Director of Design Stephen Brimson-Lewis has over twenty years of experience designing for the RSC. Stephen takes us through the collaborative process of designing Measure for Measure.
'Measure still for measure': justice is still a tricky concept. Gregory Doran's insightful realisation of Shakespeare's notorious 'problem play' highlights Measure for Measure's enduring, perhaps even increasing, relevance.
Later this year, the three Shakespeare productions from the Royal Shakespeare Company's (RSC) Summer 2019 Stratford season transfer to the Barbican from 26 October 2019. The Company features 27 actors, who each appear across two of the three productions:
For the first time the Royal Shakespeare Company will tour three productions in repertoire to six regional theatres, playing for two weeks in each venue. As You Like It, The Taming of the Shrew and Measure for Measure will visit Salford in September 2019, and then Canterbury, Plymouth, Nottingham, Newcastle upon Tyne and Blackpool in early 2020. Performance dates at the end of the release.
The collaborative, cross-cast company is announced for the Royal Shakespeare Company's (RSC) productions of As You Like It, The Taming of the Shrew and Measure for Measure, playing in a newly reconfigured Royal Shakespeare Theatre next summer. All three productions will then tour in repertoire for the first time to six regional theatres in 2019 and 2020. The actors will each appear in two of the three plays performed as part of the Summer 2019 repertoire. Design for all three productions is by Stephen Brimson Lewis, Director of Design for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Sandy Grierson returns to the London stage in othellomacbeth, taking on the roles of Cassio and Macbeth in one show. No stranger to doubling, Grierson previously played the roles of Faustus and Mephistopheles in the Royal Shakespeare Company's acclaimed production of Doctor Faustus in 2016, the parts decided with the lighting of matches.
Taking us through his thoughts on and experience with Shakespeare, Grierson shares Jude Christian's vision of the two plays and just why they chose (and to an extent needed) to 'f*** with them a bit'.
'But men are men...'
Gender is taking centre stage in the current climate, telling her story not history. From new writes like SIX and The Old Vic's Sylvia, to the reframing of classics from a female perspective, the Liverpool Everyman's female led Othello and the Globe's Imogen prove the relevance of these texts to modern audiences.
Elayce Ismail and Jude Christian's othellomacbeth is a hybrid of these: retelling two of Shakespeare's greatest plays, with the emphasis on the women and new additions. While bold it may be, the result is a mixed bag of 'confused events, new hatch'd to [this] woeful time'.
Casting is today announced for the Lyric Hammersmith and HOME's production of othellomacbeth, which runs 14-29 September at HOME in Manchester and 05 October - 03 November at the Lyric Hammersmith.
London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a new theatrical epic to Shakespeare and musical spoof, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld reviews, interviews and features!
Paul Bentall, Sandy Grierson, Helena Lymbery, Sophia Di Martino, Siobhan McSweeney, Francesca Mills, Abraham Popoola, Paul G Raymond and Dorian Simpson have been cast in the world premiere of Pity, by Rory Mullarkey. It is directed by Royal Court Associate Director (International) Sam Pritchard and will feature members of Fulham Brass Band.
Swedish director Maria Aberg came to the UK to study at Mountview aged 20. She's since become a bold force in British theatre, with work ranging from Hotel at the National Theatre and Wildefire at the Hampstead to numerous productions for the RSC. Her most recent, Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, features lead actors Sandy Grierson and Oliver Ryan sharing the roles of Faustus and Mephistopheles, deciding on the night who plays which by striking matches. The production transfers to the Barbican next month as part of the RSC's London Season.
The National Theatre of Scotland is celebrating 10 years of presenting acclaimed theatre at the Edinburgh Festivals. This year the Company brings the world premiere of ANYTHING THAT GIVES OFF LIGHT in a co-production with the Edinburgh International Festival and the TEAM, and two acclaimed music filled dramas about refugees and migration to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, as part of the Made in Scotland Showcase, both at the Assembly Hall; GLASGOW GIRLS, in a co-production with Pachamama Productions, Regular Music and Theatre Royal Stratford East, and LAST DREAM (ON EARTH), presented by Kai Fischer.
With a brand new youth theatre, three festivals, four major premieres, and (almost) 100 shows from some of the most inspiring contemporary theatre makers in the UK, Spring at CPT guarantees to cater for all your theatrical desires…
If there had ever been any doubts over the calibre of work for children and young people produced in Scotland, the 2014 CATS shortlists released today, Thursday 8 May 2014, would immediately dispel them. Two productions created specifically with a younger audience in mind - Dragon (Vox Motus, National Theatre of Scotland and the Tianjin People's Art Theatre, China) and Huff (Shona Reppe and Andy Manley, produced by Catherine Wheels Theatre Company) - have together received eight nominations across six categories including the highest accolade, Best Production.
THE ARABIAN NIGHTS written by Mary Zimmerman and Directed by Lu Kemp, adapted from the Book of The Thousand Nights and One Night, is now showing at the Tricycle Theatre, from 30 November to 12 January. Check out photos from the production inside!
Following the critically acclaimed Red Velvet, Indhu Rubasingham continues her inaugural season as Artistic Director of the Tricycle Theatre with a new production of THE ARABIAN NIGHTS. Check out rehearsal images from the production inside!
Following the critically acclaimed Red Velvet, Indhu Rubasingham continues her inaugural season as Artistic Director of the Tricycle Theatre with a new production of The Arabian Nights. Indhu said "Our new production of The Arabian Nights will be the first festive show at the Tricycle. It is the second production in my first season, and I am so excited that it's directed by Lu Kemp who has brought together a wonderful ensemble cast. This version promises to offer something different for young people as well as adults. It will be very cool with magical moments and superb story telling which will be humorous, dark and engaging. New music composed by the fantastic indie band Take It Easy Hospital will also add an extra edge and bring originality to this modern interpretation".
This summer the Almeida Theatre annual festival hosts two innovative theatre companies whose work will encourage audiences to see the building in a new light. Over four weeks (6 - 31 July) the Almeida will present the unexpected as the theatre not only plays host to acclaimed companies but also puts the work of its Young Friends company centre-stage. In addition there will be an interactive installation, a photographic exhibition, panel discussions, workshops and a Street Party. The Festival will enable audiences to hear new and diverse theatre voices, bringing a fresh perspective to the Almeida's work.
This summer the Almeida Theatre annual festival hosts two innovative theatre companies whose work will encourage audiences to see the building in a new light.