Shakespeare comes to Royal William Yard

We love the Theatre at the Duke, as do our guests. With so many fantastic shows coming to the city we are truly blessed. We are particularly excited about the outdoor events being run by the Barbican Theatre. Imagine a hot summer’s evening (fingers crossed!) enjoying the fresh air with friends whilst watching a fantastic performance of one of the most popular Shakespeare plays and all in the incredible surroundings of the Royal William Yard. We cannot wait!

The Barbican Theatre have produced a full press release with all of the fabulous details:

Barbican Theatre are excited to announce the cast for their summer outdoor production of William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet at Royal William Yard from 5 – 21 August.

Probably the most famous of all the bard’s plays, Romeo & Juliet tells the story of two young star-crossed lovers whose ultimate sacrifice unites their feuding families.

One hundred and seventeen actors auditioned for the show and the final cast of eight includes a mixture of dynamism, long time experience and inspirational new comers from the region:
• Nix Rosewarne was a key member of Kneehigh International Theatre and part of the core team for WildWorks. She is an experienced professional specialising in site-based performance throughout the UK and Europe. With strong background in working with classic texts, Nix has been part of the creative team for a number of professional Shakespeare productions. These include Twelfth Night, Julius Caesar and Macbeth. Nix is currently Programme Leader HE Performing Arts at City College Plymouth.

• Mark Jardine, has extensive professional theatre experience and has recently finished an international tour of Mamma Mia. Mark has previously appeared in professional stage productions of Blood Brothers , Of Mice and Men, Waiting for Godot and Arcadia, in a number of UK venues including Nottingham Playhouse, Colchester Mercury, and Oldham Coliseum.

• Kate Hunter, has performed in a number of Shakespeare productions for stage, most recently as Tamora in Titus Andronicus and Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival. Her other work includes a tour with the ‘Young Shakespeare Company’ as Lady Macbeth, Juliet and Mercutio.

Joining Nix, Mark and Kate are a number of emerging artists from the region:

• Connor Reed played Lysander in Barbican Theatre’s acclaimed summer production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2015. Connor is also working with Devon Collaborative Outreach Network on an theatre commission encourage school leavers to consider higher education.

• JJ McCol appeared in A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2015 as Bottom. Recently JJ appeared in Everything Must Go by Giggling Flamingo as part of Plymouth Fringe Festival.

• Owen Lewis was a performer in the Spice Box in 2015; an innovative production commissioned by Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery.

The title roles will be filled Giorgio Kays and Holly Hewat, both in the final phase of their professional training.

Mark Laville, Director of Romeo & Juliet explains his casting choices,

“More than forty actors auditioned for professional roles in Romeo & Juliet and I was impressed with the quality of talent at our fingertips. Selecting Holly and Giorgio for the title roles was a great pleasure. Their acting, stage presence and chemistry were exceptional. I’m really looking forward to working with them to create an unforgettable theatre experience for residents and visitors to the city this summer ”.
When asked what it felt like to be chosen for one of the title roles Holly says,
“I was ecstatic and completely over the moon to be chosen to play Juliet.”

Barbican Theatre’s production of Romeo & Juliet will be a beautiful, heart rending, highly visual and accessible version of Shakespeare’s classic romance, perfect for the whole family. See it and you’ll fall in love forever!
A total of 16 performances will be staged outdoors in the Residence One ‘secret garden’ at Royal William Yard from 5 – 21 August:

5 – 7 August (7.30pm plus Sat 2.30pm matinee)
11 – 14 August, (7.30pm plus Sat & Sun 2.30pm matinees)
18 – 21 August (7.30pm plus Sat & Sun 2.30pm matinees)

A wet weather contingency, also in a unique location at Royal William Yard has been arranged.

Tickets are priced at Adult £14, Concession £11 (under 16s, students and over 60s), Family £44 (2 adults, 2 children). Plus buy 10 tickets and get the eleventh free! Buy tickets 24 hours a day on our website www.barbicantheatre.co.uk, in person at the Barbican Theatre (11am – 6pm Monday to Friday) or by calling 01752 267131 (11am – 6pm Monday to Friday).