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The bard comes to modern Britain in Unicorn festival

First Published 17 April 2008, Last Updated 18 April 2008

The Unicorn hosts children’s touring theatre company Theatre Centre this autumn in a mini festival entitled The Isle Is Full Of Noises. Through two productions and a series of workshops, the festival attempts to explore 21st century Britain in the context of Shakespeare, his language and world view.

The main production, aimed at children aged 14 and over, is Romeo In The City, by Amber Lone (25 September-6 October). Using Shakespearean verse and modern rhyme, dance, stage fighting and original music, this is a tale of young men, gangs, knives, rivalries and loyalties, as two families try to survive in modern Britain.

On 5 and 6 October Theatre Centre presents a collaboration between Bengali playwright Takbir Uddin and Young Apprentice writers from Morpeth and Oaklands secondary schools. Inspired by Shakespeare, this is a play about contemporary love. Suitable for theatregoers aged 11 and over.

During the festival a series of workshops will be held in the Foyle Studio, introducing participants to the language and writing of the bard. Performance poet and playwright Joseph Coelho leads Sonnets In The City (28 September), an introduction to performance poetry and the creation of lyrics; Tim Crouch, known for his one-man shows including I Caliban, leads a workshop on discovering Shakespeare in the 21st century (2 October); and Noel Greig explores the meaning of a sonnet in a workshop entitled Speaking A Sonnet (3 October). All workshops are aimed at participants aged 14 and over and the ticket price includes a performance of Romeo In The City.

Established in 1953, Theatre Centre commissions, produces and tours new theatre for children and young people to schools, colleges, theatres, arts centres and community spaces throughout the UK and abroad.

For more information about the festival visit www.unicorntheatre.com

CB

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