| Royal Shakespeare Theatre productions & plays | | |
| A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM | | | Friday 9th May to Thursday 13th November 2008 | | feast of magic, music, humour and spectacle, A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of Shakespeare's best-loved comedies. The boundaries between reality and imagination merge as the characters find themselves caught in a web of magic in the Athenian woods. This production revives Gregory Doran's hugely popular and critically acclaimed show from the 2005 Comedies Season. Joe Dixon, who played Oberon in the 2005 production, returns to the Company to take the role of Bottom. His other RSC credits include Antipholus of Syracuse in The Comedy of Errors, also part of the 2005 Comedies Season, as well as Paris in The Roman Actor (2003) and Mendoza in The Malcontent (2002). The role of Oberon will be played by Peter de Jersey, who last performed with the Company as Antiochus in Believe What You Will, Evander in A New Way To Please You and Macro in Sejanus: His Fall, all as part of the 2005 Gunpowder Season. Also returning to the Company is Mark Hadfield, who takes the role of Puck following his most recent RSC performance as Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales (2005). Mark's other theatre credits include 39 Steps for Yorkshire Playhouse and Don Juan for the Peter Hall Company, as well as his recent performance as Grivet in the National Theatre's production of Therese Raquin. Making her RSC debut as Hermia is Kathryn Drysdale. Perhaps best known for her role as Louise in BBC 2's comedy Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, she has also recently appeared in the film St Trinian's, as well as performing in Catch at the Royal Court Theatre. Matinees available. Assisted performances on 12th, 15th & 16th July. Times vary, check our calendar pages in May, June, July, August, September, October & November. (back to top) | | | to book by phone, call | | the courtyard theatre | | we also recommend... | 0844 847 2277 | | | |
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| | | | Thursday 24th July to Saturday 15th November 2008 | | Shakespeare's great tragedy of a young man haunted by his father's ghost and driven to the edge of madness in his obsession to avenge his death. David Tennant returns to the RSC to play the title role, directed by RSC Chief Associate Director Gregory Doran. David last appeared with the RSC as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet and Antipholus of Syracuse in The Comedy of Errors in 2000. As well as acting extensively on the stage, most recently in The Pillowman at the National Theatre, David has become a household name as the tenth actor to portray Dr Who. His other TV and film role include Casanova, Blackpool, Bright Young Things and Barty Crouch Jr in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This season he also appears as Berowne in Love's Labour's Lost. Patrick Stewart returns to the RSC to play Claudius. He last appeared with the Company to great acclaim during the Complete Works Festival as Antony in Antony and Cleopatra and Prospero in The Tempest. Assisted performances on 6 September, 20 September, 24 October. Matinees available. Assisted performances on 6th, 20th September & 24th October. Times vary, check our calendar pages in July, August, September, October & November. (back to top) | | | to book by phone, call | | the courtyard theatre | | we also recommend... | 0844 847 2277 | | | |
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| | | | Thursday 2nd October to Saturday 15th November 2008 | | The King of Navarre and the nobles of his court vow to study, fast, sleep little and see no ladies for three years. However, when the Princess of France and her ladies arrive in the kingdom, the Lords discover their resolve is more difficult to keep than they first imagined. Shakespeare's rarely performed, exuberant comedy explores the power of love over reason. Love's Labour's Lost is directed by RSC Chief Associate Director Gregory Doran. His most recent productions for the RSC include Coriolanus, the final production in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre prior to transformation, Merry Wives The Musical, Venus and Adonis and Antony and Cleopatra, all part of the Complete Works Festival. This season he also directs Hamlet and a reiival of A Midsummer Night's Dream. The ensemble includes David Tennant. Assisted performances on 31 October, 10 November, 15 November. Matinees available. Assisted performances on 6th October, 10th & 15th November. Times vary, check our calendar pages in October & November. (back to top) | | | to book by phone, call | | the courtyard theatre | | we also recommend... | 0844 847 2277 | | | |
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