The Royal Shakespeare Company is to bring two productions specially created for children and families to London’s Roundhouse later this year.
Hamlet and The Comedy Of Errors, created as part of the RSC’s Young People’s Shakespeare programme, will play two performances each as part of the RSC’s 10-week residency in Camden from November.
Acclaimed young American playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney (The Brothers Size, In The Red And Brown Water) has co-edited – with Bijan Shebani – and directs Hamlet, Shakespeare’s tragedy about the eponymous Danish prince struggling with feelings of vengeance towards the uncle he believes murdered his father.
The Comedy Of Errors, the bard’s humorous play of confusion and mistaken identity, is created in association with innovative theatre company Told By An Idiot, whose productions include The Fahrenheit Twins and Casanova. The company’s co-founder, Paul Hunter, directs.
Hamlet (18 December and 26 January) and The Comedy Of Errors (21 December and 1 February) play at the Roundhouse alongside six other Shakespeare plays, all performed by the RSC’s current 44-strong ensemble.
The RSC last visited the Roundhouse in 2008 to present Shakespeare’s eight History plays, which earned the company a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Company Performance. For its new season the RSC will recreate the thrust stage and 750-seat auditorium within the confines of the Roundhouse, replicating the Courtyard theatre in Stratford where the productions originated.
Marcus Davey, Chief Executive and Artistic Director, Roundhouse, commented: “The RSC’s dazzling staging of The Histories at the Roundhouse was one of the landmark theatre events of 2008. We’re delighted to be welcoming the company back and look forward to more outstanding Shakespeare for our audiences to enjoy, as well as working together on projects that meet our shared commitment to offering creative opportunities for young people.”
CB