Berliner Ensemble arrive in UK as part of festival
26 October 2006
The theatre company that influenced the creation of the modern day Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) arrives in Stratford next month to play its part in the RSC’s year long Complete Works Festival.
The Berliner Ensemble, founded in 1949 by Bertolt Brecht and Helene Weigel, was a major influence on the creation of the RSC and brings its critically-acclaimed production of Richard II to Stratford-upon-Avon for four performances between the 16 and 18 November.
Awarded the prestigious ‘Friedrich-Luft-Preis’ for the best Berlin production in 2000, the play is directed by Claus Peymann and was translated into German for the Berliner Ensemble by the late German playwright and lyric poet Thomas Brasch.
Part of Shakespeare’s monumental history cycle, Peymann’s version of Richard II charts the degradation of Richard’s crown and personal downfall. A tale of betrayal, death and destruction, the play is set in an evocative monochrome landscape.
Commenting on his production of Richard II, director Claus Peymann said:
“Richard II is slightly overshadowed by Hamlet – and in fact it has got a lot from this play. Both of them show a hesitant mind which sees clearly in the moment of downfall. But there is this enlightening message in Richard, it is a piece of political, universal theatre. I hope that we help Richard II to have a real comeback in Germany with our work – for me it is one of Shakespeare’s finest plays. In the beginning there is injustice. But the revengers become more and more like their enemies. In realising that, Richard’s strength grows – even in his failure.”
Michael Maertens takes the lead role of Richard II, with Hanna Jurgens as Queen Isabel; Carmen-Maja Antoni as the Duchess of Gloucester and the Duchess of York; Alexander Doering as Green; Peter Donath as Bushy and Lord Willoughby; Boris Jacoby as Bagot; Manfred Karge as the Duke of York; Dirk Ossig as the Duke of Aumerle; Michael Rothmann as Thomas Mowbray; Veit Schubert as Harry Bolingbroke; Axel Werner as the Earl of Northumberland; and Martin Seifert as John of Gaunt and the Bishop of Carlisle.
Joining Peymann on the creative team are; Achim Freyer (set design); Maria-Elena Amos (costume); Jutta Ferbers (dramaturgy); Konrad Lindenberg and Achim Freyer (lighting).
Richard II will be performed in German with English surtitles at The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon between the 16 and 18 November. For further information and tickets contact the RSC ticket hotline on: 0870 609 1110 or visit: www.rsc.org.uk.
Ends
Further information
Berliner Ensemble presents
RICHARD II
The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
Four performances only from 16-18 November 2006
In German with English surtitles.
BOX OFFICE: 0870 609 1110 or www.rsc.org.uk
For more information please contact:
Joanna Hammond
01789 272351
joanna.hammond@rsc.org.uk
Dean Asker
01789 412660
dean.asker@rsc.org.uk
Notes to editors
Images
Images from the production are available on request from the RSC Press Office.
Performance schedule
Thursday 16 November, 7.30pm
Friday 17 November, 7.30pm
Saturday 18 November, 1.30pm
Saturday 18 November, 7.30pm
Press tickets
Press tickets for Richard II are available on request from Dean Asker.
