400 Year Commemoration
William Shakespeare Tang Xianzu
2016
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE TANG XIANZU 400 YEAR COMMEMORIATION
T
he William ShakespeareTang Xianzu 400 Year Commemoration is a unique programme of performing arts events and productions taking place across London, Stratfordupon-Avon, Edinburgh and various cities in China. It was established with the aim of marking the 400th year anniversary of the deaths of William Shakespeare and Tang Xianzu, and with the goal of continuing the success of the UKChina Year of Cultural Exchange. Tang Xianzu was a Ming dynasty playwright born in 1550’s China. He is considered China’s greatest playwright because of the unmatched quality of his writing, the sheer quantity of his work (some 2,200 poetry and prose), and the well-timed publication of his plays during the “golden age” of classical opera. William Shakespeare was born
5,000 miles away in Stratfordupon-Avon in 1564. He is widely accepted as the most successful playwright of all time. His plays have been performed more times than any other writer, his works translated into every major language, and his cultural influence is unsurpassed. Shakespeare and Tang were contemporaries of one another. The two have often been compared because of their shared values (both wrote about human ambition, endeavour, and emotion). Within the same year -1616- the two dramatists also passed away. This year signifies 400 years since this event and as part of this special programme commemorating their work, there will be a diverse range of companies and artists who will take to the stage to perform the playwrights’ works in different theatrical forms.
Introduction to
CHINESE OPERA
C
hinese opera is a traditional form of drama and musical theatre which originates from ancient China. The term “opera” is misleading as Westerners associate it with a full orchestra and characters that sing throughout. Instead, Chinese opera is more akin to a Western musical; it is a mixture of music, song, dance, martial arts, acrobatics, and literary art forms.
The way in which a performer of Chinese opera speaks, sings, moves, or dances is symbolic. They are not trying to undertake these actions exactly as they would be assumed in real life. A Western theatre production might focus on accurately portraying nature itself, a Chinese opera production would instead emphasize the beauty of nature through implication. This results in performers having to adhere to a variety of stylistic conventions to help their audiences navigate the plot. Actors will have different performance styles, costumes, and make-up so that an audience can differentiate between the various characters and stories.
There are numerous regional branches of Chinese opera, including: Peking, Yue, Yu, Huangmei, and Kunqu opera. Whilst they may differ in terms of musical style and dialect, they do share some commonalities between them. For example, Western theatre will go to some lengths to try to convince the audience member that what they are seeing onstage is in fact reality, whereas Chinese operas tend to ‘suggest’ reality by relying on mime and stage movement to encourage their audiences to use their imagination. A wave of a whip, for instance, can be enough to indicate a horse and the rowing of oars can conjure up the image of a boat.
This programme will showcase regional branches of Chinese opera: Kunqu, Ganju, and Yue. They have evolved continuously over time, learning and borrowing from one another, resulting in the unique art form we see today. This is a process that will continue as while it is keeping its distinguishing features, Chinese opera is starting to borrow from Western theatre and move into the modern world. -2-
SHOWS Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe
Coriolanus and Du Liniang Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe
Romeo and Juliet Jiangxi Ganju Opera Troupe
A Medley of Four Dreams of Linchuan Ludens Ensemble
Macbeth: Without Words Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupe
The Peony Pavilion National Ballet of China
The Peony Pavilion ST@UIBE
A Midsummer Night’s DREAMING stage@leedscompany
DREAMING Under the Southern Bough Shijia Drama Club, Chongqing Bashu & Chongqing Foreign Language School
Little Shakespeare Shanghai Theatre Academy
As You Like It The Malachites
Hamlet -3-
UK
Jiangxi Ganju Opera Troupe
Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupe
Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe
Chongqing Bashu School
Ludens Ensemble
Chongqing Foreign Language School
stage@leedscompany
Shijia Drama Club
Shanghai Theatre Academy
ST@UIBE
stage@leedscompany
Shanghai Theatre Academy National Ballet of China Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe The Malachites
-4-
China
ST@UIBE
National Ballet of China Shijia Drama Club
Chongqing Bashu School
Ludens Ensemble
Chongqing Foreign Language School Shanghai Theatre Academy Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupe
Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe
Jiangxi Ganju Opera Troupe
The Malachites
-5-
-6-
Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe
Coriolanus and Du Liniang
I
n an all-female production, the Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe interweave Shakespeare’s Coriolanus with Tang Xianzu’s The Peony Pavilion, introducing the two lead characters to each other onstage in a dream. Coriolanus is the story of a Roman general who finds himself banished by his own people, whereas Tang Xianzu’s The Peony Pavilion is the tale of a young girl who dreams of a lover she is yet to meet. This innovative new production blends Shakespeare’s destructive tragedy with Tang Xianzu’s love story. Whilst Coriolanus makes a decision that ultimately costs him his life, Du Liniang’s heartbroken death is a sign of hope to be resurrected with her love once more.
Coriolanus: Mao Weitao; Li Xiaowen Volumnia: Chen Huiling Virgilia: Zhang Yiqing Menenius Agrippa: Wu Chunyan Young Martius: Chen Liya Senior Statesman A: Lou Yali Senior Statesman B: Wei Chunfang Soldier A: Chen Yina Soldier B: Kong Liping Tullus Aufidius: Shao Yan Du Liniang: Xu Yena; He Qingqing Liu Mengmei: Mao Weitao; Li Xiaowen Chun Xiang: He Qingqing Shi Daogu: Xie Chan Black & White Envoys: Zheng Xiao; Yang Yun Judge: Zhang Yu Director: Guo Xiaonan Script: Shen Lin; Hu Xiaohai Music: Chen Guoliang; Weng Chigeng; Liu Jiankuan; Chen Shangqing; Ren Feng Lighting Designer: Wu Wei Stage Designer: Huang Haiwe
The Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe are headed by Artistic Director and well-respected Yue opera performing artist, Mao Weitao. They have performed around the world in many continents and countries, such as: the USA, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.
Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, London, WC2A 2HT Sat 23 + Sun 24 July 19:00pm £10 | £18 | £28 | £36 020 7863 8222 www.coriolanusandduliniang.com
-7-
-8-
Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe
Romeo and Juliet
O
ne of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, Romeo and Juliet, is retold in traditional Kunqu opera style by the Hunan troupe and is directed by the award-winning Chinese director Wang Xiaoying. Wang is known for his critically acclaimed production of Richard III at Shakespeare’s Globe. His work has been praised by international audiences and critics. He has served as both the Vice President and Artistic Director of China’s National Theatre. As one of the oldest forms of Chinese opera, Kunqu predates Shakespeare’s play by around 200 years. It is noted for its graceful melodies and picturesque poetry, and is often described as being one of the most emotionally-stirring forms of opera. It is therefore a good fit for Shakespeare’s tragic romance about a pair of young lovers. In Shakespeare’s play, Juliet falls in love with Romeo, the son of her family’s sworn enemies: the Montagues. Although the two defy their constrictions to be with one another, it will ultimately be their deaths that will reunite their feuding families.
Romeo: Wang Fuwen Juliet: Zhang Xin Director: Wang Xiaoying Assistant Director: Chen Tao Script Adaptation: Chen Chao Music Director: Zhou Xuehua Lighting Designer: Zhou Zhengping Costume Designer: Peng Dinghuang Choreographer: Ji Qiao Art Director: Luo Yan Coordinator: Wang Yongsheng; Li Youkun Drummer: Chen Linfeng Flute: Jiang Feng
Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe was formed in 1960 as one of seven opera companies set up to carry on and progress the beautiful Chinese art of Kunqu opera. They have achieved the feat of being named the most famous performing arts troupe in China – a title given by China’s Cultural Communication Bureau. Their prestigious reputation has followed them across all of Asia, performing in Beijing, Hong Kong, Macao, Japan, and Singapore as well as further afield in the UK, Estonia, and Latvia.
New Town Theatre, Venue 7, Freemasons’ Hall, 96 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3DH (Mysterious) Sun 7 - Tues 9 August 11:30am £10 | (£5 concs) 0131 220 0143 www.TheNewWeeTheatre.co.uk
-9-
- 10 -
Jiangxi Ganju Opera Troupe
A Medley of Four Dreams of Linchuan
C
hinese playwright, Tang Xianzu, wrote four plays in the 16th century which have since been referred to as the Four Dreams of Linchuan. Their plots vary but the subject of dreams is a theme which ties them all together. They contain some of the most beautiful and moving scenes now rendered into traditional Gan opera - a form of Chinese theatre which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance, and acrobatics. Gan opera is characterized by its often elaborate and colourful costumes, which are used to help the audience navigate the plot. The troupe will perform a selection of scenes from three of the Dreams: The Purple Hairpin: a tale of two lovers destined to be together; Record of Handan: the rejection of democratic politics; and The Peony Pavilion: the story of a romance which cannot be extinguished by death.
The Peony Pavilion Zhu Yingying, Shen Huailin, Wu Ting, Huang Zhiqian Director: Xu Chunlan Script Adaptation: Shi Linghe Music Director: Wang Shiren; Cheng Nanhao; Li Zhongcheng Stage Designer: Luo Jiangtao Lighting Designer: Zhao Tong Record of Handan Li Weide, Zhan Hong, Zhou Xia, Zhan Qi, Li Peng, Zhou Wei, Xiong Yunpeng Director: Deng Anqi Script Adaptation: Tao Xuehui Music Director: Xie Nanshi Stage Designer: Luo Jiangtao Lighting Designer: Zhao Tong Choreographer: Zhu Xiaohui The Purple Hairpin Yang Kaizhen, Huang Haihong, Wu Ting, Li Weide Director: Liu Anqi Script Adaptation: Huang Wenxi Music Director: Li Zhongcheng Stage Designer: Luo Jiangtao Lighting Designer: Zhao Tong
New Town Theatre, Venue 7, Freemasons’ Hall, 96 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3DH (Mysterious) Thurs 11 - Tues 16 August 11:30am £10 | (£5 concs) 0131 220 0143 www.TheNewWeeTheatre.co.uk
- 11 -
Jiangxi Ganju Opera Troupe was established in 1953 and is the only classical opera company to preserve and perform the Yiyang tune – one of the most famous opera tunes of the Ming dynasty. They are the first Jiangxi opera troupe of their kind to perform abroad and have received numerous awards over the years for their performances, including: the Cultural Prize, New Drama Prize, Feitian Prize, and Meihua Prize.
- 12 -
Ludens Ensemble
Macbeth: Without Words
M
acbeth: Without Words is a stylised production which utilises visual technology, such as video mapping and animation, to turn Shakespeare’s words about an ambitious Scottish general into movements, gestures, sounds, images and music onstage. The production is underlined by a DJ set and creates a canvas of images that draw upon Brechtian techniques and film aesthetics from the silent era, offering up a powerful and alternative interpretation of Shakespeare’s tragic tale.
Male Performer: Adam Tompa Male Performer: Dylan Read Female Performer: Persefoni Stefania Gerangelou Director: Philippos Philippou Second Director, Dramaturge & DJ: Vangelis Makriyannakis Producer: Emily Danby Stage & Costume Designer: Alice Wilson Visual Artist: Moyra Campbell Assistant Visual Artist: Craig Kirk Lighting Designer: Brian Hutchison
Shanghai Performances: Shanghai Theatre Academy September (TBD)
Edinburgh Performances: ZOO, Venue 124, 140 The Pleasance, EH8 9RR Sun 14 - Mon 29 August 16:00pm £12 | (£10 concs) 0131 662 6892 www.zoofestival.co.uk
- 13 -
Ludens Ensemble is an Edinburghbased theatre group run by local and international artists, who create original performances with the aid of video art, animation, masks, puppets and music. Through their Artistic Director, Philippos Philippou, the company gains a Greek connection and have taken their radical play Macbeth: Without Words to both Pafos and Limassol, Cyprus. The group has also collaborated with Pafos 2017, European Capital of Culture to work on two projects: Collective Memory (which includes a multimedia version of Alfred Jarry’s Ubu Roi) and Forbidden Stories (a piece based on the testimonies of Greek and Turkish Cypriots recounting the War of 1974).
- 14 -
Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupe
The Peony Pavilion
O
ne of Tang Xianzu’s most popular plays, The Peony Pavilion, is perhaps the most famous example of Kunqu opera and depicts the love story between Du Liniang, a sixteen-year-old girl, and Liu Mengmei, a young scholar, who first meet each other in a dream. Upon awakening from her springtime slumber, Du Liniang believes she will never see her love again but not even death can prevent her from being with the person she loves. The story pays tribute to the braveness of China’s young, who fought for freedom and love in their objection to feudalism.
Liu Mengmei: Zeng Jie Du Liniang: Hu Ping Chun Xiang: Bai Yun Judge: Hu Linan Shi Taoist Nun: Zhu Bin Director: Lin Weilin Choreographer: Zhu Xiaohui
New Town Theatre, Venue 7, Freemasons’ Hall, 96 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3DH (Mysterious) Fri 19 – Wed 24 August 11:30am £10 | (£5 concs) 0131 220 0143 www.TheNewWeeTheatre.co.uk
- 15 -
The company was founded in 1955 by renowned Kunqu masters: Zhou Chuanying, Wang Chuansong, and Zhu Guoliang. The troupe has visited countries all over the world including the USA, France, Sweden, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and the UK. In 2012, they were honored to be asked to play to over 30 embassies and overseas Chinese organizations at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
- 16 -
National Ballet of China
The Peony Pavilion
T
he National Ballet of China and The National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra present a lavish two act ballet which combines Western-style choreography with traditional Chinese influences. The production, directed by Li Liuyi and choreographed by Fei Bo, tells the story of The Peony Pavilion - an epic tale of enduring love. Originally performed as a Kunqu opera in a 20 hour cycle, Li and Fei have achieved the difficult feat of transforming the 16th century work from one performance medium to another. This fusion ballet’s score is composed by Guo Wenjing and references Holst, Prokofiev and Debussy.
Director: Li Liuyi Choreographer: Fei Bo Composer: Guo Wenjing
Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TN Tues 29 November – Sat 3 December 19.30pm on Tues 29 November - Sat 3 December 14.30pm on Sat 3 December (matinee) £12| £20|£28| £38| £45 020 7863 8000 www.sadlerswells.com
- 17 -
The National Ballet of China was founded in December 1959 and stages internationally recognised Western ballets as well as creating its own works, distinctive of its nation’s artistic characteristics. The company consists of leading figures in dancing, choreography, music, and directing. It has gone on to achieve much fame for its performances and is noted for its ability to fuse modern and classical styles. With a repertoire of 200 ballets, the organisation is seen as being an important cultural envoy for China but its work is also kept close to home as the company educates on and promotes the subject of ballet to Chinese communities, children, and universities.
- 18 -
ST@UIBE
A Midsummer Night’s DREAMING
B
eijing’s award-winning ST@UIBE company present Shakespeare’s classic tale of love and misunderstanding in a dramatic new light. Mixing traditional Chinese theatre techniques and contemporary staging, the company uses Shakespeare’s comedy about a group of mismatched suitors to examine love, gender politics and the changing role of women in contemporary Chinese society. As part of the cultural partnership between the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) and the University of Leeds, this production will be performed back-to-back with DREAMING Under the Southern Bough.
Hermia: Sun Yunqi Lysander: Han Nianxin Demetrius: Sun Bingchang Helena: Chen Ruqing Spirit of Sensitivity: Xiong Jingwen Spirit of Moderation: Sun Shizhong Spirit of Sense: Huang Yangxin Director: Li Jun Executive Producer: Xu Wenbing Assistant Producers: Huang Gelin; Zhang Weijie Script Adaptation: Wang Bingying; Li Jun; Lucy Nordberg Music Director: Zhang Guokun Stage Manager: Wang Bingying Set Design: Wang Qixu Costume: Sun Weiqi; Liu Ying Performance Advisor: Sha Zuoying
The University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) is the official partner of the Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds. It was established in Beijing, China in 1951 and has a student body of over 3,000 pupils from 120 different countries. The university offers a range of 40 different majors, specializing in subjects such as economics and foreign languages. Since the year 2000 it has maintained a tradition of sending a collection of students to perform different Shakespearean plays in English to overseas audiences and festivals.
theSpace @ Niddry St, Venue 9, Niddry Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1TH Fri 5 – Sat 13 August (not 7) 10:00am £7 | (£5 concs) 0131 510 2383 www.thespaceuk.com
- 19 -
- 20 -
stage@leedscompany
DREAMING Under the Southern Bough
I
n a cross-cultural production, stage@ leedscompany present the first theatrical adaptation of Tang Xianzu’s influential work, Dreaming Under the Southern Bough. It is a dynamic, contemporary reinterpretation, following the story of one man’s search for enlightenment in the kingdom of the ants. Charles ‘Chunny’ Fenn is an ex-soldier unsure about his future and haunted by the memories of his past. On an isolated island, with his two closest friends, he embarks on a surreal journey that will change his life. This production is performed in association with A Midsummer Night’s DREAMING. Students from the University of Leeds are working with the creative team at the University of International Business and Economics in China; together they are producing contemporary responses to two great plays, from each other’s culture, by Tang Xianzu and William Shakespeare.
Charles Fenn/Chunyu: George Clifford Princess Yaofang: Milly Stell Itty/Nun: Rebekkah Pattison Qiongying/Nun/Ant 843: Theresa Hyde Sam: Liam Ashmore Maya: Ellice Price Juana/Ant 24602: Cao Xinyi Prince Rattan Sandalwood/Ant 1616: Rachel Turner Queen Ant/Rattan Sandalwood Warrior: Arlie Haslam Director: Steve Ansell Executive Producer: Li Ruru Assistant Producers: Zhao Yelin; Wu Fan Script Adaptation: Adam Strickson; Steve Ansell Translation & Subtitles: Yang Long Set Design: Steve Ansell & Helen Russell-Brown Lighting Operator: Johnny Dowsett Costume: Sophie Barnett; Allana Marsh Technical Support: Natalie McLoughlin; Andrew Mills; Ian Lindley; Jess Rowland Project Interns: Hu Xiaoting; Tu An-sheng
stage@leedscompany are headed by Artistic Director, Steve Ansell, the director of the National Theatre’s production of DNA by Dennis Kelly. The company are involved in practiceled research productions, teaming up with other educational institutions across the world, including their cultural partner, the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE).
theSpace @ Niddry St, Venue 9, Niddry Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1TH Fri 5 – Sat 13 August (not 7) 10:55am £7 | (£5 concs) 0131 510 2383 www.thespaceuk.com
- 21 -
- 22 -
Shijia Drama Club, Chongqing Bashu and Chongqing Foreign Language School
Little Shakespeare
T
hree of Shakespeare’s best scenes from three of his most well-known plays are performed by the 10 to 15-yearold children from China’s top schools. Shijia Drama Club, Chongqing Bashu and Chongqing Foreign Language School are amongst China’s greatest educational institutions known for their high standard of education and passion for theatre. Here they present three iconic scenes from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet, and King Lear in 20 minutes each. This is a brilliant family-friendly take on some of Shakespeare’s classics.
Shijia Drama Club: Kong Xiangqi, Zhan Bohan, Zeng Jingren, Wang Tianxu, Wang Yibo, Xiao Jinghan,Wang Tianyi, Cheng Qihang, Li Ruogu, Yang Shaowen, Qiu Jiahao, Zhang Mingxiao, Long Jiahao, Deng Zhexuan, Zhu Xi’ao, Zhan Yiyang, Song Jiayin, Bai Yilin, Wang Qiaoyi, Li Zhuoning, Zhao Jiaqi, Wu You, Yang Tianyu, Wu Wanxi, Wang Xile, Zhu Yumeng, Han Yimeng, Zong Yiru.
Chongqing Bashu School: Li Yifei, Wei Junxi, Zhao Jingyu, Zhao Xinyan, Jiang Junqi, Sehn Shiyi, Yang Shiqi, Sun Han, Tan Xinyue, Zhang Yifan, Dai Yiman, He Yueer, Liu Lifei, He Weixi, Zhou Zhimo, Huang Siyuan, Zhang Zhiyu, Chen Hongrui, Cai Mingjun, Liu Liyuan, Li Jigang.
Chongqing Foreign Language School: Dai Xuanjin, Xiang Shizhen, Yang Tianci, Luo Jiayin, Dong Xingying, Lan Yuchun, Wang Hanbing , Li Yulin, Liang Chen, Hu Zhijie, Yang Hanran, Tang Beijing, Zhang Taiqi, Wang Yashu, Fan Naixin, Liao Jingying, Gao Ya, Qin Yuxin, Huang Tingyi, Ye Zihe, Du Yue, Liu Yaxin, Huang Yanqi, Long Yinyin, Luo Hanzhi, Gao Mingyu.
Shijia Drama Club was established in October 2013, giving children from Beijing’s Shijia Primary School the chance to work on international theatre projects. Chongqing Bashu School’s students are developing their talent for singing, language, and dance, and Chongqing Foreign Language School’s students are matching their proficiency for academia with their passion for theatre.
Spotlites, Venue 278, 22 - 26 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2PQ (Create Theatre) Sat 6 August 10:00am £5 | (£3.50 concs) 0131 240 2784 www.spotlites.co.uk
- 23 -
- 24 -
Shanghai Theatre Academy
As You Like It
T
he Directing Department students of the Shanghai Theatre Academy have reimagined Shakespeare’s comedy, As You Like It, by setting it in 1920’s China rather than 16th century France. They are directed by former Principal of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Nicholas Barter, who has served as the Artistic Director of The Unicorn Theatre for Children, winning awards for both his directing and producing. This is a complete retelling of a classic story as the students have included elements of Chinese history, such as traditional Chinese etiquette, classical music, and popular costumes of the time in their staging of the play.
Rosalind: Su Xingyue Orlando: Zhao Kedi Celia: Cheng Fan Oliver: Dong Xuanhan Duke Frederick: Gu Siqi Duke Senior/Charles: Xia Zi’ao Touchstone: Cui Xianhe Amiens: Han Ting Jaques: Wang Hanlin Lord A: Wu Junxiao Lord B: Li Xiang Lord C: Chen Meiwen Corin: Du Chenglang Phoebe: Liu Han Director: Nicholas Barter
London Performances: George Wood Theatre, Goldsmith’s College, University of London, 8 Lewisham Way, New Cross, London, SE14 6NW Tues 9 August 19:30pm
Shanghai Theatre Academy is one of the most prestigious educational institutions for theatre and the performing arts in China. It trains a large number of students who will go on to become leaders in their fields in areas such as theatre, opera, film, and television. As a company they are very much representative of the ambitions and enthusiasm for drama expressed by China’s young generation.
Edinburgh Performances: Spotlites, Venue 278, 22 - 26 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2PQ (Create Theatre) Sat 13 August 13:00pm £5 | (£3.50 concs) 0131 240 2784 www.spotlites.co.uk
- 25 -
- 26 -
The Malachites
Hamlet
W
illiam Shakespeare’s masterpiece and his best known play, Hamlet, is performed by a unique British theatre company: The Malachites. Known for their site-specific work, having taken over church buildings to historic gardens, the company is now set to bring Hamlet to China’s Guangzhou Drama Theatre. Hamlet is a tragedy which has captivated audiences across the world for hundreds of years. It is the story of a Danish prince, who learns of his father’s death and arrives home to find his uncle has married his mother and is now installed on the Danish throne. When the ghost of Hamlet’s father visits the prince and informs him that he was in fact murdered by his own brother, a series of vengeful murderous actions are set into motion.
Hamlet: Anatole Gadsby Claudius/Ghost: Charles Rodgers Gertrude: Zara Banks Ophelia: Fiona Hardy Horatio: Claire Dunlop Polonius/Osric: Nicholas Trumble Laertes/Rosencrantz: Paul Giles Gravedigger/Guildenstern: Benjamin Blyth Director: Benjamin Blyth Stage Manager: Claire Dunlop Assistant Stage Manager: Paul Giles Sound Designer: Benjamin Blyth Lighting Designer: Benjamin Blyth Costume Designer: Benjamin Blyth; Fiona Wilson Movement Director: Benjamin Blyth Set Design: Benjamin Blyth; Guangzhou Drama Theatre Set Construction: Guangzhou Drama Theatre Fight Director: Orla Jackson Voice Coach: Nick Trumble Properties: Charles Cromwell
The Malachites was founded in June 2013 and is based in Shoreditch, England. It was established with the unique mission of creating incredible theatre and reconnecting Shakespeare’s plays to the area in which he lived and worked.
Guangzhou Dramatic Arts Centre, No.13, Sha He Ding Xin Er Jie, Guangzhou Fri 8 - Sun 10 July 19:45pm on 8 + 9 July. 15:00pm on 10 July www.themalachites.co.uk
- 27 -
Special Thanks to:
The Cultural Office at the Embassy of China in the UK The Centre of International Cultural Exchange All the performing artists, companies and venues; all the consultants, staff, and interns who have worked on this project
Media Support:
Oushinet, ART.ZIP Produced by:
Performance Infinity
www.shakespeare-tang400.org