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Dateline:
8th February, 2004
RSC News
RSC Looking for West End Tragedies this Winter
Royal Shakespeare Company bosses have confirmed they are in advanced
discussions with theatre owners and producers ATG (the Ambassadors Theatre
Group) about the transfer of The Tragedies to London this winter.
The move will lead to the RSC's new core ensemble moving to one of
ATG's West End theatres for a 16-week season after playing in Stratford
and Newcastle upon Tyne. The Tragedies is the first season put
together by artistic director Michael Boyd and comprises Hamlet,
Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet and King Lear.
The RSC has not had a base in London since Boyd's predecessor Adrian
Noble withdrew the company from the Barbican two years ago. Boyd this
week reportedly described the move as "shocking and hurtful",
admitting that the RSC should not have left without finding a new London
home first.
In a news release Boyd said: "Our audiences have told us loud
and clear they want a theatre in London with an RSC flag outside. With
a house playwright as democratic as Shakespeare, choosing a theatre
in the West End makes complete sense.
"Securing a new London base is only the start of a long process
of rebuilding trust and confidence with our audiences in London. Eventually
I want to see the RSC back in London throughout the year. But crucially
this new relationship in the West End gives us back the editorial control
we need to bring our work to London.
"For a company built around an ensemble, it's important that we
present a range of work in the capital, not just shows selected for
a commercial run."
The RSC said it would confirm details of the theatre later in the year,
although it is reported that the company is thought to be looking at
the Piccadilly Theatre as its new London base.
Understudies in the spotlight at Stratford
Actors at the start of their careers who are understudying major roles
with the RSC are to get the chance to go on stage before a paying public.
For four matinee performances in the 2004 Festival Season in Stratford,
understudies will take leading roles in cut-price performances, with
tickets starting at £5.
The RSC provides a full understudy programme to ensure the company
is able to continue performances in the event of injury or illness.
Understudies rehearse their roles through the main rehearsal period
as well as their normal role. After opening night a full understudy
rehearsal takes place - but until now the public has not been admitted.
Said artistic director Michael Boyd: "Understudies are too often
the unsung heroes of the company. They put an incredible amount of energy
into preparing for major roles but don't really get acknowledged in
their own right.
"In one production - Peter Brook's 1978 Antony and Cleopatra
with Glenda Jackson and Alan Howard - the understudy company included
Juliet Stevenson, David Bradley, John Bowe, Alan Rickman and Ruby Wax.
"I want the RSC to be a real magnet for actors who want to develop
their career and continue learning. These understudy performances are
an important part of a much bigger movement at the RSC that I want to
establish which really concentrates on developing actors' talent."
The first set of understudy performances will be Macbeth on
Tuesday, April 27th at 1.30pm; Romeo and Juliet on Tuesday, May
4th at 1.30pm; Hamlet on Friday, August 13th at 1pm; and King
Lear on Friday, August 20th at 1pm.
Steve
Orme
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