Our Shakespeare Nation work in Kent happens through our Regional Partner Theatre, The Marlowe, Canterbury. The Marlowe has a long and rich history stretching back across a century and three different sites in Canterbury. The current theatre openend in 2011 after a complete redevelopment, and now welcomes 420,000 people through its doors each year.

You can watch a behind-the-scenes insight into their Shakespeare Nation project Error Error Error on their YouTube channel, based on their work around our 2021 production of The Comedy of Errors.

Henry VI: Rebellion

74 adults from Blackpool, Bradford, Canterbury, Cornwall, Norwich and Nottingham appeared alongside the professional cast in 2022's Henry VI: Rebellion. They played the roles of working people who take part in the rebellion led by the character of Jack Cade against Henry VI, and townsfolk in a scene where Henry VI is out hunting.

Initially they rehearsed in their local theatres before taking to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre stage from April 2022, with each group appearing in around four performances.

You can find out more about their journey to the RSC stage with the video below, The Marlowe in Shakespeare's Stratford, from the Marlowe's YouTube channel.

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As part of Shakespeare Nation, the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury worked with Canterbury Umbrella to create a co-production responding to Shakespeare and The Comedy of Errors. Canterbury Umbrella is a not for profit charity Community Centre, open to everybody, and particularly providing support to people with mental health problems.

The co-production took The Comedy of Errors as inspiration for a show which celebrated all the errors, big and small, that make up our lives. Members of the Kent community gathered together after isolation to make live theatre again. After eighteen months on Zoom and no longer “on mute” anymore….what could go wrong?

You can see a behind-the-scenes video about the project on the Marlowe's YouTube page.

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RE-FINDING YOUR VOICE

Our Shakespeare Nation work with The Marlowe began in early 2021 with a series of short workshop videos designed by RSC voice coach Michael Corbidge. The videos consisted of short workouts designed to develop vocal techniques. This was devised to combat social isolation, which silenced so many people during the pandemic.

You can find out more and see the videos here.