SUPPORTERS NEWS 2 SEPTEMBER MARCH 2017 DOCTOR FAUSTUS CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE THE ALCHEMIST BEN JONSON KING LEAR CYMBELINE WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

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1 SUPPORTERS NEWS APRIL SEPTEMBER MARCH 2017 DIRECT FROM STRATFORD-UPON-AVON AT THE BARBICAN THE ALCHEMIST BEN JONSON CYMBELINE WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE DOCTOR FAUSTUS CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE KING LEAR WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE LOVE S LABOUR S LOST WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE AT THE THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (OR LOVE S LABOUR S WON) WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE ARTISTS CIRCLE ONLINE and PHONE booking opens 20 April 2016 TELEPHONE GOLD PATRONS ONLINE and PHONE booking opens 20 April 2016 TELEPHONE SILVER PATRONS ONLINE and PHONE booking opens 20 April 2016 TELEPHONE PUBLIC SHAKESPEARE BOOKING OPENS CIRCLE WEDNESDAY 18 ONLINE MARCH 2015 and PHONE booking opens 20 April 2016 TELEPHONE

2 BARBICAN THEATRE, LONDON LONDON S DIRECT FROM STRATFORD-UPON-AVON BARBICAN THEATRE, LONDON 2 SEPTEMBER 23 DECEMBER 2016 During the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death and following the acclaimed King & Country: Shakespeare's Great Cycle of Kings season which ran in London in January, we will transfer two plays from the Swan Theatre and two from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre summer season to the Barbican in London. ALSO PLAYING MAY A MIDSUMMER NIGHT S DREAM: A PLAY FOR THE NATION WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE 2 SEPTEMBER - 1 OCTOBER 7 SEPTEMBER - 1 OCTOBER DAILY TELEGRAPH TIMES WHATSONSTAGE STAGE JOYOUS TIMES BLISSFULLY FUNNY GUARDIAN With amateurs from Tower Theatre joining the professional cast as the Rude Mechanicals, and pupils from Eastbury Community School and Bean County Primary School in Barking and Dagenham playing Titania s fairy train. Photo by Topher McGrillis THE ALCHEMIST BEN JONSON Miguel Angel Munoz/Arcangel DOCTOR FAUSTUS CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE Photo by Helen Maybanks An opportunity to see the work of one of Shakespeare s finest contemporaries. Ben Jonson s hilarious satire, revels in just how vain we humans can be, and still resonates gloriously today. Directed by Polly Findlay (The Merchant of Venice 2015, Arden of Faversham 2014), the greedy trio of con-artists, Face, Subtle and Doll Common, are played by Ken Nwosu, Mark Lockyer and Siobhán McSweeney. Maria Aberg (The White Devil 2014, As You Like It 2013) returns to the RSC to direct Christopher Marlowe s notorious tale of vanity, greed and damnation. The roles of the embittered academic Faustus and the demon Mephistophilis are shared by Sandy Grierson (The Tempest, Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors 2012) and Oliver Ryan (As You Like It, Hamlet 2013) with the decision as to who plays which role, made live on stage each night.

3 EASON SUPPORTER EVENTS AT THE BARBICAN DOCTOR FAUSTUS 23 SEPTEMBER BARBICAN SUNKEN BAR 6.30PM Join us for pre-show drinks. Tickets are on a first come first served basis and booked through Kate Perry at invitation@rsc.org.uk Tel AUTUMN/WINTER PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT No Perf F No Perf No Perf F P 7.00 P NOVEMBER DECEMBER L L MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT TICKET PRICES THE ALCHEMIST/DOCTOR FAUSTUS ALL PERFORMANCES SEPTEMBER OCTOBER A LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATS ARE AVAILABLE AT OCTOBER - 22 DECEMBER 10 NOVEMBER - 23 DECEMBER CYMBELINE WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE is Shakespeare s coming of age romance. A story of power, sexuality and identity - stunningly retold for the 21st century. Directed by Melly Still (The Cunning Little Vixen, Glyndebourne Opera, Coram Boy, National Theatre), Shakespeare s rarely performed tragicomedy casts Gillian Bevan in the role of, the first woman to take on the role for the RSC and Bethan Cullinane, as Innogen. Peter Johnston/Arcangel KING LEAR WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE This new production of the seminal play about the proud and ageing king is directed by Artistic Director Gregory Doran. Following his performance as Willy Loman in Arthur Miller s great 20th century tragedy Death of a Salesman (2015), Antony Sher returns to the RSC to play, one of the greatest parts written by Shakespeare. This promises to be unmissable theatre Media Partner Photo by Paul Stuart OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT F 7.00 P No Perf No Perf No Perf F P TICKET PRICES CYMBELINE/KING LEAR L L No Perf MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT ALL PERFORMANCES A LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATS ARE AVAILABLE AT 75 KEY F = First Performance P = Press Night L = Last Performance = Audio Described Performance = Captioned Performance = Pre-or Post-Show on stage event BOOK FOR 2 OR MORE PRODUCTIONS FOR THE BARBICAN THEATRE AND SAVE UP TO 20%* Book 2 shows from,, and and save 10%. Book 3 or more shows and save 20% To book please call your Ticket Hotline. For more information visit *Terms and conditions apply. Tickets must be purchased in a single transaction. Offer does not include A Midsummer Night s Dream. Not available online. NOVEMBER DECEMBER

4 THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET, LONDON Following their original staging last Winter in Stratford-upon-Avon and their revival this Autumn at Chichester Festival Theatre, these glorious productions of Christopher Luscombe s heart-warming double bill Love s Labour s Lost and About Nothing ( Labour's Won) will transfer to the Theatre Royal, Haymarket for a limited West End season. Summer In order to dedicate themselves to a life of study, the King and his friends take an oath to avoid the company of women for three years. No sooner have they made their idealistic pledge than the Princess of France and her ladies-in-waiting arrive, presenting the men with a severe test of their high-minded resolve. Shakespeare s sparkling comedy delights in championing and then unravelling an unrealistic vow, and mischievously suggesting that the study of the opposite sex is in fact the highest of all academic endeavours. Only at the end of the play is the merriment curtailed as the lovers agree to submit to a period apart, unaware that the world around them is about to be utterly transformed by the war to end all wars. Winter A group of soldiers return from the trenches. The world-weary Benedick and his friend Claudio find themselves reacquainted with Beatrice and Hero. As memories of conflict give way to a life of parties and masked balls, Claudio and Hero fall madly, deeply in love, while Benedick and Beatrice reignite their own altogether more combative courtship. Shakespeare s comic romance plays out amidst the brittle high spirits of a post-war house party, as youthful passions run riot, lovers are deceived and happiness is threatened before peace ultimately wins out. Christopher Luscombe directs Shakespeare s matching pair of comedies that rejoice in our capacity to find love in the most unlikely places. Edward Bennett reprises his critically acclaimed performances as Berowne and Benedick. For details of Chichester Festival Theatre performances please visit

5 9 DECEMBER MARCH 2017 Photos of original Stratford-upon-Avon cast by Manuel Harlan BLISSFULLY ENTERTAINING... MAGNIFICENT DAILY TELEGRAPH SUPPORTER EVENT THESE PRODUCTIONS ARE A JOY SUNDAY TIMES A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN DAILY MAIL LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST 20 JANUARY 2017 RECEPTION AREA 6.30PM Join us for pre-show drinks. Tickets are on a first come first served basis and booked through Kate Perry at invitation@rsc.org.uk Tel CHRISTOPHER LUSCOMBE S PRODUCTIONS ARE SPARKLINGLY FUNNY TIMES SIMON HIGLETT S DAZZLING SET... A GLORIOUS SCORE BY NIGEL HESS TIMES QUITE SIMPLY THE BEST PLAYS YOU LL SEE ANYWHERE SUNDAY MIRROR PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE DECEMBER 2016 JANUARY 2017 FEBRUARY 2017 MARCH 2017 MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT No Perf No Perf No Perf No Perf F F 2.00 P 7.00 P No Perf L L MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT TICKET PRICES PREMIUM A B C D E F MON TO SAT REDUCED PRICE PREVIEWS A limited number of discounts, including Over 60s and Family tickets, are available exclusively to Members and Supporters during the Priority Booking period. KEY F = First Performance P = Press Night L = Last Performance = Reduced Price Preview ABBREVIATIONS = About Nothing (or Labour's Won) = Labour's Lost DECEMBER 2016 JANUARY 2017 FEBRUARY 2017 MARCH 2017

6 THE OTHER PLACE - ERICA WHYMAN We are excited to welcome you all to our new building, The Other Place, which is now open for business. When you enter the building you will see people using the public foyers who are busy creating theatre in our energetic, multi-purpose space. Primarily, The Other Place is a rehearsal and development space. We have three rehearsal rooms which we will use all year round, and a flexible studio theatre. We will rehearse all our Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Swan Theatre shows here. The actors will be geographically closer to the theatres, our creative teams and visiting artists. The Studio Theatre, for an audience of up to 200, is a simple design. A dark box, which equally will work well with scenery, installations and a range of seating layouts. It will be a very flexible space to make theatre. The Studio Theatre at The Other Place is a festival theatre for new voices, not a year-round performance space. We will announce our first festival in your next newsletter for performances in July and August. The festival will have an adventurous spirit. The spirit of Midsummer Mischief in A daring spirit. The spirit The Other Place has had in Stratford for the last 40 years s festival will respond to the provocation what is unsayable in the 21st century, and why?. It will look at who controls the narrative in the media and on our stages. It will have a political and social conscience. It will mirror some of the emotional and political themes, the difficult territory, in Shakespeare s Hamlet, and. Photos by Stuart Hemley

7 Photo by Simon Harper UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM We have a five-year collaboration with the University of Birmingham, who are founding partners of The Other Place. We will work with undergraduates, graduates and senior academics by providing a creative space for research and contemporary thinking about theatre. They will spend time in our building, working closely with professional theatre-makers. FROM PAGE TO STAGE AND COSTUME HIRE If you have ever wondered what happens behind the closed doors of the rehearsal room, The Other Place will offer you an insight. A new guided theatre tour will lead you through the rehearsal process from first artistic conversations to opening night, and show you some of the spaces utilised. You will see the Studio Theatre, glimpse into the rehearsal spaces and learn the directors and actors processes to get the words off the page of the printed text and onto our stages for public performance. In rehearsals, costumes are used to help give actors a sense of their character and the tour ends in Costume Hire. Having outgrown the current storage at Timothy s Bridge Road (an industrial estate in the north of Stratford-upon-Avon), 30,000 costumes are being moved to purpose-built storage at The Other Place. When a production ends, all appropriate costumes find their way to Costume Hire and as well as being used in RSC rehearsals and productions, we hire to Film and TV companies, other theatres, schools and the general public. This will be the first time the public has had the chance to see the costumes for themselves, and you never know, it might just give the perfect excuse to dress up! SUSIE S CAFE BAR When you enter the foyer of The Other Place you will see our new cafe bar. Named for the Deputy Chairman of the RSC Board, and generous and dedicated supporter of The Other Place, Susie Sainsbury, it is an informal and relaxed cafe during the day and a vibrant bar in the evening. Open Monday to Saturday from 10am, there is comfortable furniture where you can relax with a fair trade beverage and a slice of freshly baked cake. Alternatively, the booths, with free wi-fi, will be the ideal space for lunch or for some creative thinking. In the foyer you can also learn the story of The Other Place: from Buzz Goodbody s vision in 1974 through the revolutionary productions in the 1970s and 80s to the plans for 2016 and beyond. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Each year the RSC works with around 60 theatre makers to develop new scripts or ideas or to experiment in design, lighting and other technical techniques. Previously this has mainly happened in London, but with the facilities in The Other Place we can welcome this work to our Stratford-upon-Avon home and the creative engine of the RSC. COMMUNITY USE AND PUBLIC HIRE A wide range of spaces around The Other Place are available to community use and public hire. King Edward VI School were our first guests, performing in the Studio Theatre in March, as part of our building testing process. We will host amateur theatre productions throughout the year and enhance our current family programme with activities not currently provided by our events team for example, weekly Baby Ballet classes start in the spring. PARTIES AND WEDDINGS As well as hiring our spaces for theatrical productions, we would like to help add theatrical flair to your next party. Whether it is a birthday celebration, a wedding reception or a product launch we have technical staff on hand to ensure all goes smoothly and that your guests are fed and watered to our renowned high standards. The Other Place is a thrilling addition to our campus in Stratford, with many memories of the past and exciting opportunities for the future. We hope you will join us there soon. ERICA WHYMAN RSC DEPUTY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SUPPORTER EVENT TOP TOURS FOR SUPPORTERS Joins us for a Supporter Tour of TOP on Saturday 23 April at 11am or 4.15pm. Spaces are very limited and the cost is 8.50 please contact Rosie Kew at supporter@rsc.org.uk or Tel The Other Place has been made possible thanks to the support of private and public funders, including very generous donations from ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND, THE GATSBY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, BACKSTAGE TRUST, J PAUL GETTY JR CHARITABLE TRUST and a new creative partnership with the UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM, Founding Partner of The Other Place.

8 SUPPORTERS' SURVEY THANK YOU Thank you so much to everyone who took part in our recent Supporters' Survey. We had a great response with over 600 supporters, more than 40% of our Shakespeare Circle and Patrons, completing the survey and sharing their thoughts. Having analysed the responses we have a much clearer picture of what you enjoy about supporting the RSC, what inspires you to support and what you would like to see and hear more of. A few highlights from the survey include: SUPPORTING THE RSC Almost 90% of you told us that supporting the RSC is the most important reason for joining or renewing your support. As a registered charity, this is wonderful to know and we re very grateful for all you do to help us create the very best in live theatre and carry on doing our productions and producing new work and sharing it with as wide an audience as possible. Supporting the arts is important to you, and that means a lot, thank you. 88% of you told us that you joined as a supporter, because you wanted to support the RSC Photos by Lucy Barriball

9 Photo by Lucy Barriball The Ohio State University. TOP studio theatre begins to take shape The Swan Theatre stone surfaces. TO knowing that in a small way I am contributing to sustaining an important part of our cultural legacy feeling part of the RSC SPECIAL SUPPORTER EVENTS When we asked you about your events programme, you had a lot to tell us. 40% of you have attended a special event and you had some great suggestions as to what we can do to improve our programme. Ideas we re exploring include looking at where and when we hold our events including events for our London supporters, more opportunities for you to get an insight into the creative process behind our productions, opening up our popular and sociable Supporters' Evening and Showcase Day to as many people as possible and giving you more notice about events so that you can plan your visits. advance dates of supporter events perhaps in line with productions I would like supporter events in places easier to get to than Stratford Timings for events to fit in with people who work or live in the North COMMUNICATIONS Keeping in touch with you is an important part of our role and we are keen to find ways to enhance, improve and share our news. The survey asked questions about whether you prefer to receive hard copy or digital information, and over 50% of you expressed a preference to having invitations to events and reminders about renewing your support by , but when it came to priority booking and new season announcements most prefer to receive the information by post. One of the main ways we communicate is through Supporters' News and we were delighted that 99% of you read all or some of Supporters' News and that 89% rate it positively. You also shared some great ideas about how we could improve the content with more behind-the-scenes information about productions and cast, updates on how your support is helping the RSC and clear information about special events. We have highlighted just a few interesting results from your survey and over the coming months we will be working to improve how we involve you, our most valued supporters, in the RSC family and recognising your support with benefits that you want and enjoy. Thank you again for telling us what you think. Your support and participation is very much appreciated and though the survey has now closed, should you have any questions or suggestions that you would like to share please do get in touch. We will continue to share our plans in the Supporters' News with more details in early Summer. SUPPORTERS NEWS JUNE 2015 SEPTEMBER 2015 RSC IN STRATFORD, ACROSS THE UK AND AROUND THE WORLD TO I am delighted to share our plans for 2016, the 400th anniversary year of Shakespeare s death. We are celebrating with a wonderful programme of productions and collaborations across the UK and around the World. Gregory Doran, Artistic Director I am excited that we will be celebrating Shakespeare s and Hong Kong. In New York, these productions will be joined birthday on Saturday 23 April 2016 with a live BBC2 by Richard II as we tour our King and Country: Shakespeare s broadcast from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The Great Cycle of Kings season at the Brooklyn Academy of Music performance will be hosted by David Tennant and will for an extraordinary theatrical event, kindly supported by our celebrate Shakespeare s inspiration in all the other arts. Global Tour Premier Partner, J.P.Morgan. My new production of with Antony Sher in the title Back in Stratford-upon-Avon we are looking forward to role will open in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and the opening our studio theatre The Other Place, reimagined and season will also include a new version of A Midsummer redeveloped, which will house our world-renowned costume Night s Dream directed by my Deputy Artistic Director, store for public tours. Erica Whyman. The production will collaborate with partner Thank you for your support which has made all of our plans theatre companies in a tour across every region of the UK, for 2016 possible. with amateur companies joining the RSC cast to play Bottom and the Mechanicals, alongside local school children as Titania s fairies. Internationally, I launch our major cultural exchange collaboration in China with an historic tour of my productions of Henry IV Parts I and II and Henry V to Beijing, Shanghai PLEASE JOIN ME IN 2016 FOR A YEAR TO REMEMBER. The Royal Shakespeare Company in America is presented in collaboration with ARTISTS CIRCLE PATRONS GOLD PATRONS SILVER SHAKESPEARE CIRCLE SUPPORTERS PRIORITY BOOKING OPEN FOR STRATFORD-UPON-AVON AND LONDON BARBICAN September 2015 TELEPHONE PATRONS TELEPHONE GOLD ONLINE and PHONE booking opens 16 September 2015 TELEPHONE ARTISTS CIRCLE PATRONS SILVER ONLINE and PHONE booking opens 16 September 2015 MEMBERS' PRIORITY BOOKING DATES FOR STRATFORD-UPON-AVON SEPTEMBER JANUARY 2016 SHAKESPEARE CIRCLE ONLINE and PHONE booking opens 17 September 2015 TELEPHONE PUBLIC BOOKING OPENS WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 2015 SUPPORTERS NEWS N E W E V E N T S C A L E N D A R E N C L O S E D Photo by Stewart Hemley 2016 A PROUD YEAR TO BE A SUPPORTER OF THE RSC I think we are going to be very proud of the reopening of The Other Place and the Swan Wing, when they open to the public next year. On a recent visit to our two building projects I was amazed by the progress being made and wanted to share with our Supporters the excitement of the work taking place. The two workplaces have completely different energies, each one appropriate to the project. The beehive at TOP hums with noise as dozens of workmen busy themselves, tearing holes for new windows in the outside walls, or punching holes for roof lights in the ceiling. The innovative recycling efforts, and the industrious repurposing of the old rusty box that was the Courtyard Theatre, is zooming towards its conclusion. Meanwhile the work process at the Swan Wing is altogether quieter, and more intensely detailed, focused as it is on the challenges of restoring the fabric of a building which has stood by the Avon for nearly 135 years. IN YOUR NEWSLETTER SUPPORTERS NEWS NOVEMBER 2015 I want to begin 2016 by thanking you, the RSC's closest friends, for your continued support and involvement. It is going to be an extraordinary year celebrating Shakespeare's legacy. With your contribution the RSC continues to thrive and between April 2014 and March 2015 you helped us to welcome 1.8 million people to 2,000 performances of 28 productions, to broadcast our work to 17 countries and to inspire 530,000 young people through our international education work which aims to spark a life-long love of Shakespeare. I hope you ll be able to join us for many of We have a wonderful artistic programme the productions and celebrations taking place this year and I am delighted to now throughout 2016 and to see the beautifully share with you in this newsletter and the restored Swan Wing and much anticipated enclosed guide full booking details for reopening of The Other Place. the second half of Highlights Thank you again for helping us to create include with Antony Sher theatre at its best made in Stratford-upon-Avon in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. and shared around the world with the widest In the Swan Theatre we look forward possible audience. Your support is greatly to The Two Noble Kinsmen, The Rover appreciated by all at the RSC. by Aphra Behn and a new play by Anders Lustgarten The Seven Acts of Mercy. Artistic Director The Swan Wing masonry has all been cleared in a careful sequence, using differently techniques and has revealed again the three terracotta plaques that grace the front of the Swan. The oriel bay window which usually over looks Weston square, now reveals fairy sculptures that peer beneath the window. A perky imp sheltering under a large anemone, and a demonic little goblin sits cross legged in a corner stretching his bat wings. All over the exterior of the building, piece in repairs, mortar repairs, discreet pinning and lime consolidation have all been undertaken to restore the fragile carved and plain This has all been made possible with your support. I do hope when we re-open both buildings you will be delighted with what we have all achieved. Gregory Doran Artistic Director Shakespeare on Screen a film festival which uncovers highlights of Shakespeare performances reconceived for film or television by the RSC Love for Love and Queen Anne in rehearsal Henry V opens to public and critical acclaim RE:Shakespeare, a ground-breaking free app from the RSC and Samsung Photo by Stewart Hemley booking opens 20 January 2016 PATRONS GOLD TELEPHONE ONLINE and PHONE booking opens 20 January 2016 PATRONS SILVER ONLINE TELEPHONE and PHONE booking opens 20 January TELEPHONE MEMBERS' PRIORITY BOOKING DATES FOR STRATFORD-UPON-AVON SEPTEMBER JANUARY 2016 SHAKESPEARE CIRCLE ONLINE and PHONE booking opens 21 January 2016 TELEPHONE PUBLIC BOOKING OPENS WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 2015 SUPPORTERS NEWS JANUARY 2016 BIRTHDAY EVENT INFORMATION ON INSIDE BACK PAGE GREGORY DORAN Photo by Ellie Kurttz

10 DREAM 16 ON TOUR A CO-PRODUCTION BETWEEN THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY AND AMATEUR THEATRE COMPANIES ACROSS THE UK THE NATION IS IN FOR A TREAT EVENING STANDARD RSC S DELIGHTFUL PLAY FOR THE NATION GUARDIAN A ROARING SUCCESS TIMES THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE NEVER DID RUN SMOOTH On a Midsummer s night, four young lovers find themselves wrapped in the mischievous arms of an enchanted forest where sprites lurk and fairies rule. With a feuding Fairy King and Queen, Bottom, Quince and their friends presenting their play within a play, and chief mischief-maker Puck on-hand, games of fantasy, love and dreams ensue in Shakespeare s most fun and beguiling comedy. The nation s favourite Shakespeare play is performed as never before; Deputy Artistic Director Erica Whyman (The Christmas Truce 2014 and Hecuba 2015), directs 18 professional actors with local amateur groups as Shakespeare s Mechanicals. Returning to the RSC is Ayesha Dharker (Othello 2015, Arabian Nights 2009) in the role of Fairy Queen Titania and Chu Omambala (Hecuba 2015) as Oberon, King of the Fairies. Also joining the Company are Lucy Ellinson as Puck, Laura Riseborough as Helena, Mercy Ojelade as Hermia, Jack Holden as Lysander and Chris Nayak as Demetrius. Join us for an unforgettable Midsummer adventure...

11 Photos by Topher McGrillis REMAINING UK TOUR DATES APRIL ALHAMBRA THEATRE BRADFORD bradford-theatres.co.uk APRIL THE MARLOWE THEATRE CANTERBURY marlowetheatre.com APRIL THEATRE ROYAL NORWICH theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk 3 7 MAY THEATRE ROYAL NOTTINGHAM trch.co.uk MAY HALL FOR CORNWALL TRURO hallforcornwall.co.uk MAY BARBICAN LONDON barbican.org.uk MAY NEW THEATRE CARDIFF newtheatrecardiff.co.uk 31 MAY 4 JUNE GRAND OPERA HOUSE BELFAST goh.co.uk 15 JUNE 16 JULY ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE STRATFORD-UPON-AVON rsc.org.uk This is an arrangement developed between the RSC and Equity A Midsummer Night s Dream: A Play for the Nation is supported by Arts Council England Cross-Border Touring Fund SAVE THE DATE MAGIC AT MIDSUMMER SLUNG LOW: FAIRY PORTAL CAMP SUNDAY 19 SATURDAY 25 JUNE AVONBANK GARDENS (BETWEEN THE SWAN THEATRE AND HOLY TRINITY CHURCH) The world is in imbalance. We have seen the seasons altered and the seas are rising. A band of adventurers and poets believe they have the solution: unblock the fairy portal and restore the natural order of things. Join us during the week and help create the ceremony. Beginning with a feast and going on until the very pitch black moment of midsummer, the Ceremony will contain dancing and fire, singing and feasting, poetry and you. This special collaboration with Slung Low is inspired by A Midsummer Night s Dream and the beliefs that were widely held in Shakespeare s time about the magic of Midsummer s night. More information will follow in your next newsletter.

12 POSTCARDS FROM is a remarkable year, not only as we celebrate 400 years of our house playwright but we are embarking on our first major productions tour to China and onward conclusion of the King & Country: Shakespeare s Great Cycle of Kings at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York. This collaboration in China marks the beginning of an precedented artistic exchange between the RSC and China. This partnership/project will include a decade long commitment to translating Shakespeare s works into Mandarin, embedding translators in rehearsals to create texts made for performance, Chinese dramatic works translated into English and performed in the UK for the very first time, and a new education resource pack created with the British Council for schools worldwide translated into Chinese. FIRST STOP BEIJING The company (and the 51 tonnes of set) arrived safely in China for the beginning of the international King & Country Tour. They were formally met by President Chen Ping and his team for a welcome over green tea. The crew, working with translators installed the set at the National Centre for Performing Arts in Beijing. The first performance on 18 February and subsequent performances were met with great enthusiasm. There was a moment during the technical rehearsal in Beijing, when Gregory Doran suddenly thought that perhaps, after all, we were crazy to be touring three plays that the Chinese had never seen before. Gregory Doran and Sam Marks visiting The Great Wall of China. We had heard troubling stories: about Chinese audiences, not reacting like audiences in Stratford-upon-Avon, that they spend their time chatting, get up and leave after forty minutes or so, or simply record the show on their mobile phones. Would they follow the story? Would the subtitles be precise enough? On the first night in Beijing the Company held their breath: Photo by Amy Belson

13 NEXT STOP SHANGHAI The entire Company was on fine form in Shanghai. The performances were excellent and the audiences really engaged and enthusiastic. Again the production team worked marvels to get everything ready including constructing a tent to protect some of our key electrical equipment from water pouring through in the wings. The response was exceptional for all three productions. I think the RSC are doing a great job to build cross cultural bridges and I really appreciate all the effort your actors made to come here, perform and then take questions. A quote from one of our Chinese audience members following a Q & A session in Shanghai. Gregory Doran delivering the Shakespeare Folio Project Symposium. The King & Country Exhibition, designed by our Events and Exhibitions team, looked brilliant in the foyers of the Shanghai Grand. Photo by Jasper James FINAL EASTERN STOP HONG KONG Two weeks in Hong Kong has meant the company can relax a little. Performances formed part of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, alongside music and dance performances. The Lyric Theatre is the only theatre in the city of 7 million people. A highlight for the company was performing to 800 very well behaved school children from local schools until the kiss Scene in Henry V and the children cheered in delight! As the King & Country tour bids farewell to China, to take a well earned break before heading on to New York, we reflect on what we have achieved. Gregory Doran, RSC Artistic Director, said: I have been hugely excited by the ambitions of our Chinese cultural partners and their interest in working with the Royal Shakespeare Company. China's rich dramatic heritage mirrors the epic scale, complexity and universality of Shakespeare's work, and has a national curriculum which requires young people to study his plays. Alex Hassell front of house at the Hong Kong Arts Festival. I am delighted that we are able to bring our work to new audiences in China, with the support of the UK Government, the deep commitment and active engagement of the Chinese Cultural Embassy, and the generous support of J.P. Morgan. NEXT STOP NEW YORK. Photo by Amy Belson

14 LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT Your love for Shakespeare can be shared around the world with the next generation. A gift in your will is the start of a life-long love of Shakespeare and live theatre. In language and performance. As a guide to life. As a star to follow. As a vision of the tragedies, complexities, puzzles and delights of being alive. On a crazy island swirling with sounds, exiled Duke Prospero uses magic to create a home within the wilderness. As his beloved daughter Miranda falls in love with a shipwrecked stranger from their homeland, she rebels against his power. Prospero must risk forgiving those who betrayed him, or lose her forever. Fun, fantasy and sorcery collide in this gripping story of how love and reconciliation can conquer fear and control. It is an ideal first experience of Shakespeare for anyone aged 8 and above. Using Shakespeare s original language, this edited version lasts 90 minutes and includes a fully interactive introduction to the world and characters of the play. In this special year celebrating Shakespeare s continuing legacy and impact around the world we hope you will consider leaving a gift to the RSC in your will to bring the thrills, joys and magic of live theatre to children and adults around world and spark a love of Shakespeare. Please let us know if you re planning to leave a gift to the RSC in your will - we would like to thank you and welcome you to our group of supporters who have committed a legacy to the RSC - The Benefactors Circle. Please michele.cottiss@rsc.org.uk or telephone Photo by Rob Freeman

15 WELCOME TO YOUR SUPPORTERS TEAM The Supporters' team are here to make your experience as a supporter as fulfilling as possible and to encourage others to get involved and join you in supporting the RSC. Left to right: Pete Warman, Michele Cottiss and Rosie Kew. The team are split between Stratford-upon-Avon and London, with Pete based in London and Michele and Rosie working mainly in Stratford. We work within the wider Development Department which raises around 4 million every year to help the RSC to create theatre at its best, made in Stratford-upon-Avon and shared around the world with the widest possible audience. We want you to feel involved in the work we do on-stage and behind the scenes and give you an insight into the craftsmanship and creativity that goes into every production. Through Supporters' News, and the online Supporters' Room, we endeavour to make sure you have all the latest news including new season announcements and all the information necessary for your Priority Booking. As a team we are responsible for shaping your supporter events programme, and hope that you ll be able to enjoy many of the special events we organise to bring you closer to the magic behind our productions. We look forward to meeting you in the theatre, over coffee in the RST Café or at one of our Supporter events. It goes without saying, if you would like to talk about your support or if we can be of any assistance please get in touch CONTACT DETAILS Michele Cottiss Tel: michele.cottiss@rsc.org.uk Rosie Kew Tel: rosie.kew@rsc.org.uk Pete Warman Tel: pete.warman@rsc.org.uk

16 YOUR EVENTS CALENDAR Please note that as a registered charity some of these events are charged to cover costs. Full details of these events are available online. Please visit your Supporters room. Saturday 23 April 7pm 10.30pm Shakespeare Live! From The RSC Ballot and TOP Screening All tickets for both events have now been allocated, and joining instructions will be sent week commencing 11 April. Saturday 23 April 11am and 4.15pm The Other Place Tours We have held a limited number of tickets off sale for Supporters' on the 11am and 4.15pm tours. Tickets: 8.50 pp. Contact Rosie Kew at Supporter@rsc.org.uk or Saturday 4 June 10am 4pm Showcase Day The Other Place The day will include; a conversation with Hamlet himself, Paapa Essiedu, and Assistant Director Anna Girvan, the opportunity to hear from Catherine Mallyon and Erica Whyman on their shared vision for the Other Place, an insight into the Live From Stratford screenings and a tour of TOP. Tickets to include lunch and refreshments. A limited number of tickets for the evening performance of Hamlet, are available. If you would like to stay for the show, please let us know. Tickets: 40 pp. Contact Kate Perry at Invitation@rsc.org.uk or Wednesday 8 June 10am 12.45pm Benefactors Brunch Stratford-upon-Avon An annual event to thank those of you who support us through legacy giving. This year s event will give you a behind the scenes look at our current production of A Midsummer Night s Dream. Invitation only to Legators Friday 23 September 6.30pm, pre show drinks at the Barbican, London. Limited availability, first come, first served. Tickets: Kate Perry at Invitation@rsc.org.uk or Friday 28 October 6pm 1pm Supporters Evening The Royal Shakespeare Theatre Our grand celebration centres around a performance of The Two Noble Kinsmen. Join us for dinner, the production of The Two Noble Kinsmen and a post performance Party. Tickets can be booked from 20 April online via your Supporters room. Tickets are limited to 2 per person and allocated on a first come, first served basis. Tickets: 160 pp. Contact Kate Perry at Invitation@rsc.org.uk or Friday 2 December Friday 20 January 6.30pm 6.30pm Pre show drinks at the Barbican, London. Limited availability, first come, first served. Labour's Lost, pre show drinks at the Haymarket, London. Limited availability, first come, first served. Tickets: Kate Perry at Invitation@rsc.org.uk or PRESS NIGHTS All Gold Patrons are invited to join us for the press nights in The Royal Shakespeare Theatre. All our Artist Circle Supporters are invited for press nights in The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, The Swan Theatre and London press nights. Full details and dates for these are available on the website in your Supporters room. OTHER EVENTS Sunday 24 July 10am 4pm Making a Scene- Shakespeare Structure Join David Edgar and guests for a day of talks examining Shakespeare s structural skills in playwriting. Tickets: We have secured a small number of tickets for Supporters. Public Event Tickets: Contact Rosie Kew at Supporter@rsc.org.uk or March 19 June Compton Verney, Warwickshire Shakespeare in Art: Tempests, Tyrants and Tragedy A new exhibition which reimagines Shakespeare s work through different media: painting, photography, film, sound and light. Includes speciallycommissioned audio excerpts by RSC actors. Tickets: Book directly with Compton Verney Please quote RSC for a 25% discount.