Welcome to Nottingham Shakespeare Company
About Us
Ensuring Shakespeare Excellence: Enabling Universal Access
Dedicated to crafting quality, inclusive, and accessible Shakespeare experiences for all, we proudly stand as the only theatre company in the East Midlands exclusively devoted to the works of Shakespeare.
Our Achievements Thus Far:
- Put on 84 performances of 8 plays
- Performed to over 7000 enthusiastic audience members (total 7,043)
- Achieved consistent annual growth in audience attendance (average +43%)
- Attained substantial annual revenue growth since establishment (average +72%)
Our journey began in 2018, as a collective of theatre visionaries and educators disheartened by cries that: "Shakespeare's BORING!! It's Old English! It's RUBBISH!", we set out to explode this prejudice with top quality, interactive productions that captivate and resonate. Today, we frequently hear, "I thought I wouldn't like it but it was awesome!", "I thought it was difficult but it isn't, is it?", "I've never been into Shakespeare before but now..."
What sets our productions apart is their brevity - 90 minutes with no interval - laser-focused on communicating Shakespeare's vivid stories, characters, and language to those unacquainted with his genius. Operating as a tightly-knit ensemble, we strip everything back to the text, allowing characters and stories to blossom from Shakespeare's own words. Crucially, we measure our success by the engagement of our audience. Whether you're an ardent Shakespeare enthusiast or a newcomer, our dynamic, fast-paced shows promise to enthral. And for those who've been sceptical of the Bard, we're here to change your minds.
Breaking down barriers to Shakespeare is our vocation, particularly dismantling the socio-economic and cultural walls that pretend that Shakespeare is only for the wealthy elites. We fervently believe that Shakespeare belongs to all, and that anyone can find love in his works! We embrace unconventional theatre spaces, taking Shakespeare to the heart of communities. Our summer productions have, and always will be, freely accessible, with no barriers to participation. Even our ticketed events feature a dedicated allocation of pay-what-you-can tickets and minimal pricing for all.
We take pride in our active inclusivity, welcoming neurodiverse, disabled, and LGBTQ+ audiences and actors. Through our work, we champion diversity and ensure Shakespeare's timeless narratives resonate in every corner of our diverse communities.