FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR RSC NATIONAL TOUR OF HAMLET
TOUR OPENS IN SALFORD, BEFORE VISITING PLYMOUTH, HULL, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE AND NORTHAMPTON, JANUARY - MARCH 2018
PRODUCTION THEN RUNS AT HACKNEY EMPIRE BETWEEN 6 AND 31 MARCH 2018
NATIONAL PRESS NIGHT: TUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2018 AT THE LOWRY, SALFORD
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) will tour its acclaimed production of Hamlet, originally seen in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2016, to Salford, Plymouth, Hull, Newcastle upon Tyne and Northampton between January and March 2018, before transferring to London’s Hackney Empire between 6 and 31 March 2018.
“A landmark production” Financial Times
“Simply a terrific Hamlet, a blazing new star standing at the heart of an intelligent and engrossing production” The Sunday Times
Directed by Simon Godwin, the production will see RSC Associate Artist Paapa Essiedu reprise his award-winning performance in the title role as one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragic heroes.
Joining Paapa in the cast are Romayne Andrews (Rosencrantz), Lorna Brown (Gertrude), James Cooney (Horatio), Patrick Elue (Fortinbras), Kevin N Golding (Player King), Tracy-Anne Green (Player), Maureen Hibbert (Player Queen), Whitney Kehinde (Cornelia), Byron Mondahl (Professor of Wittenberg), Joseph Mydell (Polonius), Mimi Ndiweni (Ophelia), Esther Niles (Osric), John Omole (Voltemand), Clarence Smith (Claudius), Buom Tihngang (Laertes), Ewart James Walters (Ghost) and Eleanor Wyld (Guildenstern).
RSC Executive Director, Catherine Mallyon, said: “We are passionate about taking the productions we make in our home in Stratford-upon-Avon to theatres across the UK. In 2018 we are glad that many people across the country will have the opportunity to see our work at their local theatre. As well as Hamlet, our acclaimed production of Matilda The Musical will also embark on its first UK and Ireland tour, and our First Encounters with Shakespeare production of Julius Caesar will visit schools and theatres between January -March.”
Paapa Essiedu won Best Performance in a Play at the UK Theatre Awards in 2016 for his role as Hamlet. Paapa’s other RSC credits include Edmund in King Lear, Fenton in The Merry Wives of Windsor, and The Mouse and his Child. Additional theatre credits include King Lear (National Theatre) and Romeo and Juliet (Tobacco Factory). He played Demetrius in Russell T Davies’ adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream for BBC1 (2016), and appeared in Kenneth Branagh’s 2017 film adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express. Paapa will shortly be seen on TV in The Miniaturist and Mike Bartlett’s Press (both BBC 1) and Jack Thorne’s Kiri (Channel 4).
See Paapa talking about the role: https://youtu.be/762waHrlqJM
Simon Godwin’s work as a director includes The Two Gentlemen of Verona (RSC), Richard II (Shakespeare’s Globe), Twelfth Night, Man and Superman, The Beaux’ Stratagem and Strange Interlude (National Theatre). He is Associate Director at the National Theatre, and was Associate Director at Northampton Royal & Derngate between 2001-04.
Simon Godwin said: “I’m delighted that Hamlet will be touring in 2018. Paapa Essiedu is British with Ghanaian heritage. When Paapa and I talked about the production, I realised how radical it might be to see Denmark through the lens of a completely different culture, a culture that Paapa himself had experienced. I began to imagine a Denmark re-conceived as a modern state influenced by the ritual, traditions and beauty of Ghana. So, our setting is full of the colour, emotional intensity and passion associated with that part of the world.
“As Hamlet, Paapa is intelligent, youthful and charismatic, with a contemporary wit. But Paapa’s portrayal is also mercurial with an element of danger.
“Part ghost story, part family tragedy, part dark comedy, Hamlet is an urgent and gripping thriller. I can’t wait to see how audiences respond to it around the country.”
Watch a clip from the production in 2016: https://youtu.be/--tWffBTyqM
Hamlet is directed by Simon Godwin and designed by Paul Wills with lighting by Paul Anderson. Music for the production is composed by Jamiroquai percussionist Sola Akingbola. Music Associate is Jon Nicholls. Sound is by Christopher Shutt. Movement by Mbulelo Ndabeni. Fights by Kev McCurdy.
For further information please contact:
Dean Asker, RSC Press Office
01789 412660 / dean.asker@rsc.org.uk
#RSCHamletTour
Notes to editors
Hamlet performance dates
National press night: Tuesday 30 January 2018 at The Lowry, Salford
The Lowry, Salford
26 January – 3 February 2018
Box Office: 0843 208 6000
www.thelowry.com
Theatre Royal Plymouth
6 – 10 February 2018
Box Office: 01752 267222
www.theatreroyal.com
Hull New Theatre
13-17 February 2018
Box office: 01482 300306
www.hulltheatres.co.uk
Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne
20 – 24 February 2018
Box Office: 0191 230 5151
www.northernstage.co.uk
Royal & Derngate, Northampton
27 February – 3 March 2018
Box Office: 01604 624811
www.royalandderngate.co.uk
Hackney Empire
6 – 31 March 2018
Box Office: 020 8985 2424
www.hackneyempire.co.uk
Notes to editors
The RSC Acting Companies are generously supported by THE GATSBY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION and THE KOVNER FOUNDATION
The Royal Shakespeare Company creates theatre at its best, made in Stratford-upon-Avon and shared around the world. We produce an inspirational artistic programme each year, setting Shakespeare in context, alongside the work of his contemporaries and today’s writers.
Everyone at the RSC - from actors to armourers, musicians to technicians - plays a part in creating the world you see on stage. All our productions begin life at our Stratford workshops and theatres and we bring them to the widest possible audience through our touring, residencies, live broadcasts and online activity. So wherever you experience the RSC, you experience work made in Shakespeare’s home town.
We have trained generations of the very best theatre makers and we continue to nurture the talent of the future. We encourage everyone to enjoy a lifelong relationship with Shakespeare and live theatre. We reach 530,000 children and young people annually through our education work, transforming their experiences in the classroom, in performance and online. Registered charity no. 212481 www.rsc.org.uk.