Shakespeare North Playhouse
Richard III (ish)
Shakespeare North PlayhouseCovering the second longest Shakespearean play in a family friendly way, in under an hour, and with just one person performing all the parts is bordering on absurd. But only bordering, because Cream-Faced Loons proved that not only can this be done, it can be done brilliantly. The premise of the show is that the Cream-Faced Loons are due to perform an extravagant version of Richard III (even acrobats were mentioned at one point!
Richard, My Richard
Shakespeare North PlayhouseRichard III is one of the most infamous Kings of England. Known as a tyrant, a usurper, and portrayed by Shakespeare as a hunchback, Richard III is often synonymous with the murder of his nephews, The Princes in the Tower. But what if everything that you think you know about Richard III isn’t actually true? With history written by the victors, what if Richard was actually a loyal brother, a loving husband and a victim of the historical record being incorrect?
Pride and Prejudice
Shakespeare North PlayhouseImaginarium Theatre are a community arts organisation who deliver educational programmes, schools outreach and free youth theatre classes across the Merseyside region. Every year, their Community Ensemble stage a production in The Cockpit Theatre at Shakespeare North Playhouse. This year’s production was a modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice by playwright Rob Brannen. The basics of the story remain unchanged; Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy meet and overcome their initial dislike for one another to eventually fall in love after putting their individual preconceptions aside.
First Folio Talk by Ben Crystal
Shakespeare North PlayhouseAs part of the First Folio exhibition currently on at Shakespeare North Playhouse, Associate Artist Ben Crystal has delivered an absolutely fascinating insight into how the First Folio was made, and what makes the First Folio such an important piece of both literature and history. During the Lights On / Lights Off shows which Ben directed and performed in, he gave brief background details into each of the excerpts of the plays which we both really enjoyed.
First Folio Exhibition
Shakespeare North Playhouse400 years ago, just 7 years after Shakespeare’s death, the First Folio containing 36 of Shakespeare’s plays was published. Now, to coincide with the European premiere of ‘The Book of Will’, Shakespeare North Playhouse have an exhibition all about the First Folio, which includes an actual copy of the First Folio which is on loan from The British Library. Forming part of The British Library’s Treasures on Tour programme, the First Folio on display is The Grenville First Folio which was bequeathed to the library by Thomas Grenville in 1846.
The Book of Will
Shakespeare North PlayhouseAs part of the celebration of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio, Shakespeare North Playhouse are staging Lauren Gunderson’s The Book of Will. Telling the tale of how the First Folio came to be, and how so many of Shakespeare’s plays only survive due to the efforts of those who knew him best, The Book of Will is a fantastic co-production with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Octagon Theatre Bolton.
Macbeth
Shakespeare North PlayhouseCo-produced by English Touring Theatre, Northern Stage, Shakespeare North Playhouse and Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, this contemporary production of Shakespeare’s classic Macbeth is not only unafraid to provocatively subvert the genre of the play, but to also rearrange the scenes to create a powerful stage show that mirrors the political landscape of modern Britain. This fresh perspective of is a commendable modernisation, which director Richard Twyman has ensured still honours the Scottish roots of the original play.
Improvised Rubbish Shakespeare
Shakespeare North PlayhouseImprovised Rubbish Shakespeare isn’t quite as the name suggests. Yes, there is improvisation with a Shakespearean twist, but this is far from rubbish. The Rubbish Shakespeare Company have created an engaging format that is a creative introduction to the language and style of Shakespeare, whilst also being an hilarious comedy. The premise of the show is William Shakespeare has failed to turn up for a performance meaning the cast have no scripts.
Midsummer Mechanicals
Shakespeare North PlayhouseThe Olivier Award nominated Midsummer Mechanicals is back for Summer 2023 at The Globe, but before opening in London the show has completed a very limited run at Shakespeare North Playhouse. Set one year after the mechanicals performed Pyramus and Thisbe, Nick Bottom (Kerry Frampton) and Peter Quince (Jamal Frankin) are trying to get the group back together to perform a new show. Unfortunately, the script isn’t complete, Francis Flute (Sam Glen) has gone through puberty which poses a problem for him to play the female roles, and Tom Snout isn’t available so his wife Patience (Melody Brown) has decided to take his place, but as a female she legally can’t perform.