Nuffield Theatre working with Mayflower Theatre on Shakespeare 400 celebrations in Southampton
Posted by Highfield Residents' Association on Aug 8, 2016 in News | 0 commentsShakespeare 400 celebration in Southampton
As part of the national Shakespeare400 celebrations, Southampton’s leading theatres are working in partnership. Shakespeare in the city is a joint initiative between Mayflower Theatre and Nuffield theatres to give audiences the opportunity of exploring Shakespeare the man, his work and his connections with the city of Southampton this Autumn.
Michael Ockwell, Mayflower Theatre Chief Executive said, “Both Mayflower Theatre and Nuffield are committed to developing the arts in Southampton. By working in partnership we hope to encourage more people in the city and beyond to experience Shakespeare through different art forms in this anniversary year”
The Shakespeare in the City season starts with a brand new play, Dedication; Shakespeare and Southampton that premieres at Nuffield Theatre from 9 September and runs to 8 October. This new play written by Southampton’s award–winning playwright Nick Dear (Frankenstein with Benedict Cumberbatch, National Theatre; The Art of Success, RSC, Olivier Nomination) sees Shakespeare on trial and questioned about his relationship with the Earl of Southampton. The Earl of Southampton lived at Titchfield and was Shakespeare’s patron. Directed by Nuffield’s Director Samuel Hodges and designed by Alex Lowde (Tis Pity She’s A Whore, Shakespeare’s Globe), the audience will be placed at the centre of the action in the powder keg of sex, politics and power of Elizabethan England. Additional pre show walking guided tours of the city of Southampton are also available, highlighting the locations and characters that inspired the Bard.
Sam Hodges, Director at Nuffield said, “We are delighted to be working with Mayflower Theatre and are very committed to tell local stories. Having grown up in Southampton, Bafta Award winner Nick Dear has become a playwright of national stature. His compelling new drama unpicks the mystery around Southampton’s role in the life of our greatest writer. It’s a thrill to get to tell a story which has never been staged before.”
In November, Mayflower Theatre present Welsh National Opera productions of Tchaikowsky’s The Merchant of Venice, Verdi’s Macbeth and Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate from 1-5 November. Andre’s Tchaikowsky’s The Merchant of Venice, is composed by a Jewish man who had endured life in the Warsaw ghetto, making this opera a powerful and serious attack on prejudice that contains moments of beauty. Oliver Mears’ gripping modern day production of Verdi’s Macbeth, brings Verdi’s brooding and ferocious opera urgently to life and Cole Porter’s classic musical comically intertwines the on and off stage antics of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew.
A special price deal of buying full priced ticket and getting a second half price is available to encourage audiences to visit both theatres.
Tickets for Shakespeare in the City events are available online at nuffieldtheatre.co.uk or mayflower.org.uk.
LISTINGS NUFFIELD
Dedication – Shakespeare and Southampton
Written by Nick Dear
Directed by Samuel Hodges
Designed by Alex Lowde
A Nuffield production
Dates: 9 September – 8 October 2015
Tickets: £18.00 & £25.00
A Walk in Shakespeare’s Shoes –A Guided Walk in Southampton
By SeeSouthampton
Dates: 13, 27 & 23 September
Tickets: £6.00
MAYFLOWER THEATRE
Andre Tchaikowsky
The Merchant of Venice
Welsh National Opera production
Dates: 1 November
Tickets: £41:00, £36.00
Macbeth
Verdi
Welsh National Opera production
Dates: 2 November
Tickets: £44:00, £39:00
Cole Porter’s
Kiss Me Kate
Welsh National Opera production
Dates: 3 – 5 November
Tickets: £44:00, £39:00