This February Midland Players, are back on stage with the premiere of a newly published play which reimagines one of Shakespeare’s most well-known works.
Writing to please his patron, Elizabeth I, and relying on sources which supported the Tudor portrayal of Richard III as a usurper of the throne of England and mass murdering tyrant, Shakespeare crafted one of the most monstrous villains of literature – a physically deformed fiend that came to supplant the Richard of history! How different might that play be if Shakespeare wrote it today, with access to all the historical information now available, and at no risk of losing his head? That is the question which Crookback – Shakespeare’s ‘Richard III’ Rebooted seeks to answer.
With updated language, and the long boring bits removed (!), ‘Crookback’ is Shakespeare for people who think they don’t like Shakespeare, and even though this version of ‘Richard III’ may be missing a hunchback, audiences can expect duplicitous rogues plotting to seize the throne, doomed romance, rolling heads, and dark comedy!
This great show runs from Weds. 15th to Sat. 18th Feb. at Sheffield University Drama Studio, Shearwood Road, S10 2TD,
North Norfolk Chamber Opera isdelighted to present Monteverdi’s opera from 1642, The Coronation of Poppea.
Monteverdicomposed his late masterpiece with church performance in mind, and reflecting this, our performances will take place in St. Margaret’s Church, Cley-Next-the-Sea on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 12th, 13th and 14th May at 7pm.
Our fully staged, fully costumed and fully acted production will be performed in the round, giving the audience an exciting and immersive theatrical experience. The audience is restricted to 75 per evening, so do please book early.
Our Music Director is Mark Jones, twice winner of the Adrian Boult conducting scholarship and for 21 years, Music Director of Gresham’s School, and also Music Director of Fakenham Choral Society. Our stage director is Paul Hands, for many years Director of Drama at Gresham school, where he produced many operas and musicals in conjunction with Mark. He has the distinction of having directed award-winning Norfolk actress, Olivia Colman.
This will be the first time this opera has been presented in Norfolk since the Sadler’s Wells tour of 1974, therefore, an opportunity not to be missed. For further information and full cast list, vist our website www.northnorfolkchamberopera.co.uk or contact us at northnorfolkchamberopera@gmail.com
We gratefully acknowledge the generous assistance of The North Norfolk District Council’s Arts and Culture Fund.
