Shakespeare's Globe News

Chesapeake Shakespeare Theatre Moves into downtown Baltimore.

Rediscovered by Finborough Theatre Artistic Director Neil McPherson, Rachel is a genuinely lost landmark of American theatre -- the first play by an African American woman ever produced professionally. Directed by exciting young director Ola Ince, as part of Black History Month, the European premiere of Rachel opens at the multi award-winning Finborough Theatre for a four week limited season tonight, 30 September 2014 (Press Night: Thursday, 2 October at 7.30pm).

NYU Skirball presents Shakespeare's Globe's acclaimed production of William Shakespeare's KING LEAR. Directed by Bill Buckhurst and starring Joseph Marcell in the title role, KING LEAR begins performances at NYU Skirball (566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square, New York, NY, 10012) tonight, September 30, 2014, with opening night set for Wednesday, October 1, 2014, and running through Sunday, October 12, 2014.

Katie Brayben will play the title role in the West End production of Beautiful - The Carole King Musicalopening at the Aldwych Theatre in February next year. Alan Morrissey will play King's husband and song-writing partner Gerry Goffin, with Lorna Want as song-writer Cynthia Weil, Glynis Barber as Genie Klein, King's mother, and Gary Trainor as music publisher and producer Don Kirshner. London previews beginning on 10 February 2015 and with the show currently booking to 13 June 2015. Press night will now take place on 24 February at 7pm. Final casting will be announced shortly.

Marcell, a Shakespearean best known for an American sitcom, has the title role in the Globe production now touring the U.S.

Annenberg Center Live kicks off its fall season with the U.S. tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Company's King Lear. Direct from London, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre presents a faithful restaging of King Lear that's filled with tempestuous poetry, touches of humor and moments of heart-rending simplicity. This production of what is considered Shakespeare's greatest tragedy features stage and screen actor Joseph Marcell, known for his role as Geoffrey in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The show runs today, September 24-27 at the Annenberg Center at 3680 Walnut Street.

The 14/15 Season at Syracuse Stage starts tonight, September 24, with Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play. In this 'ripped and roaring' comedy by Christopher Durang, Sonia and Vanya have frittered their lives away in the family farmhouse. Enter their sister, self-absorbed movie star Masha with her 20-something boy toy Spike, and a dysfunctional family's reunion turns into a weekend of hilarity.

Folger Theatre launches its 2014/15 season in Rome with William Shakespeare's enduring political tragedy, Julius Caesar from October 28 - December 7, 2014. Robert Richmond (Richard III and Henry V at Folger) directs the epic portrait of the battle between ambition and honor, conspiracy and loyalty, leading an outstanding ensemble including Anthony Cochrane (Broadway's War Horse and Folger's Henry VIII) as the honorable Marcus Brutus, and Maurice Jones, making his Folger Theatre debut as Caesar's closest ally, Mark Antony.

Making its Off-Broadway debut at The New Victory Theater from November 1 - November 9, Isango Ensemble's Young Vic production of The Magic Flute: Impempe Yomlingo reimagines Mozart's masterpiece opera with a South African context. Featuring township percussion, an orchestra of marimbas and a cast of more than thirty vibrant voices from the townships surrounding Cape Town, and winner of the 2008 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and a Globes de Cristal for Best Opera, this Magic Flute dazzles with drama, comedy and the sublime joy of finding true love.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) continues the dynamic World's Stage Series with the U.S. debut of Theatre de la Ville's Ionesco Suite from Paris, France. Directed by Emmanuel Demarcy-Mota, this absurdist masterpiece celebrates the work of maverick avant-garde playwright Eugene Ionesco with a whirlwind montage encapsulating seven of his plays, brimming with wicked humor and hard-hitting themes. Ionesco Suite will be performed in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, October 15-October 19, 2014.

Following the internationally acclaimed production with sold-out engagements on Broadway and in London's West End, television legend, Oscar recipient and five-time Tony Award-winner Angela Lansbury returns to the stage in Noel Coward's smash-hit comedic play 'Blithe Spirit' in an exciting North American tour to be launched at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre.

Annenberg Center Live kicks off its fall season with the U.S. tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Company's King Lear. Direct from London, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre presents a faithful restaging of King Lear that's filled with tempestuous poetry, touches of humor and moments of heart-rending simplicity. This production of what is considered Shakespeare's greatest tragedy features stage and screen actor Joseph Marcell, known for his role as Geoffrey in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The show runs September 24-27 at the Annenberg Center at 3680 Walnut Street. Tickets cost $20-$65 and are available online at Annenbergcenter.org, at the Box Office, or by phone at 215.898.3900.

Sunny Afternoon, the critically acclaimed new musical which tells the story of the early life of Ray Davies and the rise to stardom of The Kinks, has extended its run until 31 January 2015. The show begins previews at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 4 October 2014.

In the wake of recession, the internationally renowned Belarus Free Theatre presents an urgent new exploration of how theatre has depicted money throughout the ages; from ancient Greece, through the Elizabethan golden-age to today's fractured economy.

Lovers of Shakespeare are in for a real treat when Shakespeare's Globe Theatre brings its all-male Original Practices production of Twelfth Night to local cinemas beginning September 22. Starring award-winning actors Mark Rylance as Olivia and Stephen Fry as Malvolio, the film gives audiences an exclusive opportunity to see this unique performance from the Globe Theatre in London. It is also a chance to see the kind of production that would have been presented in Shakespeare's day, down to the style of the music, dance, costumes, and scenery.

Folger Theatre continues its relationship with Shakespeare's Globe in London with the touring production of KING LEAR, continuing in D.C. for a limited engagement through September 21. Directed by Bill Buckhurst, the acclaimed production has toured for months in the UK, Europe, and Asia. The Folger will be its debut here in the States. Check out a first look at the production below!

Shakespeare at Notre Dame and Actors From The London Stage (AFTLS) will present William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing on September 17, 18, and 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Notre Dame's Washington Hall.

Lucy Punch will play the leading role of Paige Britain in the West End transfer of Richard Bean's new play,Great Britain. Directed by Nicholas Hytner, the National Theatre's sell out production transfers to theTheatre Royal Haymarket tonight 9 September 2014 with opening night on 26 September at 7pm.

With the conclusion of the Toronto International Film Festival, Academy Awards buzz has already begun, this time surrounding Eddie Redmayne.

Tooting Arts Club presents: Sweeney Todd. London's oldest pie and mash shop hosts an intimate staging of Sondheim's most famous musical, directed by Bill Buckhurst with musical director Ben Cox. Sweeney Todd features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler. Performances take place at Harrington's Pie and Mash Shop, Tooting, 21st October to 29th November.