ROMEO and JULIET

ROMEO and JULIET

Are you a Montague or a Capulet? It’s time to choose sides

Next month, Creation Theatre in partnership with Watford Palace Theatre presents the world’s most famous star-crossed lovers, fated to bring about their own tragic downfall, in an expansive multi-platform digital production of William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet.

Mixing LIVE real-time performance, pre-filmed scenes and choose your own adventure style gameplay the audience, in true Creation Theatre style, are at the very heart of the action. The show will be immersive, fast paced and intimate.

Fate and destiny skills will be put to the test upon entering Verona. Audiences will find themselves at the Capulet party, caught up in the drama they will journey through a multitude of different theatrical pathways and unlock secret moments and experiences. With at least one hundred possible variations, individuals will decide outcomes and see a unique and enthralling show influenced by their choices.

Romeo & Juliet marks Creation Theatre’s 9th online production but this will be the first that operates across a multitude of technologies and utilises different digital platforms. Director Natasha Rickman comments: “Digital theatre is now its own art form. The multiverse format is so freeing and the fact that our actors can perform multiple versions of scenes which can be viewed simultaneously by people all over the world is hugely exciting. Plus, for this special production we have amassed a hugely talented cast, which includes some of the UK’s leading Shakespearean actors.”

The 13-strong cast includes RSC Associate Artist Katy Stephens who has played almost every leading Shakespearian character at either the RSC or SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE, Sebastian Capitan Viveros who starred in Sweat (THE GIELGUD THEATRE, DONMAR WAREHOUSE), Clare Humphrey (BELGRADE THEATRE, BAC, WEST YORKSHIRE PLAYHOUSE, MERCURY THEATRE), and Dharmesh Patel (RSC, SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE) who is also one of Creation Theatre’s Rep actors alongside Kofi Dennis, Annabelle Terry (THEATRE ROYAL BURY ST EDMONDS, CREATION THEATRE’s The Tempest Live, BARN THEATRE) and Graeme Rose (STAN’S CAFÉ, RED SHIFT, KILN, BIRMINGHAM REP). Vera Chok (NATIONAL THEATRE, ALMEIDA, REGENTS PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE), Viss Elliot Savafi (RSC, THE GLOBE), Giles Stoakley, Andy Owens also join the line-up. Making their professional debuts are Harmony Rose Bremner and Lola Boulter. Harmony is a 2020 RADA graduate and Lola joined through the government’s Kickstarter scheme.

Costume and set design is by Ryan Dawson Laight and Movement Director Simon Pittman (CREATIVE ASSOCIATE AT FRANTIC ASSEMBLY) has choreographed the dance and fight scenes especially for the medium.

Brigid Larmour, Artistic Director, Watford Palace Theatre adds: “Watford Palace Theatre is thrilled to be partnering with Creation Theatre on this timely, accessible, and inventive production – a truly interactive digital show. Since lockdown began, we’ve been reaching out to collaborate with other companies and artists in our region digitally and – like theatre makers across the country – respond to the challenge in creative new ways. We can’t wait for audiences and families to immerse themselves in this exciting reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic love story!”


CAST

  • ROMEO – KOFI DENNIS
  • JULIET – ANNABELLE TERRY
  • CAPULET – GRAEME ROSE
  • LADY CAPULET – VERA CHOK
  • NURSE – KATY STEPHENS
  • TYBALT – SEBASTIAN CAPITAN VIVEROS
  • LADY MONTAGUE – VISS ELLIOT SAFAVI
  • BENVOLIO – HARMONY ROSE BREMNER
  • MERCUTIO – DHARMESH PATEL
  • SISTER JOAN/PETRA – LOLA BOULTER
  • SISTER LAUREN – CLARE HUMPHREY
  • PRINCE – GILES STOAKLEY
  • PARIS – ANDY OWENS

CREATIVE TEAM

  • DIRECTOR – NATASHA RICKMAN
  • MOVEMENT DIRECTOR – SIMON PITTMAN
  • SET AND COSTUME DESIGN – RYAN DAWSON LAIGHT
  • SOUND DESIGN – MATT EATON
  • VIDEO DESIGN – STU READ
  • STAGE MANAGER – JUDITH VOLK
  • PRODUCTION MANAGER – GILES STOAKLEY
  • PRODUCER: CHARLIE MORLEY

Rose

Rose

Coronation Street’s Maureen Lipman to star in digital revival of Olivier-nominated play, streaming worldwide on 10th, 11th & 12th September 2020

Award-winning stage and screen actress Maureen Lipman (Coronation Street, ITV; Celebrity Gogglebox, Channel 4; The Pianist) will star in an online revival of Martin Sherman’s Rose this September. The new production will be filmed and made available to download and stream online for three days only, in collaboration with the Hope Mill Theatre.

This sharply drawn portrait of a feisty Jewish woman blends the personal with the political as it traces Rose’s story from the devastation of Nazi-ruled Europe to conquering the American dream. Rose reflects on what it means to be a survivor. Her remarkable life began in a tiny Russian village, took her to Warsaw’s ghettos and a ship called The Exodus, and finally to the boardwalks of Atlantic City, the Arizona canyons, and salsa-flavoured nights in Miami beach.

This powerful one-woman tour-de-force by Martin Sherman (Bent, 1979) was nominated for an Olivier when it first premiered at the National Theatre in 1999. This new production, directed by Scott Le Crass (Country Music, Omnibus Theatre; Elmer, UK and International tour), in close collaboration with Sherman, is a moving reminder of some of the harrowing events that shaped the century. It remains sadly relevant today as racial tensions escalate, and allegations of antisemitism are rife.

Taking on the role made famous by Olympia Dukakis, Lipman is Rose, a woman shaped by her history. She offers an intimate and, at times, humorous account of the 20th century, and the ultimate triumph of humanity. This thought-provoking production acts as a caution, highlighting the importance of unity in the face of adversity, and the need to recognise and empathise with the suffering of others.

Maureen Lipman comments, “I always wanted to play Rose in Martin Sherman’s play but this is the first time I have been available -if you call working on Coronation Street at the same time as learning forty five pages of stunning dialogue, availability. It gives me a thrill to think I will be doing it for a cause as great as the future of the Hope Mill Theatre.”

The production is pleased to be streaming in support of three wonderful charities: Age UK, The Fed, and UK Jewish Film.


Show: Rose

Dates: Thursday 10th, Friday 11th and Saturday 12th September 2020

Tickets: Tickets are £8 (plus booking fee) and can be purchased online at hopemilltheatre.co.uk

Director: Scott Le Crass

Writer: Martin Sherman

Music: David Cullen

Video Editing: Channel Eighty 8

Corporate Sponsor: So Legal Solicitors

Rose: Maureen Lipman

Twitter: @Gingerqmedia, @Hopemilltheatr1

Instagram: @Gingerquiffmedia, @HopeMillTheatre

  • : current/future_show
  • : 41577
  • : (online) from Hope Mill Theatre, 113 Pollard St, Manchester
  • : 10/09/2020
  • : M47JA
  • : 12/09/2020
  • : North West
  • : Produced by Thomas Hopkins & Michael Quinn for Ginger Quiff Media and Hope Mill Theatre in association with Julian Stoneman for MPSI Ltd.
  • : https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/
  • : £8 (plus booking fee)
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