michael Grandage – Othello & The Chalk Garden at the Donmar Warehouse & Ivanov, Donmar West End at Wyndham’s
Best Set Designer – Klara Zieglerova – Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward
Best Lighting Designer – Malcolm Rippeth – Brief Encounter at The Cinema, Haymarket & Six Characters in Search of an Author at the Gielgud
Best Choreographer – Lynne Page – La Cage aux Folles at the Menier Chocolate Factory & Playhouse
London Newcomer of the Year – Josh Hartnett – Rain Man at the Apollo
Best Off-West End Production – Come Dancing – at Theatre Royal Stratford East
Best Regional Production – Hamlet – RSC at the Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
Theatre Event of the Year – David Tennant returning to the stage in Hamlet for the RSC
London Theatre – 2009 Preview
December 30, 2008
If theatre mirrors life then you would expect 2009 to be a bad year for the performing arts in London: economic downturns and credit crunches sound like gloomy news for our discretionary entertainment spending. But West End theatre box office figures have kept on going up in recent years, and the huge number of new productions sailing into town during 2009 could mean that Theatreland manages to buck the trend.
THE GREAT REVIVAL
The RSC, National Theatre, Donmar and Old Vic dominated straight drama in the West End in 2008, and they haven’t finished yet. Big hitters coming to town include Judi Dench and Rosamund Pike in the Donmar in the West End’s Madame de Sade at the Wyndhams; Jude Law offering us his, hopefully fighting fit, Hamlet; Gillian Anderson in Ibsen’s A Doll’s House and Rachel Weisz in A Streetcar Named Desire at the Donmar Warehouse; Helen Mirren making her return to the London stage in Phaedra at the National Theatre; and a number of crowd-pleasing revivals at the Old Vic, no more so than Dancing at Lughnasa, Brian Friel’s hugely successful play starring Andrea Corr, and Sam Mendes directing Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard and Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale, both featuring Ethan Hawke, Simon Russell Beale and Sinead Cusack.
STAR POWER
Other stars shimmying into town include Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart in Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot at the Haymarket, Ken Stott and Hayley Atwell in Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge at the Duke of York’s, heavy-hitter Pete Postlethwaite as King Lear at the Young Vic, and Antony Sher giving us his Prospero in the RSC’s The Tempest. The Gavin and Stacey phenomenon continues to roll on, as we see Joe Orton’s delicious romp Entertaining Mr Sloane at the Trafalgar Studios starring Gavin himself, Matthew Horne, alongside Imelda Staunton; whilst Gavin’s onscreen Mum Alison Steadman plays a barking Leeds housewife in Alan Bennett’s Enjoy at the Gielgud Theatre.
NEW PLAYS
The sharp eyed amongst you will notice that all of these plays are revivals rather than new work, keeping audiences firmly in their comfort zones. That said, new plays may be thin on the ground but not absent all together, with the National offering up Richard Bean’s England People Very Nice, following two lovers across four centuries, and Samuel Adamson’s Mrs Affleck set in the 1950s. Jez Butterworth has two new plays in pre-production, with comedy Parlour Song at the Almeida and Jerusalem at the Royal Court. Also at the Royal Court, Mark Ravenhill will bring his new play Over There. Plus Hollywood man of the moment James McAvoy is to star in Richard Greenberg’s acclaimed play Three Days of Rain at the Apollo, and at The Old Vic Richard Dreyfuss headlines the world premiere of American playwright Joe Sutton’s new play Complicit, directed by Kevin Spacey.
“BASED ON A FILM”
In musical theatre, 2009 promises to be a year of great big fabulous and familiar shows, surely enough to see us through the dark times? And it’s no coincidence that many of them are based on hugely successful films.
Oliver! will be well and truly steaming ahead through 2009 at the Drury Lane Theatre Royal with Rowan Atkinson and Jodie Prenger; La Cage Aux Folles will continue camping it up at the Playhouse but with Graham Norton taking over from Douglas Hodge; and at the Adelphi Theatre Lee Mead will bow out of Joseph to be replaced by Gareth Gates.
Jason Donovan will be donning the wigs and lip gloss to take us on an Australian power-mince in Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre. And Sister Act at the London Palladium will be doing its best to recreate the fun of the film, helped along by Whoopi Goldberg as co-producer. And not quite a musical but as good as, Calendar Girls the stage play will up the naked flesh quotient in the West End, starring Patricia Hodge and Lynda Bellingham at the Noel Coward Theatre.
Also in musicals-land the power of reality TV continues to wield its power, with Gareth Gates going into Joseph at the Adelphi Theatre, the X-factor’s Niki Evans continuing in Blood Brothers at the Phoenix, Jodie Prenger in Oliver at the Drury Lane, and Ray Quinn and Danny Bayne in Grease – joined for a limited time by the legendary Jimmy Osmond.
KIDS RULE
Kids should also see a good year in 2009 with an enormous live theatrical production of Walking with Dinosaurs coming to a stadium near you, and War Horse transfers from its successful run at the National Theatre to the New London Theatre.
