YOUNG PEOPLE FROM BIRMINGHAM, COVENTRY, NORTHAMPTON AND WARWICKSHIRE, JOIN THE RSC’S ROMEO AND JULIET COMPANY
YOUNG PEOPLE FROM BIRMINGHAM, COVENTRY, NORTHAMPTON AND WARWICKSHIRE, JOIN THE RSC’S ROMEO AND JULIET COMPANY
ROMEO AND JULIET
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Erica Whyman
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Saturday 21 April – Saturday 21 September 2018
Press night: Tuesday 1 May 2018, 7pm
Today the Royal Shakespeare Company announces the 56 young people from Birmingham, Coventry, Northampton and Warwickshire who will join the professional cast in the forthcoming production of Romeo and Juliet directed by Deputy Artistic Director, Erica Whyman. The young people aged 12 – 18 all attend schools in the RSC’s Associate Schools programme or work in partnership with the RSC. In teams of four they will perform each night in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, sharing the role of the Chorus with the professional cast.
Erica Whyman said: “We were bowled over by the impact our tour of A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation had on the young people who took part and those who came to watch as we traversed the UK. I want to build on that hugely positive experience, as we stage Romeo and Juliet, opening up a dialogue with young people in schools in ways we have never before been able to do. By inviting these young people to join us on stage I want to celebrate the diverse talent of the UK and highlight the revolutionary heart of this most timeless love story.”
Claire Day, English teacher, Hall Green School in Birmingham said: “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for our students, none of whom have any previous theatre experience. We are hoping that their involvement will fire the interest of all our students.”
Puneet aged 14 from Northampton said: “I’m excited to meet new people, experience this once in a lifetime opportunity and work alongside a professional cast.”
The young people will take part in three or four rehearsals with the members of the RSC’s Education team, and members of the Romeo and Juliet creative team. They will then join the professional company for an onstage rehearsal and their public performances, as the production runs in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre until Saturday 21 September.
From Birmingham young people join from: Moseley School and Sixth Form, City Academy and Hall Green School.
From Coventry young people join from: Sidney Stringer Academy and President Kennedy School Academy.
From Northampton young people join from the Lings Performing Arts Academy, which brings together young people from across Northampton schools who are passionate about theatre.
From Warwickshire young people join from: Stratford-upon-Avon School, Campion School in Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon College, Myton School in Warwick,
St Benedict’s Catholic High School in Alcester, Shipston High School, Kineton High School and Welcombe Hills School.
The Associate Schools Programme is the RSC’s partnership programme with regional theatres and schools across England. The ambition of the Associate Schools Programme is to bring about a significant change in the way young people experience, engage with, and take ownership of the work of Shakespeare. Through the programme teachers learn to explore Shakespeare with their students in the way actors do in a rehearsal room, using dynamic, active approaches. The programme is open to secondary, primary and special state schools in England and the RSC seek to recruit schools that serve areas of relatively high socio-economic deprivation.
The professional cast also includes: Afolabi Alli (Paris); Donna Banya (Gregory); Stevie Basaula (Sampson); Ishia Bennison (Nurse); Katy Brittain (Friar John/Apothecary); Raif Clarke (Peter); Beth Cordingly (Escalus); Paul Dodds (Montague); Josh Finan (Benvolio); Karen Fishwick (Juliet); Andrew French (Friar Laurence); Bally Gill (Romeo); Mariam Haque (Lady Capulet); Michael Hodgson (Capulet); Charlotte Josephine (Mercutio); John Macaulay (Cousin Capulet); Tom Padley (Balthasar); Sakuntala Ramanee (Lady Montague); Raphael Sowole (Tybalt) and Nima Taleghani (Abraham).
Romeo and Juliet is directed by Erica Whyman and designed by Tom Piper with lighting by Charles Balfour. Music is by Sophie Cotton and movement by Ayse Tashkiran.
Notes to Editors
For further information, please contact amy.belson@rsc.org.uk 01789 412622.
For press tickets please contact dean.asker@rsc.org.uk 01789 412660
To book tickets call 01789 403493 or online at www.rsc.org.uk
The RSC Acting Companies are generously supported by THE GATSBY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION and THE KOVNER FOUNDATION
The work of the RSC Education Department is generously supported by PAUL HAMLYN FOUNDATION, THE ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER FOUNDATION, THE POLONSKY FOUNDATION and THE ERNEST COOK TRUST.
The Associate Schools programme is supported by THE POLONSKY FOUNDATION and THE ERNEST COOK TRUST
BP £5 tickets and BP Shakespeare Pass for 16-25s
The BP £5 tickets and BP Shakespeare Pass for 16 – 25 year olds gives access to £5 tickets for all RSC productions whether we are performing in Stratford-upon-Avon, London or on tour. The pass enables 16-25 year olds to see five shows in Stratford-upon-Avon for £20 – the cheapest way to enjoy shows at the RSC. Tickets can be booked in advance on the phone, online or in person with some available for sale on the day of the performance. The scheme is supported by Project Partner, BP.
The Royal Shakespeare Company creates theatre at its best, made in Stratford-upon-Avon and shared around the world. We produce an inspirational artistic programme each year, setting Shakespeare in context, alongside the work of his contemporaries and today's writers.
Everyone at the RSC - from actors to armourers, musicians to technicians - plays a part in creating the world you see on stage. All our productions begin life at our Stratford workshops and theatres and we bring them to the widest possible audience through our touring, residencies, live broadcasts and online activity. So wherever you experience the RSC, you experience work made in Shakespeare's home town.
We have trained generations of the very best theatre makers and we continue to nurture the talent of the future. We encourage everyone to enjoy a lifelong relationship with Shakespeare and live theatre. We reach 530,000 children and young people annually through our education work, transforming their experiences in the classroom, in performance and online. Registered charity no. 212481 www.rsc.org.uk
