News and Reviews in and around Stratford-upon-Avon
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Book accommodation at www.virginialodge.co.uk 10% discount to RSC ticket holders A Roman General returns from a brutal ten year war to bury the sons he has lost in conflict. To honour their deaths he executes the eldest child of his enemies’ Queen. The end of the war and this final act of sacrifice is not the end of bloodshed. A chain of murder and retribution engulfs Rome as Titus struggles to escape the horror of violent deeds done in a violent world. Michael Fentiman makes his RSC debut directing Shakespeare’s early revenge tragedy. The Empress RSC Stratford upon AvonBook accommodation at www.virginialodge.co.uk 10% discount to RSC ticket holders Uncover the remarkable hidden stories of ayah Rani and servant Abdul Karim as Tanika Gupta’s new play brings Victorian London to life in a way never seen before. It is Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, 1887. At Tilbury Docks, Rani Das and Abdul Karim step ashore after the long voyage from India. One has to battle a society who deems her a second class citizen, the other forges an astonishing entanglement with the ageing Queen who finds herself enchanted by stories of an India she rules but has never seen. Blending the true story of Queen Victoria’s relationship with Abdul Karim with the experiences of the Indian ayahs who came to Britain during the nineteenth century, The Empress brings a hidden part of British history gloriously to life. As you like it RSC Stratford upon AvonBook accommodation at www.virginialodge.co.uk 10% discount for RSC ticket holders When Rosalind and Orlando are banished from the oppressive court, they are forced to run for their lives into the wild depths of the Forest of Arden. However, in that harsh, lyrical wilderness, they discover an unexpected freedom, and as their anarchic love story unfolds, Arden bursts into summer. Maria Aberg directs following her riotous production of King John in the Swan Theatre as part of the World Shakespeare Festival. Music for the production is composed by Laura Marling. The English musician has been nominated twice for the Mercury Music Prize and won the Best Female Solo Artist at the 2011 Brit Awards. Shakespeare Houses half price ticketsVisiting Stratford upon Avon? Guests staying at Virginia Lodge get half price tickets for Shakespeare’s Houses. to book accommodation go to www.virginialodge.co.uk There are 3 in the town, The Birthplace, Halls Croft & New Place & Ann Hathaway’s Cottage, which is a 20 minute walk behind Virginia Lodge. To see how & where Shakespeare lived & wrote great plays, these properties are a must see. They are great examples of Tudor Architecture & 2 of them have great cafes.
RSC ticket holders, 10% discount at Virginia Lodge StratfordGoing to the RSC in Stratford upon Avon? book a room at www.virginialodge.co.uk or Tel 01789 292157 Save 10% on your accommodation by showing us your tickets. Go and see ‘As you like it’ starts 20th April 2013 When Rosalind and Orlando are banished from the oppressive court, they are forced to run for their lives into the wild depths of the Forest of Arden. However, in that harsh, lyrical wilderness, they discover an unexpected freedom, and as their anarchic love story unfolds, Arden bursts into summer. Maria Aberg directs following her riotous production of King John in the Swan Theatre as part of the World Shakespeare Festival. Peter Pan & Wendy, RSC Stratford upon Avonbook accommodation at www.virginialodge.co.uk 10% DISCOUNT for RSC ticket holders Winter 1909. Snow is falling across London. Wendy Darling and her two brothers sleep peacefully in the bedroom, as their parents bicker downstairs. In a sudden flurry of snow their window blows open, and into their lives tumbles a mischievous boy called Peter. Shortly followed by a very fractious fairy by the name of Tink. In the magical Peter Pan, Wendy sees not only a great adventure, but also a chance to rediscover the key to her parents’ lost happiness. With the aid of a little fairy dust she agrees to fly with Peter to Neverland. There she will give the Lost Boys a run for their money, defeat Captain Hook and his pirate crew, and ultimately, learn what it means to grow up. JM Barrie’s classic tale of the boy who never grows up is adapted in a spectacular new version by Ella Hickson book accommodation at www.virginialodge.co.uk Bring up the bodies, RSC Stratford uponn avon 19th Dec 2013A new dramatisation of Hilary Mantel’s Man Booker Prize winning novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies plays in two parts this season in the Swan Theatre. book accommodation at www.virginialodge.co.uk 10% DISCOUNT for RSC ticket holders Anne Boleyn is now Queen, her path to Henry’s side cleared by Cromwell. But Henry remains without a male heir, and the conflict with the Catholic Church has left England dangerously isolated as France and the Holy Roman Empire ominously manoeuvre for position. When the King begins to fall in love with the seemingly plain Jane Seymour, Cromwell must negotiate an increasingly dangerous court as he charms, bullies and manipulates nobility, commoners and foreign powers alike to satisfy Henry, keep the nation safe, and advance his own ambitions. Great book which I highly recommend. book accommodation at www.virginialodge.co.uk Wolf Hall RSC Stratford upon Avon 11 Dec 2013book accommodation in Stratford on Avon at www.virginialodge.co.uk 10% DISCOUNT for RSC ticket holders A new dramatisation of Hilary Mantel’s Man Booker Prize winning novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies plays in two parts this season in the Swan Theatre. England in 1527. Henry VIII has been King for almost 20 years and is desperate for a male heir. Intent on divorce he demands that Cardinal Wolsey persuade the Pope to grant him an annulment. With every month that passes without progress the King’s anger grows. Into this volatile court enters the commoner Thomas Cromwell. A one-time mercenary, master-politician, lawyer and doting father, he sets out to grant the King his desire whilst methodically and ruthlessly pursuing his own reforming agenda. Fantastic book which I highly recommend. If you love books about the Tudor period, also read ‘The Winter King’ by Thomas Penn. Its the story of Henry V11 book accommodation in Stratford on avon at www.virginialodge.co.uk Hamlet RSC Stratford upon AvonTo book accommodation go to www.virginialodge.co.uk 10% DISCOUNT for RSC ticket holders Hamlet’s father is dead. He suspects his uncle of murder but has no proof. He fears his mother’s involvement but dare not confront her. If his suspicions are correct he has a duty to avenge his father, but if he strikes down an innocent man he risks eternal damnation. RSC Associate Director David Farr directs Jonathan Slinger in the title role following their celebrated collaboration on the World Shakespeare Festival productions of Twelfth Night and The Tempest. First 2 nights have had very good reviews. RSC ticket holders get 10% discount at Virginia Lodge , tel 01789 292157 Richard 11 RSC Stratford upon AvonVisiting Stratford ? book accommodation at www.virginialodge.co.uk 10% DISCOUNT for RSC ticket holders Starts 10th October 2013 Richard is King. A monarch ordained by God to lead his people. But he is also a man of very human weakness. A man whose vanity threatens to divide the great houses of England and drag his people into a dynastic civil war that will last 100 years. RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran directs David Tennant in the title role. Richard II is the first production in a new cycle of Shakespeare’s History plays, directed by Gregory, that will be performed over the coming seasons. David is joined in the company by Oliver Ford Davies, who also appeared with him in the acclaimed 2008 Hamlet.
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