Year of Shakespeare

The Hollow Crown brings together four filmed adaptations of Shakespeare’s History Plays – Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 and 2, and Henry V. Starting in the year 1399, this continuous story of monarchy follows events during sixteen years of dynastic and political power play. Kings, with their families and followers, are threatened by rebellion and conflict. Directed by Thea Sharrock and starring Tom Hiddleston, Henry V is the second installment in the series, which will be shown on BBC 2 and BBC iPlayer.

The Hollow Crown brings together four filmed adaptations of Shakespeare’s History Plays – Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 and 2, and Henry V. Starting in the year 1399, this continuous story of monarchy follows events during sixteen years of dynastic and political power play. Kings, with their families and followers, are threatened by rebellion and conflict. Directed by Richard Eyre and starring Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, and Simon Russell Beale, Henry IV – Part 1 is the second installment in the series, which will be shown on BBC 2 and BBC iPlayer.

The Vakhtangov, on the Arbat, is at the heart of Moscow both geographically and theatrically. From humble beginnings in 1913, this company, which began in basements and front rooms, grew to inhabit one of Moscow’s most beautiful theatres. Always following the twin influences of Meyerhold and Stanislavsky, of spectacle and psychological truth, it has created many of Russia’s most respected productions. This is their first visit to the UK. Playing at The Globe, London.

Where else but from Rome for Julius Caesar? In a sparse new translation by prizewinning playwright Vincenzo Manna, Andrea Barraco’s Julius Caesar is set in a dreamlike yet contemporary Rome. The production opened in the ancient, haunting theatre in Gualtieri in the north of Italy, and will perform at the prestigious Teatro di Roma prior to the Globe. Playing at The Globe, London.

Nikita Milivojevic has directed in Sweden, the USA, and Greece and is the former Artistic Director of the celebrated BITEF festival – the most significant cultural forum in modern Serbia. He makes his debut in the UK with this thrilling drama of political scheming and military heroics. Playing at The Globe, London.

The third part of the Balkan trilogy is infused with live music, as traditional Macedonian songs punctuate the bloody action. This grand drama of civil war is given new life for the Globe by the National Theatre of Bitola, who staged the first play in the Macedonian language following the liberation of the country from the Axis Powers in 1944. Playing at The Globe, London.

Belarus Free Theatre was founded in March 2005 by husband and wife team Nicolai Khalezin and Natalia Kaliada, and joined by Vladimir Scherban. Their performances in Belarus are held secretly, in small private apartments, the location of which, due to the risk of persecution, must constantly be changed. Despite suffering every form of intimidation and harassment, BFT continue to produce great theatre that is recognised internationally. Playing at The Globe, London.

By translating the rich, pun-riddled text of Love’s Labour’s Lost into the physical language of BSL, Deafinitely Theatre create a new interpretation of Shakespeare’s comedy, accessible to theatre goers of all backgrounds. Deafinitely, who have worked at the Soho Theatre and the Tricycle Theatre, aim to build a bridge between deaf and hearing worlds by performing to both groups as one audience. This is the first time this has been attempted with a full Shakespeare play. Playing at The Globe, London.

In 1993 bremer shakespeare company performed The Merry Wives of Windsor on the building site of the Globe Theatre. They have staged over 40 Shakespeare productions in their home on the western bank of the Weser in Bremen, and have toured throughout Europe and Asia. Nineteen years after The Merry Wives, they return with a bold, wild and bouncy production of Timon of Athens, the perfect play for our times. Playing at The Globe, London.

Legendary Lithuanian director Eimuntas Nekrosius’ Hamlet is one of the most celebrated Shakespearean productions of our age. It has toured the world and is now coming to London for the first time. Nekrosius’ work, universally regarded as a new chapter in theatre history, engages with the sheer diversity of human nature, at once funny and violent, visceral and light-hearted, and always deeply compelling. Playing at The Globe, London.

On 22 April The Globe opened its doors for a free open day. 29 performers recited Shakespeare’s sonnets in over 30 different languages whilst an international food market tempted the tastebuds. Playing at The Globe, London.

Prospero is usurped from his position as Duke of Milan and cast away with his daughter to a remote island. Twelve years later, and intent on revenge, he raises a magical tempest that shipwrecks his enemies on his shores. What begins as a search for retribution develops into a journey of acceptance and compassion in Shakespeare’s final play. Directed by David Farr, The Tempest plays in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, as part of What Country Friends Is This? together with Twelfth Night and The Comedy of Errors. This epic trilogy of Shakespeare’s shipwreck plays, exploring love, loss and reunion, is performed by one company of actors. Playing at the RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon, and the Roundhouse, London.

Written for ages 11+, I,Cinna (The Poet) is Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar told through the eyes of a jiggling fool. Cinna asks the young audience to consider the relationship between words and actions, art and politics, self and society. During the performance he will ask students to write poems with him: small poems on big themes. These poems can be reworked after the performance and sent to the RSC, where a web archive of responses to the play will be created. I,Cinna is the latest in a series of solo shows written and directed by Tim Crouch inspired by Shakespeare’s lesser characters, including I, Peaseblossom and I, Malvolio. Playing at the RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon.

King John’s claim to the throne is challenged by France, which threatens war unless he steps aside in favour of his nephew, Arthur. A bitter, political struggle ensues as a weakened King clings to power, no matter what the cost. Maria Aberg has directed for the Royal Court, RSC, Soho Theatre and Southwark Playhouse. Her recent RSC productions include Days of Significance (Swan Theatre/TricycleTheatre/UK Tour 2009) and The Gods Weep by Dennis Kelly (Hampstead Theatre 2010). Playing at the RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon.

Power-hungry Richard, Duke of Gloucester, plots, manipulates and murders his way to the throne in Shakespeare’s brilliant expose of this infamous monarch. Roxana Silbert directs a company of actors, who will also perform A Soldier In Every Son – An Aztec Trilogy. Formerly Artistic Director of Paines Plough Theatre Company, she is Artistic Director (Designate) of Birmingham Repertory Theatre and an Associate Director of the RSC. Playing at the RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon.

Shakespeare’s magical, shape-shifting play. From Russia comes the world premiere of Dmitry Krymov’s interpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Dmitry Krymov is a director, artist and designer whose visually stunning productions have established him as one of the most original directorial voices of his generation. Expect his take on Shakespeare’s most magical of comedies to be unlike any Dream you have seen before. Playing at the RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon, and the Edinburgh International Festival.

A new and exciting collaboration between amateur theatre makers and the RSC’s professional creative and production teams. Pericles will see a cast of amateur performers working with RSC directors, designers, stage managers and technicians to create an exhilarating new production of Shakespeare’s tragic romance. Pericles is part of What Country Friends Is This? together with Twelfth Night and The Tempest and The Comedy of Errors. Playing at the RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon.

Verdi’s last masterpiece receives a lavish new production for Covent Garden under director Robert Carsen, as the portly knight of Shakespeare’s comedy takes to the stage, larger than life. The fast-paced wit of the action, with its jealousy, intrigue, confusion and comic chaos is set to music of the most consummate invention. With a bravura ending in praise of laughter itself, Falstaff is a wonderful way to experience all the colour and character of opera at its most entertaining and rewarding. Playing at the Royal Opera House, London.

For many of Shakespeare’s most tragic characters, love represents not an ascent into heavenly bliss, but a descent into hellish despair. So it’s fitting that Brazilian director Renato Rocha will be staging his exploration of Shakespeare’s most painful and poignant moments deep in the Dorfman Hub space beneath the Roundhouse. This unique underground space will be transformed into a dreamlike underworld that draws on the rich cultural tapestry of Brazil and will be suffused with stunning digital projections. Featuring scenes from Hamlet, Othello and Romeo and Juliet and performed in promenade by a cast of London teenagers, The Dark Side of Love is an intense and atmospheric experience. The audience are encouraged to lose themselves in the action, whilst the characters lose themselves in the most extreme of emotions as they search for the light of love glimmering through the darkness. Playing at the Roundhouse, London.

Wealthy friend to the rich and powerful, patron of the arts, ostentatious host, Timon of Athens showers gifts and hospitality on the city’s elite. He vastly outspends his resources but, finding his coffers empty, reassures his loyal steward that all will be well. When he calls upon his erstwhile associates, instead of offering help, they hang him out to dry. After a final, vengeful banquet, Timon withdraws to a literal and emotional wasteland, living off roots and pouring ever more surreal curses on a morally bankrupt Athens. Simon Russell Beale takes the title role in Shakespeare’s strange fable of conspicuous consumption, debt and ruin, written in collaboration with Thomas Middleton. Playing at the National Theatre, London.

A spectacularly visual interpretation of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Set in a contemporary and brutal middle-eastern conflict, 2008: Macbeth is unflinching in its depiction of the machine of violence. With spectacular pyrotechnics, immersive video effects and an extraordinary soundscape, Shakespeare’s political play is transformed into a contemporary living theatrical film. Playing at the Edinburgh International Festival.

An ambitious textual and visual deconstruction of Hamlet, interweaving performance, film and installation to create a vigorous new interpretation that cuts to the heart of the play. Meditative and dreamlike in quality, the hallmark of dreamthinkspeak’s productions, The Rest is Silence will be performed within a specially designed and multilayered structure, allowing the action to unfold on different levels and on all sides. Playing at the Brighton Festival, Riverside Studios, London, and the Northern Stage, Newcastle.

On a remote island, in the depth of sleep, a storm is brewing. After years of preparation, Prospero whips up the waves of destruction on a passing fleet. But providence turns tragedy to comedy as the motley shipwrecked crew trudge their way around the island to face their fate. Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, under Arwel Gruffydd’s artistic leadership, is the Welsh language national theatre of Wales. Playing at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, Vale of Glamorgan.

A brand new wonderland and a total theatre experience for children aged 2 to 4, their families and friends. Inspired by The Winter’s Tale, Oily Cart take young audiences on a voyage of discovery through the landscapes of Shakespeare’s imagination and the music of his language. The adventure begins in the woolly pastures of the Shepherdess and her flock of little sheep. She is having a party to celebrate the sheep shearing. When she discovers a lost baby, clues must be followed. Travel over the salty sea to the sad court where a happy ending will be found. There will be beautiful costumes, enchanting live music, some helpful clues, lovely perfumes and delightful textures along the way. Playing at the RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon, the Stratford Circus, London, and the Northern Stage, Newcastle.