Cheek By Jowl to Open 2016 Shakespeare Festival at Hamlet's Castle, Kronborg with MEASURE FOR MEASURE

In Shakespeare's 400th anniversary year, Cheek by Jowl today announce that their critically acclaimed Russian language production of Measure for Measure will open the 2016 Shakespeare Festival at Hamlet's Castle, Kronborg, Elsinore, with performances from 1 to 7 August. The festival will also celebrate a landmark anniversary, marking the 200th year of performing Shakespeare in this traditional setting.

Artistic Director Declan Donnellan said today, "We are delighted that Measure for Measure will be opening the Shakespeare Festival at Elisnore in their 200th anniversary year. Kronborg Castle provides a unique environment to perform Shakespeare in, and in year which also celebrates 400 years of Shakespeare it feels truely special to take part in the festival."

Measure for Measure has been hailed in Moscow as "a shattering portrait of contemporary Russia" (Novaya Gazeta). With his unique brew of laughter and high seriousness, Shakespeare dissects the nature of government, love, and justice - asking unsettling questions about how we are governed, exploring the "complex relationships between those in power, and ordinary citizens" (Kristina Matvienko).

A corrupt government policing a chaotic city's convents, prisons and brothels... Cheek by Jowl's Measure for Measure, through "a series of swiftly changing spectacular scenes" (Teatral) explodes as "a real thriller, piercing the heart of the entire audience"(Mir 24).

Declan Donnellan directs Alexander Arsentyev (The Duke), Alexander Feklistov (Lucio), Anna Khalilulina (Isabella), Nicholay Kislichenko (Elbow),Andrei Kuzichev (Angelo), Anastasia Lebedeva (Juliet / Francis), Sergei Lanbamin / Ivan Litvinenko (Executioner), Alexander Matrosov (Provost),Elmira Mirel (Mariana / Mistress Overdone), Alexey Rakhmanov (Pompey / Friar Peter), Yury Rumyantsev (Escalus), Peter Rykov (Claudio) and Igor Teplov (Barnardine).

Declan Donnellan directs. He is joint founder of Cheek by Jowl with Nick Ormerod. As joint Artistic Director of the company, he has directed over 30 productions. In 1989 he was made Associate Director of the Royal National Theatre in London where his productions have included Fuente Ovenjuna, Sweeney Todd, The Mandate and both parts of Angels in America. His other directing credits include for the Royal Shakespeare Company The School for Scandal, King Lear (Academy 2002) and Great Expectations; Le Cid for the Avignon Festival, Romeo and Juliet (Bolshoi Ballet, Moscow), The Winter's Tale (Maly Drama Theatre of St Petersburg). In 1999 he was invited by Valery Shadrin to form a company of actors in Moscow under the auspices of The Chekhov International Theatre Festival; this company's productions include Boris Godunov, Twelfth Night, Three Sisters and The Tempest. These productions have already been seen in 48 cities of 25 countries. He has received awards in Moscow, Paris, New York and London, including three Laurence Olivier Awards - Director of the Year (1987), Best Director of a Play (1995) and the Olivier for Outstanding Achievement (1990). He has been awarded a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his work in France. His first film was Bel Ami, co-directed with Nick Ormerod. His production of Shakespeare in Love recently played at the Noel Coward Theatre.

Cheek by Jowl was founded by Artistic Directors Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod in 1981. Since its inception, it has toured to almost 400 cities across the world, performing in English, French and Russian. Its recent production of Measure for Measure played to a sold-out theatre at its Barbican home, and their world tour of Shakespeare's Winter's Tale is currently underway.

This production is suitable for ages 16+

Performed in Russian with English subtitles

For tickets, please visit: http://www.hamletscenen.dk/uk/shakespeare-s-festival/