RSC in London - Winter 2008-9
09 June 2008
RSC Artistic Director, Michael Boyd today confirms three Shakespeare productions for a winter season at London's Novello Theatre, alongside two new RSC commissions premiering at Wilton's Music Hall.
The Novello Theatre, with three Shakespeare plays, from December 2008 to March 2009:
- Hamlet, directed by RSC Chief Associate Director, Gregory Doran
- A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Gregory Doran
- The Taming of the Shrew, directed by Conall Morrison
Wilton's Music Hall in the City, with two previously announced new works, which receive their world premiere from November 2008:
- The Tragedy of Thomas Hobbes, by Adriano Shaplin (RSC/Warwick International Writer in Residence), directed by Elizabeth Freestone
- The Cordelia Dream, by Marina Carr, directed by Selina Cartmell
Michael Boyd, RSC Artistic Director, said: “Greg Doran's A Midsummer Night's Dream combines wide-eyed fairy magic with obscene humour in a production which speaks vividly to adults and young people alike. RSC alumni, David Tennant, Patrick Stewart and Penny Downie, are coming back to the Company, bringing new experience and perspectives, to work with Greg on Hamlet. And Conall Morrison's terrifying reading of Shrew explores the deep seams of fear and anger which can be at the heart of sexual relationships in a riotously playful production.
“The RSC wants to connect contemporary people with Shakespeare and engage with the world as we know it, mining Shakespeare for inspiration but also drawing from contemporary writers and artists to re-examine his work. That's why I'm particularly pleased that we can present two new works alongside the Shakespeare repertoire.
“Adriano Shaplin's new play The Tragedy of Thomas Hobbes was completed during his time as writer in residence, working in the rehearsal room directly with the Histories company, exploring epic theatre-making and grappling with the clash between art and science. Marina Carr has drawn on the universal themes from King Lear as the starting point for her two-hander, The Cordelia Dream. Both will be cross-cast from the Stratford ensemble, allowing our actors to flex their muscles on both Shakespeare and contemporary writing.”
Vikki Heywood, RSC Executive Director, said: “The RSC is pleased to continue its agreement with Delfont Mackintosh to use the Novello Theatre, alongside other London venues. It's great to be returning there with three Shakespeare plays direct from The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford, and to be taking new work to the beautiful and evocative space of Wilton's Music Hall.
“This year we've hardly paused for breath as we've criss-crossed the capital - from the Hackney Empire in East London (to which we're returning next year with Othello as part of a national tour), to the Tricycle and at the Roundhouse in North London, and the Soho and New London theatres in the West End – selling out shows all over town and reaching new and more diverse audiences. Between November 2007 and May 2008, over 97,000 people have seen us in the capital.”
Summary of productions
Novello Theatre
Hamlet
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Gregory Doran
Designed by Robert Jones
Dates: 3 December 08 – 10 January 2009
Press Night: Tuesday 9 December, 7pm
Gregory Doran's production of Shakespeare's most famous play will be transferring directly from a sold out run in The Courtyard Theatre where it opens at the end of July and will play in repertoire until 15 November.
David Tennant takes the title role, with Patrick Stewart and Penny Downie as Claudius and Gertrude, and Oliver Ford Davies as Polonius.
Cast includes David Ajala (Reynaldo), Sam Alexander (Rosencrantz/Second Gravedigger), Edward Bennett (Laertes), Ricky Champ (Lucianus) Ewen Cummins (Barnardo), Robert Curtis (Francisco), Tom Davey (Guildenstern), Peter De Jersey (Horatio), Samuel Dutton (Lord), Ryan Gage (Osric), Mariah Gale (Ophelia), Mark Hadfield (Gravedigger), Jim Hooper (Priest), Keith Osborn (Marcellus), Roderick Smith (Lord and Captain), Andrea Harris (Lady), Riann Steele (Lady) and Zoe Thorne (Lady and Player) and John Woodvine (Player King).
A Midsummer Night's Dream
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Gregory Doran
Designed by Francis O'Connor
Dates: 15 January – 7 February 2009
Press Night: Tuesday 20 January, 7pm
Gregory Doran reprises his acclaimed 2005 Royal Shakespeare Theatre production of Shakespeare's best loved comedy with a reworked and recast version which marked his directorial debut in The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon this summer.
“This is the kind of production the RSC was created for...: driven by intelligence, deep feeling and a wild and sweet sense of humour; clearly and beautifully spoken, designed with daring imagination and directed with impeccable sensitivity for character, storytelling, the music of poetic speech and a sense of magic.”
Sunday Times
Cast includes: David Ajala (Cobweb) Sam Alexander (Philostrate/Fairy), Edward Bennett (Demetrius), Ricky Champ (Snout), Ewen Cummins (Snug), Robert Curtis (Theseus/Fairy), Tom Davey (Lysander), Peter de Jersey (Oberon), Joe Dixon (Bottom), Kathryn Drysdale (Hermia)Samuel Dutton (Mustardseed/Puppeteer), Mariah Gale (First Fairy /Peasblossom), Ryan Gage (Flute), Andrea Harris (Titania), Mark Hadfield (Puck) Jim Hooper (Starveling), Keith Osborn (Egeus/Fairy), Roderick Smith (Quince), Riann Steele (Hippolyta/Fairy) Zoe Thorne (Moth), Natalie Walter (Helena).
The Taming of the Shrew
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Conall Morrison
Set designed by Francis O'Connor
Costumes designed by Joan O'Clery
Dates: 12 February – 7 March 2009
Press Night: Tuesday 17 February, 7pm
Conall Morrison's iconoclastic take on one of Shakespeare's most problematic comedies sees Stephen Boxer and Michelle Gomez head the cast as the warring Petruchio and the ‘Shrew' Kate.
“This is as good a Taming as you‘ll find, richly enjoyable and discovering more in the play than you'd ever expect”
Sunday Times
Cast includes: Arsher Ali (Huntsman/Servant/Philip), Jade Anouka (Lady in Waiting/Servant/Nicholas) William Beck (Grumio), Keir Charles (Tranio), John Paul Connolly (Tailor), Simon Darwen (Haberdasher/Servant), Adrian Decosta (Huntsman/Servant/Nathaniel), Leonard Fenton (Vincentio), James Garnon (Curtis/Player), Amanda Hadingue (Lady/Widow), David Hargreaves (Baptista), Amara Karan (Bianca), Sean Kearns (Hortensio), Jack Laskey (Biondello), Patrick Moy (Lucentio), Will Sharpe (Batholomew/Joseph), Peter Shorey (Gremio/Player), Larrington Walker (Merchant).
Wilton's Music Hall
The City's hidden stage
Writers Adriano Shaplin and Marina Carr have each created a new play, cast with actors from the Stratford company. Both productions will premiere at Wilton's Music Hall.
Known in its heyday as the ‘handsomest room in town', the magnificent 19th century auditorium remains remarkably intact. Whilst the building was neglected for many years, its crumbling interior and air of faded grandeur give the theatre a unique and magical atmosphere. By bringing two exciting new plays here, the RSC continues to demonstrate its commitment to presenting work at venues across London supporting the capital's rich cultural heritage.
The Tragedy of Thomas Hobbes
By Adriano Shaplin
A New RSC Commission
Directed by Elizabeth Freestone
12 November – 6 December 2008
Press Night: Tuesday 18 November 2008, 7pm
This world premiere of award-winning playwright Adriano Shaplin's new history play is set in London in 1658. The Civil War is over, the king has been executed, Oliver Cromwell has closed the theatres and the talk in the coffee houses is of revolution. Meanwhile England's most famous philosopher is poised to do battle with a faction of young scientists.
Elizabeth Freestone will direct a cast from the ensemble of actors who have been performing in the Stratford-upon-Avon repertoire of The Taming of the Shrew and The Merchant of Venice this summer.
Cast includes Arsher Ali, William Beck, Stephen Boxer, Keir Charles, John Paul Connolly, Simon Darwen, Adrian Decosta, Leonard Fenton, James Garnon, Amanda Hadingue, Jack Laskey, Will Sharpe, Peter Shorey, Larrington Walker, Angus Wright.
Designed by Soutra Gilmour with lighting by Johanna Town.
The Cordelia Dream
By Marina Carr
A New RSC Commission
Directed by Selina Cartmell
11 December 08 – 10 January 2009
Press Night: Tuesday 16 December 2008, 7pm
Award-winning Irish playwright Marina Carr returns to London with a ferocious two-hander. A musician and his rival, a younger woman, are having a long-awaited conversation. As they spit their mutual malice with precision they question the hatred that has fuelled their desire to outdo each other in pursuit of art. With echoes of King Lear, The Cordelia Dream promises to unpick the belief that a muse must be made of love.
Cast: Michelle Gomez (Woman) and David Hargreaves (Man).
Designed by Giles Cadle, with lighting by Matthew Richardson.
Further information
For more information, please contact;
Liz Thompson
01789 412667
liz.thompson@rsc.org.uk
Nada Zakula
01789 412622
nada.zakula@rsc.org.uk
Philippa Harland
020 7845 0512
philippa.harland@rsc.org.uk
For all press ticket enquiries please contact;
Dean Asker
01789 412660
dean.asker@rsc.org.uk
Notes to Editors
The work of the RSC Literary Department is generously supported by The Drue Heinz Trust.
The RSC's New Work is generously supported by Christopher Seton Abele on behalf of the Argosy Foundation.
The RSC Ensemble is generously supported by The Gatsby Charitable Foundation and The Kovner Foundation.
Production photographs for most of the Novello season shows are available to download free of charge from the EPO by registering on www.epo-online.com
Booking details
Full Members' postal booking opens Monday 16 June
Full Members' telephone and web booking opens Wednesday 25 June
Associate Members' postal booking opens Monday 30 June
Associate Members' telephone and web booking opens Wednesday 9 July
Priority booking closes Friday 5 September
Public booking opens Friday 12 September
Novello Box Office 0844 482 5135
Wilton's Music Hall productions can be booked via RSC Ticket Hotline 0844 800 1118.
Online booking at www.rsc.org.uk
As with all RSC productions in London and Stratford-upon-Avon, £5 tickets for 16-25 year olds will be available for all the above. Details on www.rsc.org.uk/london
