JAMES BAKER DELIVERS FRESH APPROACH TO DEVELOPING ACTORS AT NEW TRAINING SPACE
One of the Manchester region’s most exciting emergent directors, has announced the creation of a new acting school – The A Space.
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James Baker has taught at some of the U.K.’s most prestigious drama schools and Universities and has created a name for himself as an inspirational teacher and director. After 15 years of training actors, directing theatre and winning high accolades in the theatre world, James recognised a gap in high quality skills training for actors in the North West.
Baker said: “I care deeply about actors and the training they receive outside of London which is affordable and of a certain merit”
The A Space is an acting school with a difference- it places the focus on the artist at the heart of the actor. Actors will create, play, test, and above all else, exercise their artistic muscles with the support of professionals. The engaging and inspiring space will be the setting for actors as they develop their skills and technique under Baker’sno-nonsense approach. The in-depth, practical classes promise to stretch, challenge, and elevate actors in a unique and holistic way that will prepare them for the industry.
The school will offer 4 twelve-week terms per year that will be weekly on Wednesdays from 6pm-9pm. The term structure creates consistency and sustain quality of teaching. Each term will focus on a specific technique with clear practical application and outcomes. Actors will also benefit frommovement and voice classes throughout their training.
James Baker on training structure: “I want to ensure those attending get focussed training which has an end objective and in which learning can be measured – I’m passionate – I don’t want to create a transient and unfocused environment. I care about your training.”
The A Space is different! The school promises to only recruit14 actors, max and not oversubscribe the course. This will foster personal and high-level focussed training to nourish and develop actors’ technical tool kit and add rigour to their skills. The course time also sets the space apart, providing 3 hours of quality instruction rather than the 2 hours typically offered.
This is an incredibly valuable opportunity for actors in the North West to enhance their skills and stand out in a region that has a growing reputation for producing amazing theatre talent.
Classes begin Wednesday 5 June. There is sure to be a lot of interest and spots are limited – interested actors are encouraged to enrol quickly!
DETAILS
Classes Start: Wednesday 5th June (then every following Wednesday)
Time: 6-9pm
Location: Friends’ Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, Manchester, M2 5NS
Cost: £110 per month
TO ENROL or for more info contact[email protected] / Twitter: @TheASpace
Bill Kenwright’s ‘Dazzling’ (Sunday Telegraph) production of the international smash hit musicalBlood Brothers returns this summer with a three-week season at Cork Opera House from 5 Augustbefore embarking on a UK tour.
‘The definitive Mrs Johnstone’ (Manchester Evening News) Lyn Paul returns to the iconic role for the final time. Having first played her in 1997 and on numerous tours, Lyn played Mrs Johnstone in the final West End performances at the Phoenix Theatre in 2012. She has also starred in the UK tour ofCabaret in 2013 as Fraulein Schneider, in Boy George’s musical Taboo and in Footloose – the Musical.
Lyn said: “I am beyond thrilled to be returning to BLOOD BROTHERS in this iconic role. I’m honoured to have been given the opportunity to undertake this “Farewell Tour” by my good friend, Bill Kenwright. It’s such a privilege to be able to play Mrs Johnstone one final time”.
Lyn rose to fame in the early 1970s as a member of the New Seekers. She was the featured vocalist on their 1972 Eurovision Song Contest entry, ‘Beg, Steal or Borrow’ and lead vocalist on the 1974 number-one hit ‘You Won’t Find Another Fool Like Me’. The groups biggest hit was ‘I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing’, adapted from an advertising jingle for Coca-Cola, which sold over 20 million copies and remains one of the 100 best-selling singles in the UK.
Further casting for the tour will be announced in due course.
Considered ‘One of the best musicals ever written’ (Sunday Times), Blood Brothers, written by award-winning playwright Willy Russell has triumphed across the Globe. Scooping up no fewer than four awards for Best Musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway, Blood Brothers is simply ‘Unmissable and unbeatable’ (The Spectator).
This epic tale of Liverpool life started as a play, performed at a Liverpool comprehensive school in 1981 before opening at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1983. It has since completed sell out seasons in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan and ran in London’s West End for 24 years, exceeding 10,000 performances. One of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone.
Blood Brothers tells the moving story of twin boys separated at birth, only to be reunited by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret. The memorable score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.
When Mrs Johnstone, a young mother, is deserted by her husband and left to her own devices to provide for seven hungry children she takes a job as a housekeeper in order to make ends meet.
It is not long before her brittle world crashes around her when she discovers herself to be pregnant yet again – this time with twins! In a moment of weakness and desperation, she enters a secret pact with her employer which leads inexorably to the show’s shattering climax. A sensational cast, brilliant book, show stopping music, remarkable staging and five-star performances make Blood Brothersan enthralling night of entertainment.
Willy Russellis one of this country’s leading contemporary dramatists. His theatre credits includeEducating Rita, Shirley Valentine, Breezeblock Park and Our Day Out. Educating Rita, originally commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, enjoyed a two-year run in the West End and was made into a film starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters. Shirley Valentine also made the move from stage to screen in an enormously popular film starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti.
STAR ANNOUNCED TO PLAY ALADDIN AT ST HELENS THEATRE ROYAL
Regal Entertainments are delighted to announce that award-winning actor, writer and director, Kelvin Fletcher, will be playing the title role in their panto production of Aladdin coming to St Helens Theatre Royal this Christmas.
Best known for his role as Andy Sugden in ITV’s Emmerdale, Kelvin will lead an all-star cast whenAladdin flies in to St Helens Theatre Royal from Sat 7 Dec ’19 – Sun 12 Jan ’20.
Further cast to be announced shortly.
Kelvin became one of the leading and most popular characters in the hit ITV soap. His character won the hearts of the nation and was widely regarded as one of the standout actors and was regularly involved in some of the show’s biggest storylines, winning Best Actor and Best Dramatic Performanceat the British Soap Awards.
The star also recently participated in ITV’s The All New Monty: Who Bares Winswhich saw a group of celebrities strip-off to raise awareness of the importance of early health checks in preventing prostate and testicular cancer. He is also a guest reporter for the Channel 5 show Spring Time On the Farm.
Kelvin’s writing and directing credits include short film Gomez and the comedic play Doormen, which was performed at the Comedy Store and Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Kelvin Fletcher said:“I am very excited to be joining the cast of Aladdin and can’t wait to spend Christmas with audiences of St Helens.”
There’s nothing wishee washee about Regal Entertainments’ spectacular panto which will whisk audiences off to Old Peking for a genie-ous adventure this Christmas.
Join hero Aladdin as he battles the evil Abanazer and his dastardly plan to rule the world with the help of one very special lamp.
With larger-than-life washerwoman mum Widow Twankey, hapless Wishee Washee, the Genie of the Lamp, Slave of the Ring and a beautiful princess, this is a show full of eastern promise.
St Helens Theatre Royal manager, Chantelle Nolan said:“We are thrilled to announce Kelvin as our leading man Aladdin, in what promises to be a high-flying adventure this Christmas. He was on our screens in one of the country’s biggest shows for 20 years and we are delighted to welcome him to St Helens.
“We still have plenty more cast announcements to come, so watch this space. And be sure to book your tickets to Aladdin early to guarantee the best seats!”
St Helens Theatre Royal invites audiences on a magical carpet ride this Christmas time when Aladdinflies in from Sat 7 Dec ‘19 – Sun 12 Jan ’20.
Tickets are on sale now! Be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.
Dates: Saturday 7 December 2019 – Sunday 12 January 2020
Times: Various
Tickets: From £13*
*All prices are inclusive of a £1 per seat transaction fee. On-line bookings are subject to an additional 50p per seat on-line processing fee.
THEATRE ROYAL BOOKING DETAILS
Book in person at the Theatre Royal Box Office, Corporation Street, St. Helens, Merseyside WA10 1LQ (Mon – Sat 10am – 5pm). Alternatively, call 01744 756 000 or log on to:www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.
Northern Ballet has announced the World Première of an adaptation of the classic fairytale, Little Red Riding Hood. The production will be the seventh children’s ballet created by the Company in the lasteight years, and will première at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre in Leeds with 17 performances from 28 October – 2 November 2019, before touring nationally in 2020.
Little Red Riding Hood follows in the footsteps of the Company’s six previous children’s ballets, which have achieved huge popularity both live on stage and in CBeebies TV adaptations. This new balletwill reimagine the well-known children’s story to tell the tale of a kind little girl who comes across a very hungry wolf in the forest. But is he really such a big, bad wolf? Lasting approximately 40 minutes, the ballet has been created especially for young children and families to experience live dance, music and theatre together.
With an all female creative team, Little Red Riding Hood will feature choreography by Northern Ballet company dancer Mariana Rodrigues, set designs by Marjoke Henrichs, lighting by Abbi Fearnley, costume designs by Mariana Rodrigues in collaboration with Kim Brassley and Carley Marsh, and music composed by Eloise Gynn, played live by members of Northern Ballet Sinfonia.
Daniel de Andrade, Artistic Director of Northern Ballet’s Children’s Ballets, said: ‘We are thrilled to announce Little Red Riding Hood as our next ballet for children. Over the last few years it has been a pleasure to bring the joy of live ballet to so many families and provide opportunities for young childrento attend the theatre, often for the very first time. We are now excited to continue that tradition withMariana’s official choreographic debut, Little Red Riding Hood.’
Tickets for Little Red Riding Hood at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre are on sale now with tickets priced at £7.00 for adults and £5.50 for children. Tickets can be booked online at theatreleeds.com or by calling the Box Office on 0113 220 8008. Booking early is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.
Jude Christian appointed new Associate Director of HOME, Manchester
HOME, Manchester’s multi-art form centre has announced the appointment of Jude Christianto the new role of Associate Director.
Jude will work alongside Director & CEO Dave Moutrey, Executive Director Jon Gilchrist and HOME’s Artistic Team to support the development of new work, artists and companies and taking a creative lead in the making of work produced by HOME.
Jude is a director, writer and theatremaker. Her work as a director includes Dark Night of the Soul (Shakespeare’s Globe); Trust, Blue and I’d Rather Goya Robbed Me Of My Sleep Than Some Other Arsehole (Gate); My Mum’s a Twat, Bodies and Lela & Co. (Royal Court);Parliament Square (Royal Exchange/Bush) and othellomacbeth (HOME/Lyric Hammersmith). As an associate director and dramaturg she has also worked on The Darkest Corners andThree Sisters (RashDash); The Seagull and Shopping and Fucking (Lyric Hammersmith) andCarmen Disruption (Almeida). Her work as a writer includes Dick Whittington (Lyric Hammersmith) and Nanjing (The Yard/Shakespeare’s Globe/Royal Court). Jude was previously Resident Director at the National Theatre Studio, an Associate Artist at The Yard and the Lyric Hammersmith, and Dramaturg at RWCMD. She is an Associate Artist at the Gate Theatre.
Jude Christian said today: “HOME is a place where people, art and ideas mingle and collide, where radical cultural and social movements can germinate, in the way that Manchester does best. I’m massively chuffed to be joining the team, and looking forward to creating and nurturing new work in this brilliantly eclectic building.”
HOME’s Director & CEO Dave Moutrey said: “We’re delighted that Jude will be joining the team here at HOME. Her experience of creating original work and supporting emerging artists will be vital as HOME moves into an exciting new period. In what was a hugely competitive field, I felt Jude’s distinctive artistic approach will have a fundamental impact on the work we’re developing here at HOME.”
The Lyric Hammersmith today announces the cast for Michael Frayn’s award winning Noises Off,which runs from 27 June – 27 July 2019. Returning to the Lyric for the first time since its triumphant premiere in 1982, Jeremy Herrin (All My Sons,Wolf Hall, This House), will direct a new production of this iconic British comedy for fans to enjoy and new audiences to discover.
The role of Dotty Otley is played by BAFTA Television Award nominee Meera Syal, most known forBeautiful Thing, Absolutely Anything and the BBC’s critically acclaimed The Kumars at No. 42. Joining Meera, Lloyd Dallas, the director of the play-within-the-play, is played by Lloyd Owen, who earlier this year starred alongside Sheridan Smith in the ITV drama Cleaning Up. Playing Garry Lejeune is comic actor Daniel Rigby, known for playing Eric Morecambe in BBC Two’s Eric & Ernie, for which he won the Best Actor at the BAFTA Television Awards and the National Theatre’s One Man, Two Guvnors.
Further casting includes Lois Chimimba (Almeida’s Three Sisters, BBC’s Trust Me) as Poppy Norton-Taylor, Jonathan Cullen (Merry Wives of Windsor) as Freddie Fellows, Debra Gillett (Madness of King George III,Limehouse) as Belinda Blair, Amy Morgan (Travesties, Mr Selfridge) as Brooke Ashton,Enyi Okoronkwo (The Cherry Orchard) as Tim Allgood and Simon Rouse (Hangmen, Local Hero, The Bill) as Selsdon Mowbray.
With technical brilliance and split-second timing, Noises Off takes audiences behind the scenes with a company of actors in a hilarious and heartfelt tribute to the unpredictability of life in the theatre.
Michael Frayn said “It’s a great personal pleasure for me, of course, to see my play come home, after all its travels around the world in the last forty years, to the theatre where it took its first hopeful but still uncertain steps.”
Hans Fallada’s Alone in Berlin receives UK stage premiere adaptation by Alistair Beaton
Produced by Royal & Derngate and York Theatre Royal in association with Oxford Playhouse, the production will have its World Premiere in Northampton as part of Royal & Derngate’s Made in Northampton 2019/20
Hans Fallada’s internationally best-selling novel is adapted for the stage by Alistair Beaton and will be directed by James Dacre
Royal & Derngate Northampton and York Theatre Royal, in association with Oxford Playhouse, today announced that they will be staging the world premiere of Alone in Berlin, adapted for the stage by Alistair Beaton from Hans Fallada’s acclaimed novel. Directed by Royal & Derngate’s Artistic Director James Dacre, the production will open in Northampton in February before transferring to York and Oxford.
Set in 1940, the play is a gripping portrait of life in wartime Berlin and a vividly theatrical study of how paranoia can warp a society gripped by the fear of the night-time knock on the door. Based on true events, Alone in Berlin follows a quietly courageous couple who stand up to the brutal reality of the Nazi regime. With the smallest of acts, they defy Hitler’s rule – facing the gravest of consequences.
This timely story of the moral power of personal resistance follows Otto and Anna as they negotiate the insidious effects of absolute power on every aspect of daily life. When they decide to make a stand in their own unique way, the Gestapo launch a terrifying hunt for the perpetrators. Otto and Anna find themselves players in a deadly game of cat and mouse with the forces of the state – a game that will eventually lead them down through ever-narrowing circles of totalitarian hell.
Described as “the greatest book ever written about German resistance to the Nazis” by Primo Levi, book sales for Alone in Berlin entered the bestseller list again three years ago – almost unheard of for a 20th century literary classic – as its themes began to resonate across the world once more. Regularly adapted for stage productions across Europe, this will be the first time Fallada’s masterpiece has been seen on a British stage.
It has been translated from the German and adapted by the celebrated playwright and translator Alistair Beaton, whose numerous credits include Feelgood, Fracked!, Follow My Leader and The Trial of Tony Blair and adaptations of work by European literary giants such as Bertolt Brecht, Max Frisch and Nikolai Gogol amongst others.
Alone in Berlin is directed by James Dacre whose recent production of Our Lady of Kibeho enjoyed critical acclaim. Previous productions while at Royal & Derngate include King John (UK Theatre Renee Stepham Award) and The Herbal Bed (UK Theatre Award for Best Touring Production) and world premieres of Brave New World and The Hook.
Alone in Berlin is part of Royal & Derngate’s Made in Northampton season. For more information, visit the theatre’s website www.royalandderngate.co.uk.
The Made in Northampton season is sponsored locally by Michael Jones Jewellers.
Based on the music of American punk band Green Day, American Idiot is basically the story of three boyhood friends, searching for meaning in post 9/11 America. As thick as thieves, dropouts, with their puerile humour, they all decide to escape suburbia. This leads to different paths for all of them.
Johnny (Tom Milner) pushes the other two into leaving for the bright light of the city, Tunny (Joshua Dowen) and Will (Samuel Pope) are eager to follow, that is until Will’s girlfriend tips up to say that she’s pregnant, persuading Will to stay behind. Johnny and Tunny now in the city, react completely differently, Tunny finds it hard to adjust and spends all his time watching television, being seduced by what he sees and enlists into the army and is shipped off abroad to some conflict. Meanwhile Johnny realising that the grass is not greener on the other side, descends into a world of drugs. He is lead astray by St Jimmy (Luke Friend), pressurising him into taking hard drugs. St Jimmy mirrors Johnny the whole time. St Jimmy is so much more in every way, more intimidating, larger than life, outrageous. Each of the three friends’ lives descend into darkness, but for different reasons and in different ways.
The set was on two levels, with the live band on the top level. The band were superb delivering hit after hit, head banging aplenty. Milner manages to portray Johnny convincingly, as we follow his addictions, showing a vulnerable side to his character. His vocals are spot on and he is a strong lead. Friend portrays St Jimmy with an evil swagger, growling his way through his numbers. Dowen has obviously been spending a lot of the time in the gym in his portrayal and Tunny, he certainly looked the part of an American soldier. Pope was very believable as Will, wanting to be a father, but struggling to grow up and take responsibility. The whole cast are absolutely amazing in how much energy they have, they must have an awful lot of stamina to carry on for the whole show at the same level, night after night.
It is raw and doesn’t shy away in its explicitness. There is a powerful scene which captivated the audience, where we see Johnny injecting heroin, this is done in silence, the only sound to be heard is the slapping of skin in order to find a vein, before the hit.
American Idiot is a high energy show, with very little let up and can be chaotic at times, there is a lot going on, but it stays true to Green Day and their music and lyrics. I encourage anyone to give it a go.
To mark 9/5 Day today (9-5-2019), a celebration of both the iconic Dolly Parton song and the musical, the producers of 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL are delighted to announce 300,000 more tickets are now on sale for the London run of the musical as the show extends at the Savoy Theatre in to2020.
Dolly Parton said today I am so excited that the UK has given both my song and my show 9 to 5 the Musical their very own special day! I couldn’t think of a better date to announce that the West End run of the show will be extending in to 2020 with a further 300,000 tickets now on sale, that’s almost more tickets than I have rhinestones on my outfits!
The London production currently stars Louise Redknapp as ‘Violet Newstead’, Amber Davies as ‘Judy Bernly’,Natalie McQueen as ‘Doralee Rhodes’, Bonnie Langford as ‘Roz Keith’ and Brian Conley as ‘Franklin Hart’. The show opened in the West End in February, where Dolly Parton attended the premiere and joined the cast on stage at the finale.
A second production of the hit musical will play 11 cities throughout the UK and Ireland, opening at the Alexandra Theatre Birmingham on 6 September 2019.
9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL features a book by Patricia Resnick, the legendary film’s original screenwriter, and an original Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-nominated score by multi Grammy Award winner, country legend and pop icon Dolly Parton.
9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL tells the story of Doralee, Violet and Judy – three workmates pushed to boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. Concocting a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor, will the women manage to reform their office – or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit?Inspired by the cult film this hilarious new West End production is about teaming up, standing up and taking care of business!
9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is written by Patricia Resnick, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. It is directed by Jeff Calhoun, choreography by Lisa Stevens, design by Tom Rogers, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Poti Martin, video design by Nina Dunn, original arrangements by Stephen Oremus & Alex Lacamoire, original Broadway orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin, musical supervisor, reductions & extra arrangements by Mark Crossland, musical direction by Andrew Hilton and casting by Victoria Roe.
Based on the 20th Century Fox Picture. Originally produced on Broadway by Robert Greenblatt, April 2009.
9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group, Selladoor Worldwide and Gavin Kalin Productions with Benjamin Lowy Productions, Glass Half Full Productions, Showtime Theatre Productions, Hartshorn – Hook Productions, Harmonia Holdings and Kilimanjaro Live.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL
Savoy Theatre, Savoy Court, London, WC2R 0ET
Currently booking in to 2020
Box Office: 0844 871 7687
Performances: Monday – Saturday 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday 2.30pm
Maggie Bain (Netflix’s Black Mirror, The End of the F***ing World; film Dark Sense; and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare’s Globe) to play Henry V
ITV’s Victoria star David Oakes to play Hamlet
Sam Callis (Game of Thrones, The Bill)to play Prosperoin The Tempest
And returning from last year’s SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE are Olivia Onyehara in the role of Viola, Mark Holgate as Orsino, and Leandra Ashtonplaying Olivia in Twelfth Night
Picture Credit Charlotte Graham Pictures Shows Actors from the 2019 company of Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre pictured outside York to mark the first day of rehearsals. L-R Mark Holgate as ‘Duke Orsino’ from Twelfth Night Sam Callis as ‘Prospero’ Maggie Bain as ‘Henry V’ David Oakes as ‘Hamlet, Prince of Denmark’, Olivia Onyehara as ‘Viola’ from Twelfth Night
Casting has been announced for the 2019 York company of SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE, the award-winning pop-up Shakespearean Theatre, which makes a triumphant return to the foot of Clifford’s Tower in York this summer with new productions of Hamlet, Henry V, The Tempest and Twelfth Night. The plays have been selected from across the genres, offering something for everyone, and will be performed in repertory by two companies of actors.
Making up the 18-strong Hamlet/Twelfth Night company are Leandra Ashton (Courtier/Soldier/Sailor & Olivia), Antony Bunsee (Player King/Courtier/Soldier & Priest), Claire Corbett (Horatio & Feste/Sailor), Marcello Cruz(Laertes/Soldier & Sebastian), Fine Time Fontayne (Ghost 1/Player 1/Digger 1/Lord & Sir Toby Belch/Sailor/Musician), Hannah Francis-Barker (swing), Mark Holgate (Marcellus/Fortinbras/Player 3 & Orsino), Gordon Kane (Polonius/English Ambassador & Captain), Rina Mahoney (Gertrude & Maria/Sailor),Serena Manteghi (Ophelia & 1st Officer), David Oakes (Hamlet & 2nd Officer/Sailor), Olivia Onyehara(Osric/Courtier/Soldier & Viola), Alex Phelps (Courtier/Reynaldo/Priest/Soldier & Sir Andrew Aguecheek/Sailor/Musician), Richard Standing (Claudius & Curio/Musician), Claire Storey (Ghost 2/Player 2/Digger2 & Malvolio/Sailor/Musician), Cassie Vallance (Guildenstern/Bernardo & Fabien/Sailor) Wreh-asha Walton (Rosencrantz/Francisco & Valentine) and Declan Wilson (Voltimand/Captain & Antonio/Sailor).
Making up the 19-strong Tempest/Henry V company are Ali Azhar (Male Spirit & Dauphin/French Soldier),Maggie Bain (Antonia & Henry V), Raphael Bushay (Caliban & Montjoy/Chorus), Sam Callis (Prospero & King of France/Erpingham), Niall Costigan (Alonso & York/Governor/Bourbon), Richie Daysh, (Boatswain & Pistol),Leander Deeny (Ariel & Constable/Grey), Jessica Dennis (Female Spirit/Ceres & Chorus/Williams/Nym), Charlyne Francis (Iris & Katherine/Boy), Alexandra Guelff (Miranda & Alice/Scrope/Court/Chorus), Scott Hoatson (Francisco & Westmoreland/Chorus), Alexander Knox (Ferdinand & Bates/Gloucester), Christopher Logan (Trinculo & Orleans/MacMorris/Cambridge), Amy Loughton (Adrian & Fluellen/Chorus), Peter Moreton(Stephano & Canterbury/Bardolf/Burgundy), Johanne Murdock (Juno & Duke of Exeter), Marilyn Nnadebe(Female Spirit & Duke of Berri/Soldier), Paul Sockett (Sebastian & Gower/Chorus) and Flo Wilson (Gonzala & Ely/Hostess/Isabel).
On casting Maggie Bain in the role of Henry V, director Gemma Fairlie commented, “We auditioned a huge range of actors of all genders for this role, but no-one quite captured the complexity of the character like Maggie. Henry is such an iconic figure for the English, he is sometimes more myth than man. But we have to understand why thousands followed him into battle, whilst also seeing the weight of that responsibility for the nation on his shoulders. Henry has a wit, a charm and a charisma that is infectious, and Maggie has that in spades. I know that the audience will fall in love with Henry through her, while hopefully questioning how constructed the public persona of a King is by seeing a woman play a man.”
Originator of the project and CEO of international theatre company, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, James Cundall MBE, said “I am absolutely delighted that once again the creative team has found a cast of such stunningly high calibre for our four new Shakespeare plays and I’m sure that the audiences in York will really enjoy and appreciate their talents.”
Damian Cruden, Artistic Director of SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE said, “From our company of 34 actors last season, 14 have returned – we all so enjoyed the experience of performing in such a unique and intimate venue last year; there was a great team spirit and I’m thrilled that so many of the cast have decided to join our revels again this year.”
SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE – a 13-sided Elizabethan-style playhouse, complete with an Elizabethan village – will be constructed over a three-week period from the end of May, returning to the foot of 13th century Clifford’s Tower, where it will open on 25 June and run until 1 September 2019.
SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE is also expanding this year, with a new site at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, where two other companies will be performing the repertoire of plays from the first season in York: Romeo & Juliet, Richard III, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Macbeth.
Both Shakespearean theatres will be constructed using state-of-the-art scaffolding technology, corrugated iron and timber. Inspired by the famous London Rose Playhouse built in 1587, 12 years prior to The Globe, SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE will house an audience of 900, with 560 seated in three covered tiers around an open-roofed courtyard with standing room for 340 ‘groundlings’.
Both theatres will be located within a Shakespearean village, bringing an authentic Elizabethan ambience and theatricality to the event, with ‘wagon’ performances of Elizabethan-style entertainment and the oak-framed and reed-thatched Bear Arms pub serving the best local food and drinks. In York the village will feature an Elizabethan garden with ornate box-edged beds of flowers and herbs as well as a water fountain, while Blenheim Palace will feature a rustic rural scene complete with village pond, farm wagons and carts.
The Blenheim Palace season will run from 8 July – 7 September, with casting to be announced.
SHAKESPEARE’S ROSE THEATRE and Shakespeare’s Village are produced by Yorkshire-based Lunchbox Theatrical Productions. The Blenheim Palace season is presented in association with Raymond Gubbay Ltd and Blenheim Palace.
