Little Angel Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company
THE TEMPEST
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Peter Glanville
Following their hugely successful collaboration on Shakespeare's VENUS AND ADONIS in 2004 and 2007, Little Angel Theatre and the
Royal Shakespeare Company are co-presenting THE TEMPEST for audiences aged 7 and up. This shortened version has been edited by Peter Glanville and Phil Porter.
The production opens in the newly refurbished Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from 11-26 March with its press showing on 15 March at 1.30 pm. THE TEMPEST then travels to Little Angel Theatre in Islington where it runs for five weeks from 9 April to 15 May with the London press showing on 14 April at 7 pm.
Little Angel Theatre's Artistic Director Peter Glanville directs THE TEMPEST. The puppets are created by Lyndie Wright; music by Ben Glasstone; set and costumes by Laura McEwen. The cast includes David Fielder as Prospero; Brett Brown as Sebastian/Stephano; Ruth Calkin as Trinculo/Gonzalo; Jonathan Dixon as Caliban/Alonso; Anneika Rose as Miranda; Christopher Staines as Ferdinand/Antonio and Jonathan Storey as Ariel.
On a magical island a powerful magician summons the elements to seek revenge against his brother. As in Shakespeare's story supernatural spirits lead young lovers and shipwrecked sailors on a chaotic journey around an island brought to spectacular and confusing life in this production.
Combining puppetry, live music and retaining Shakespeare's verse, the production reflects Little Angel's trademark blend of storytelling and spectacle. The performance will last one hour 15 minutes without interval and will provide an unforgettable introduction to Shakespeare for both young people and their families.
Peter Glanville has been Artistic Director of the Little Angel for five years. Most recently he led Little Angel's creation of SUSPENSE London Puppetry Festival, bringing high quality puppet theatre to adult audiences. At Little Angel his productions include THE SNOW QUEEN, JELLY BEAN JACK and, most recently,
Barb Jungr's THE FABULOUS FLUTTERBYS. He also directed the superb SKITTERBANG ISLAND puppet opera at Polka Theatre in 2010.
David Fielder has had an extensive stage career embracing everything from Shakespeare to new writing and appearing in almost every important regional theatre in the UK as well as in London. He has worked extensively with
Nancy Meckler for Shared Experience and with the
Royal Shakespeare Company in KING JOHN, ROMEO AND JULIET, AS YOU LIKE IT and RICHARD III . David previously played Prospero for the AB & C Theatre Company, touring the USA in that role in 2007.
Little Angel Theatre is "the home of British Puppetry" and one of only three building based puppet theatres in England. Established fifty years ago in 1961, this one-time temperance hall in a quiet Islington square is the centre of all activities. The 100 seat auditorium stands side by side with the workshop, where all new productions are lovingly created. After 50 years of providing high quality puppet theatre aimed at young people, Little Angel has extended its range to exciting work for adults running alongside the more traditional fare and welcomes puppetry companies from all over the UK and overseas to perform on its stage.
Gregory Doran, Chief Associate Director of the RSC, says "I first collaborated with Little Angel on our RSC co-production of Shakespeare's narrative poem VENUS AND ADONIS in 2004 (revived 2007). Since then we have developed elements of puppetry in all sorts of RSC productions. I am delighted that we are going to be able to collaborate on this production of THE TEMPEST, directed by Peter Glanville, which we workshopped in Stratford. I know a very special imagination will be applied to this most magical of plays and I can't wait to see the results."
Says Peter Glanville of THE TEMPEST "the fantastical nature of this play is a gift to the imagination and the possibilities of puppetry. I look forward to casting our own ‘rough magic' at both the Swan Theatre and Little Angel."
Further information on THE TEMPEST from www.littleangeltheatre.com and :
LONDON LISTINGS
The Venue
Little Angel Theatre
14 Dagmar Passage
London N1 2DN
Performance Times and Dates
PERFORMANCE TIMES VARY, particularly around Easter - please check website for details.
Performances most Wednesdays/Thursdays (10 am & 1 pm; 11 am & 2 pm in school holidays)
Saturdays & Sundays: 3 pm & 7 pm.
Extra Performances Tuesday 19 April 11 am & 2 pm (not Easter Sunday)
Tickets
£12/£10 concessions and children
Friday Fives: all tickets £5 at Friday 5 pm shows.
School Groups: £6 with one free adult ticket for each ten children.
Box Office
020 7226 1787
You can book online at www.littleangeltheatre.com
