HIGHLIGHTS OF RSC PRODUCTIONS IN

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON AND LONDON IN

SUMMER 2012

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CELEBRATING SHAKESPEARE AS

THE WORLD’S PLAYWRIGHT

For full programme details visit worldshakespearefestival.org.uk

THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO BECOME AN RSC MEMBER

Become an RSC Member from £18 per year Receive the full World Shakespeare Festival guide and the latest Members’ Newsletter

Enjoy Priority Booking for Festival productions in Stratford-upon-Avon and London

RSC discounts and other special offers throughout the year

Members’ Priority Booking is now open

Public Booking opens on 10 October

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JOIN US NEXT YEAR TO CELEBRATE SHAKESPEARE AS THE WORLD’S PLAYWRIGHT WITH PRODUCTIONS BY THE RSC AND INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

In 2012, London will host the greatest show on earth. Taking part will be world class athletes from across the globe, competing in 26 different sporting disciplines within the Olympic and Paralympic Games. A major cultural festival will also form part of the celebrations. Culture has played an integral part in the Olympic Games from its inception, and while medals stopped being awarded for literature and music in the 1950s, today arts and culture continue as a vital component.

The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad is the largest cultural celebration in the history of the modern Olympic and Paralympic Movements. Its culmination will be the London 2012 Festival, which will include the World Shakespeare Festival, produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

SHAKESPEARE, THE WORLD’S PLAYWRIGHTThe World Shakespeare Festival explores how the world performs, engages with and teaches Shakespeare. It celebrates Shakespeare as the world’s playwright, a man whose work speaks to people across continents. A man whose work breaks down boundaries of culture, language and religion.

The RSC is contributing a dozen new productions of its own to the World Shakespeare Festival. Some reflect the rich mix of cultures within British society; some are co-productions with international companies and some explore non-theatre spaces and new journeys for our audiences.

We hope you will join us to experience Shakespeare’s work as you have never seen it before.

Three plays. One company. One environment. One world of shipwreck, grief, laughter, love and reunion. The Royal Shakespeare Company presents a unique trilogy to celebrate the World Shakespeare Festival.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE

For full programme details visit worldshakespearefestival.org.uk

16 MARCH – 14 MAY 2012 & 16 JULY – 6 OCTOBER 2012

Shakespeare’s joyful comedy of mistaken identity follows the fortunes of two sets of identical twins, accidentally separated at birth, then miraculously thrown together again. In a town the size of Ephesus, events like these can only lead to confusion.

The Comedy of Errors is directed by Amir Nizar Zuabi. Founder of the Palestinian theatre company ShiberHur, his productions for them include In The Penal Colony (Young Vic) and I Am Yusuf and This Is My Brother (Young Vic), which he wrote and directed.

Director: Amir Nizar ZuabiDesigner: Jon BausorLighting: Jon ClarkSound: Christopher Shutt

ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE

30 MARCH – 19 MAY 2012 & 13 JULY – 7 OCTOBER 2012

8 MARCH – 15 MAY 2012 & 12 JULY – 6 OCTOBER 2012

Shipwrecked on the shores of a strange land, Viola believes her twin brother Sebastian drowned. Disguising herself as a boy to work in the court of Count Orsino, she finds herself a go-between for the man she serves and the woman who refuses to love him.

David Farr directs both Twelfth Night and The Tempest. David is a playwright, screenwriter and stage director, whose plays have been performed all over the world. In recent years he has moved into film and television and recently co-wrote the film Hanna. Formerly Artistic Director of London’s Lyric Theatre and Bristol Old Vic, he is now an Associate Director of the RSC.

Director: David FarrDesigner: Jon BausorLighting: Jon ClarkSound: Christopher ShuttMusic: Adem Ilhan

ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE

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.

Director: David FarrDesigner: Jon BausorLighting: Jon ClarkSound: Christopher ShuttMusic: Adem Ilhan

ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE

by William Shakespeare A ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

PRODUCTION

by William Shakespeare A ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

PRODUCTION

by William Shakespeare A ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

PRODUCTION

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS TWELFTH NIGHT THE TEMPESTRICHARD IIIKING JOHNA SOLDIER IN EVERY SON – AN AZTEC TRILOGYROMEO AND JULIET IN BAGHDADTWO ROSES FOR RICHARD IIIJULIUS CAESARMUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHINGTROILUS AND CRESSIDAA MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (AS YOU LIKE IT)A TENDER THINGIN A PICKLE

I, CINNA (THE POET)

LONDON ROUNDHOUSE

TWO ROSES FOR RICHARD IIITHE COMEDY OF ERRORS TWELFTH NIGHTTHE TEMPEST

Members can now book for the following productions:

Priority BookingBe amongst the first to get tickets for our shows. Full Members receive up to four weeks Priority Booking.

Members’ NewsGet the latest news delivered directly to your door. Members’ News features information on forthcoming shows and RSC projects so you will be amongst the first in the know.

JOIN TODAY TO ENJOY ALL THE GREAT BENEFITS THAT COME WITH BEING AN RSC MEMBERby William Shakespeare

A ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY PRODUCTION

THE COURTYARD THEATRE

28 MAY – 7 JULY 2012

‘How many times Shall this our lofty scene be acted o’er In states unborn and accents yet unknown’

The dictator must be assassinated. But who will replace him? Shakespeare’s great political thriller finds dark contemporary echoes in modern Africa, directed by RSC Chief Associate Director Gregory Doran. Gregory’s most recent productions include Shakespeare’s‘lost play’ Cardenio, re-imagined as part of the RSC’s 50th birthday celebrations, as well as his 2008 production of Hamlet.

Director: Gregory DoranDesigner: Michael Vale

ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE

by William Shakespeare A ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

PRODUCTION

worldshakespearefestival.org.uk

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE

This vibrant and colourful production transposes Shakespeare’s vivacious, and at times unsettling, comedy of love and deceit to an Indian setting. Much Ado About Nothing is directed by Iqbal Khan whose recent credits include Broken Glass (Tricycle Theatre, 2011) and The Killing of Sister George (Arts Theatre, 2011). Meera Syal will play Beatrice. An actress, comedienne, writer and singer, she is perhaps best known as one of the creators of the radio and television series Goodness Gracious Me, in which she also appeared, as well as The Kumars at No. 42.

Director: Iqbal Khan

26 JULY – 15 SEPTEMBER 2012

DiscountsExclusive Members’ Ticket Packages are available for the World Shakespeare Festival.

Members also receive 10% discount at RSC cafes and bars, the Rooftop Restaurant and Bar and with RSC Short Breaks.

The TowerAs an RSC Member tickets for the viewing Tower are just £1 (non-Members £2.50) so you can come and enjoy the views whenever you visit.

Full Membership £40 per year

Associate Membership £18 per year

HOW TO JOIN Visit www.rsc.org.uk/joinus to join online, or call our Membership Office on 01789 403440 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm)

www.rsc.org.uk/joinus