Bowe, Gemmell And Legrand In RSC's MIDSUMMER MISCHIEF, June/July 2014

Casting is announced for the four new plays of Midsummer Mischief - a festival inspired by the original ethos and spirit of The Other Place under the leadership of Buzz Goodbody. The plays will be performed in repertoire in a purpose-built temporary studio on the current Courtyard Theatre stage in Stratford-upon-Avon from 14 June - 12 July 2014, with a press day on the 21 June before all four plays transfer to the Royal Court Theatre, Jerwood Theatre Upstairs from the 15 - 17 July 2014. The plays are presented in two programmes:

PROGRAMME A: Directed by Erica Whyman
The Ant and the Cicada by Timberlake Wertenbaker
Revolt. She said. Revolt again by Alice Birch

PROGRAMME B: Directed by Jo McInnes
I can hear you by E. V. Crowe
This is not an exit by Abi Zakarian

The productions will be cross cast. The cast includes Robert Boulter, recognised for his recurring role in Casualty and theatre credits including Herons (Royal Court) and Mercury Fur (Paines Plough). John Bowe, most well-known for his TV roles in Prime Suspect, Coronation Street and Cranford and West End roles in Priscilla Queen of the Desert andSweeney Todd. Scarlett Brookes, who appeared in TV's Blackout and No Love Lost, who made her stage debut in Caryl Churchill's Love and Information (Royal Court). Ruth Gemmell, known for playing the leading female role opposite Colin Firth in Fever Pitch and more recently in Channel 4's Utopia. Julie Legrand whose credits include roles in the West End productions of See How they Run, Fiddler on the Roof, Wicked and The Wizard of Oz, she was last at the RSC as the Nurse in the touring production of Romeo and Juliet. Mimi Ndiweni also returns to the RSC having just completed the First Encounter production of The Taming of the Shrew, which toured schools and theatres across the UK and in Ohio.

Throughout the festival in Stratford-upon-Avon, there will be a free exhibition in the foyer of The Courtyard Theatre commemorating the 40th anniversary of the opening of The Other Place. The installation will return audiences to the original spirit of The Other Place exploring Buzz Goodbody's radical work, her theatre manifesto and the reasoning behind creating a theatre in a small tin shed in 1974. There will also be a series of events running alongside the performances and exhibition:

Saturday 28 June: Making Mischief

On Saturday 28 June, people can take part in Making Mischief in Stratford-upon-Avon, a day of conversations and behind-the-scene glances at The Other Place at the Courtyard Theatre. During the morning guest speakers join the festival creative teams for panel discussions and brunch. Post show talks will take place after each performance and in the evening people can join members of the RSC band and acting company for an evening of live music and dancing.

10.45am - 11.45am: Conversation A: Gender, feminism and theatre making
Tickets: £5
A conversation with the writers and creative teams of the festival, together with invited artists including Nic Green, who will respond to the provocations laid out by the festival. Chaired by Erica Whyman. The event will start with a presentation by Nic Green about the making of her acclaimed feminist participatory performance art piece, Trilogy.

Brunch: Tickets: £5
The cafe will serve a selection of brunch food and guest speakers and audience can continue talking over coffee.

12.15pm - 1.15pm: Conversation B: Shakespeare, gender and radical thought
Tickets: £5
Professor Ewan Fernie from the Shakespeare Institute joins Erica Whyman and the panel of artists and creatives to discuss how gender relates to Shakespeare's work.

4.15pm - 4.45pm: Free Post Show talk with Creatives and Cast of Programme A

10.15pm -10.45pm: Free Post Show talk with Creatives and Cast of Programme B

10.30pm - late: Free live music event with members of the RSC band and acting company

Booking

All tickets for Programme A or Programme B in Stratford-upon-Avon and in London are £15.

£5 tickets for 16-25s are gives access to £5 tickets for all RSC productions whether we are performing in Stratford-upon-Avon, London or on tour. Tickets can be booked in advance on the phone, online or in person with some available for sale on the day of performance. The scheme is supported by Project Partner, BP.

A full schedule for Midsummer Mischief in Stratford-upon-Avon is available here:
www.rsc.org.uk/whats-on/midsummer-mischief