NSC Shakespeare Schools Pilot Project
The Reviews are in!
Left Lion
Eloise Gilmore in The Newark Advertiser
Eloise Gilmore in The Newark Advertiser
"The scene was set in the function room at Cleaver & Wake. A full house waited with baited breath. What ensued was truly awesome. Cat Prescott, (on her directing debut), opened proceedings with a dramatic and explosive start. Immediately the audience were gripped.
"Nottingham Shakespeare Company proceeded to enthral us with a highly entertaining, amusing and thought provoking take on this classic.
"...we were treated to an absolute belter of a roller coaster. It would be disingenuous of me to pick out any individual performances as all the players were first class ...
"I implore you to go and see these folk in future productions. I'm a convert."
Eloise Gilmore in The Newark Advertiser
Eloise Gilmore in The Newark Advertiser
Eloise Gilmore in The Newark Advertiser
"A rock and roll retelling of a Shakespeare classic brought love, heartbreak and death to the stage.
"Nottingham Shakespeare Company’... wowed the audience with an action packed production.
" Amid the grief of Shakespeare’s tale, Alex Chalk offered endless comedic respite as the overdramatic and outrageous nurse, and Toni Tailor-Bird presented moments of calm as well-meaning Friar Laurence "
Kev Castle
Eloise Gilmore in The Newark Advertiser
Kev Castle
"The cast are hypnotising ... It's what the Nottingham Shakespeare Company are like on every production.
"These two (Romeo & Juliet) rightly left the audience in complete silence with the intensity of the scene.
" The look that Toni gives ...is really heart-breaking.
" The passion, and then anger in this particular speech is almost like a virtual slap in the face for the audience.
" ...for anyone who still believes that Shakespeare is too difficult to understand, or is not for them, come see Nottingham Shakespeare Company, and their productions, because they will prove you wrong. "
Leicester to welcome Nottingham Shakespeare Company
Leicester Tour Date Added: Romeo and Juliet on Tour in East Midlands 7-17th February 2024
The Nottingham Shakespeare Company have announced a new venue for their February tour of Romeo and Juliet. Already due to visit the magical Southwell Minster for their finale on 17th February, the Nottingham Shakespeare Company will be coming to Leicester for their signature Shakespeare Saturday on 10th February 2024.
“Performing Shakespeare at the final resting place of Richard III has a special resonance obviously,” says Director, Cat Prescott, “but we are more excited by making our Leicester debut and bringing our brand of fast-paced, dynamic Shakespeare to a new audience. We want to renew or ignite everyone’s passion and excitement for this entertaining, heartbreaking and timeless story; bringing the heat of a wild Verona Summer to a wintery East Midlands so close to Valentine's Day!”
NSC Shakespeare Saturdays mean a free, no-frills matinee in the venue at 2pm, with minimal effects and costume, to which anyone can turn up, followed by Q&A and workshopping, before a full throttle evening show at 7pm.
NSC exists to bring quality, contemporary, accessible Shakespeare to fans and foes alike, particularly to people who – for whatever reason – have not found this before. “Our productions are fast – 90 minutes – no interval – and they are directed and performed with audience communication and interaction at the very heart.” says Artistic Director, Michelle-Louise Wright. “Shakespeare’s stories and ideas are so passionate, so visceral and so alive and we make sure that our audience is right on the edge of their seats, living those stories with us.”
Theatre is meant to be experienced on the stage, not the page: prepare to laugh, cry and be wowed by this talented cast of performers. Leave your preconceptions at the door as the Nottingham Shakespeare Company thrill you with their vibrant 2024 production of Romeo and Juliet that reaches beyond the classic "boy meets girl" narrative, telling a timeless and universal tale of passion, love and death.
See Romeo and Juliet in February 2024, free no-frills Saturday matinees at 2pm, evening performances at 7pm.
7th St John’s Church, Carrington NG5 2DP
8th Beeston Parish Church, Beeston NG9 1EJ
9th Newark Town Hall NG24 1DU
10th Leicester Cathedral LE1 5PZ
14th The Embankment Pub & Kitchen, Trent Bridge NG2 2GR
15th Ruddington Village Hall NG11 6BN
16th Cleaver & Wake, The Island Quarter, Nottingham NG2 3JL
17th Southwell Minster NG25 OHD
For tickets visit nottinghamshakespeare.eventbrite.comand information visit NottinghamShakespeare.co.uk
For rehearsal and promotional images please visit: http://tinyurl.com/NSCJan24Press
All photographic imagery credits Vapour Trail Photography (https://www.vapourtrailphotography.co.uk/)
Any queries or further information requests to PR@nottinghamshakespeare.co.uk
Nottingham Shakespeare Company presents Romeo and Juliet
Experience the Thrill of Love and Tragedy
[Nottingham, Friday 8th December 2023] – The Nottingham Shakespeare Company (NSC) is thrilled to unveil their latest masterpiece, a riveting production of Shakespeare's timeless tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. Following the resounding success of their summer 2023 hit, Much Ado About Nothing, NSC returns to captivate audiences with a dynamic 90-minute rendition that promises to be an unforgettable rollercoaster of emotions.
(Image left: Michelle-Louise Wright as Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing in Stratford-upon-Avon August 2023 ©Triskele Heritage)
Blending the classic tale of star-cross'd lovers with NSC's trademark edge-of-your-seat action, this production explores gender roles in a fractured society, dancing between passion and obsession, love and sexuality, life and death. Romeo and Juliet takes to the stage with a contemporary flair under the direction of founding NSC member Cat Prescott, making her Shakespearean directorial debut. She says, “This is the play that made me first fall in love with Shakespeare; I hope our audiences feel that same passion and enthusiasm as we reach beyond the classic 'boy meets girl' narrative. I can't wait to share my interpretation of this iconic tale."
(Image right: Ken Ogborn (Tybalt) and Laurence James-Davis (Mercutio) ©Derek McAllister)
Unveiling Fresh Talents: A Stellar Cast
NSC proudly introduces a new collection of exceptionally talented actors, featuring singer/songwriter Emily Ashberry and rising star Harriet Cadman as the eponymous tragic couple. The fiery Tybalt and provocative Mercutio are brought to life by Ken Ogborn and Laurence James-Davis, respectively. Michelle-Louise Wright and Toni Tailor-Bird make a triumphant return as Capulet and Friar Laurence, while Nottingham performance artists Elliot Mattingley and Alex Chalk shine as Benvolio and the Nurse. With Stage Combat Lead Olivia Newton as Lady Capulet and Director Cat Prescott also taking to the stage as Montague, this ensemble promises thrilling surprises and enchanting performances.
(Image left: Elliot Mattingley (Benvolio) and Ken Ogborn (Tybalt) ©Derek MacAllister)
Affordable Entertainment for All: Free No-Frills Matinees
NSC believes in making exceptional theatre accessible to everyone. Embrace the opportunity with concessionary tickets and enjoy free no-frills matinees on both Saturdays.
For more information and to secure your tickets, visit NottinghamShakespeare.co.uk.
(Image right: Toni Tailor-Bird (Friar Laurence) ©Derek MacAllister)
Tour Dates: An Unmissable Theatrical Journey
Prepare to be swept away by the passion, drama, and tragedy of "Romeo and Juliet." NSC invites you to join them on this unforgettable theatrical journey, leaving audiences both weeping and breathless.
See Romeo and Juliet in February 2024, free no-frills Saturday matinees at 2pm, evening performances at 7pm …
7th St John’s Church, Carrington
10th Belgrave Rooms, Nottingham
14th The Embankment Pub & Kitchen, Trent Bridge
16th Cleaver & Wake, The Island Quarter, Nottingham
(Image left: Olivia Newton (Lady Capulet and Fight Captain) ©Derek MacAllister)
COMING IN FEBRUARY 2024
Playing throughout Nottinghamshire with Pay What You Want Saturday matinees and schools performances, NSC's fresh, modern take on Shakespeare's classic tragedy plays with ideas of gender, society and normality to remind us all why it's still relevant today.
To enquire about Schools performances, Q&A and Workshop programming or for Press queries please email PR@nottinghamshakespeare.co.uk