Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre Launches New Rose Bursary Scheme for Blenheim Palace Season

Thursday 18th April 2019 Picture Credit Charlotte Graham Picture Shows Paul Hawkyard (Macduff/Bottom) Leandra Ashton (Lady Macbeth) in Various Locations at Blenheim Palace CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR BLENHEIM PALACEÕS 2019 SUMMER OF SHAKESPEARE TICKETS NOW ON SALE Blenheim Palace: 8 July Ð 7 September [25 February] SHAKESPEAREÕS ROSE THEATRE, EuropeÕs first ever pop-up Shakespearean Theatre, today announces the creative team for its Blenheim Palace nine-week season, following a hugely successful inaugural run at its original site in York in 2018. The 13-sided Elizabethan-style playhouse - complete with an Elizabethan village - will be constructed over a three- week period in the glorious grounds of ÔBritainÕs Greatest PalaceÕ where, in its Oxfordshire home, it will run from 8 July until 7 September, performing four of ShakespeareÕs greatest plays. The York season will return on 25th June and run until 1st September. The Blenheim Palace company will be reviving the productions of A Midsummer NightÕs Dream and Macbeth as experienced in York last year as well as creating exciting new productions of Romeo & Juliet and Richard III. In York, SHAKESPEAREÕS ROSE THEATRE will be performing Hamlet, Henry V, The Tempest and Twelfth Night. The plays have been selected from across the genres, offering something for everyone, and will be performed in repertory by two companies of actors based at each location, with casting to be announced. Damian Cruden returns to SHAKESPEAREÕS ROSE THEATRE, having directed Macbeth last year in York. This year he will serve as overall artistic director for both companies. Tom Wright will be Associate Director for Macbeth and A Midsummer NightÕs Dream, and Juliet Forster, who was the original director of A Midsummer NightÕs Dream last year, will turn her skills to directing Romeo & Juliet this year. Amy Yardley will be associate scenic designer for both Macbeth and A Midsummer NightÕs Dream, and scenic designer for Romeo & Juliet. Sarah Mercade will be costume designer for Macbeth, A Midsummer NightÕs Dream and Romeo & Juliet. Lucy Pitman-Wallace will direct Richard III, which will have scenic and costume design by Adam Nee. Originator of the project and CEO of international theatre company, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, James Cundall MBE, said ÒWe are thrilled that Damian Cruden is once again joining us at SHAKESPEAREÕS ROSE THEATRE, this time as overall artistic director. With him we are delighted to have found a first-class team of directors and designers for our eight productions. We are looking forward to seeing their interpretations of these great plays.Ó Dominic Hare, Chief Executive of Blenheim Palace, said ÒWhen I visited SHAKESPEAREÕS ROSE THEATRE in York last summer I was absolutely blown away, not only by the quality of the whole event, even down to the vintage carts and wagons, but by the extraordinary experience of seeing Shakespeare performed in such an intimate setting. It created the most astonishing connection between audience and actors, and produced some truly spine-tingling moments. ÒI immediately thought it would be the ideal summer event for Blenheim Palace and I am immensely excited at the prospect of bringing these outstanding Shakespeare productions, as well as the Elizabethan experience, to such a stunning setting. We believe that SHAKESPEAREÕS ROSE THEATRE will bring many more visitors to the area for everyoneÕs benefit as well as being a marvellous cultural experience for local people.Ó The Blenheim Palace season will be co-presented by Raymond Gubbay Ltd, who have a wealth of experience promoting events and concerts worldwide, including the popular ÔChristmas at Blenheim PalaceÕ illuminated trail and Cinderella experience. Anthony Findlay, Chief Executive of Raymond Gubbay Ltd, said ÒWe have had the pleasure of working closely with Blenheim Palace for the past three years and have also enjoyed successful partnerships with Lunchbox Theatrical Productions on their touring shows. ItÕs hugely exciting that all three companies have now joined forces to bring this fabulous Shakespearean experience to the beautiful grounds of Blenheim Palace and the audiences of Oxfordshire and beyond.Ó SHAKESPEAREÕS ROSE THEATRE and ShakespeareÕs Village are produced by Yorkshire-based Lunchbox Theatrical Productions. The Blenheim Palace season is presented in association with Raymond Gubbay Ltd and Blenheim Palace. @ShakespearesRT To book tickets at Blenheim Palace please visit : www.blenheimpalace.com/shakespearesRT Blenheim Palace Listing Information SHAKESPEAREÕS ROSE THEATRE Ð BLENHEIM PALACE Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1UL Monday 8 July Ð Saturday 7 September 2019. Macbeth, A Midsummer NightÕs Dream, Richard III, Romeo & Juliet For full performance schedule please visit www.blenheimpalace.com/shakespearesRT Blenheim Palace Booking Information Book online www.blenheimpalace.com/shakespearesRT By phone 0115 9129107 Calls cost up to 13p per minute plus your phone companyÕs access charge. In Person SHAKESPEAREÕS ROSE THEATRE, Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1UL from 10am, Mon 8th July 2019 Tickets All seats in SHAKESPEAREÕS ROSE THEATRE are the same Ð comfortably cushioned and backed, with plenty of leg room. Groundling tickets in the courtyard are open-air, all other seats are under cover. Visit blenheimpalace.com/shakespearesRT for seating plan and further details. Premium £70.00 A Reserve £55.00 B Reserve £45.00 C Reserve £35.00 D Reserve £25.00 (restricted view) Groundlings £15.00 Wheelchairs - Courtyard £15.00, Premium £70.00. Each wheelchair space includes carer seat free of charge. Children (16 and under) £3 off all seats, £2 off Groundlings. Groups of 16+ receive 10% off all ticket types (excluding groundlings). Contact SEE groups on 0844 412 4650 or by emailing groups@seetickets.com Schools Ð Eight morning performances have been set aside exclusively for schools at £10 per ticket anywhere in the theatre. 1 teacher goes free with every 10 children. Tickets available through SEE Tickets on 0800 852 7244 or by emailing education@seetickets.com. There is up to 15% off when purchasing Ôcombined ticketsÕ. Prices inclusive of booking fee. All transactions are subject to a single charge of £2 for print at home tickets and collections or £2.50 for postal orders. For more information on SHAKESPEAREÕS ROSE THEATRE please visit: www.shakespearesrosetheatre.com NOTES TO EDITORS About Lunchbox Theatrical Productions Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, founded in 1992 by James Cundall, has established an unrivalled reputation for producing top quality international entertainment in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, The Philippines, Europe and South Africa. Producing West End and Broadway musicals, plays, boutique shows, spectaculars, concerts, childrenÕs shows, ice shows and events across five continents, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions sells over one million visitor experiences per year. In addition, from the companyÕs UK headquarters, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions has been delivering events in the York region for over 13 years. This includes the award-winning YorkshireÕs Winter Wonderland incorporating The Ice Factor; productions by The Imperial Ice StarsÕ at Castle Howard, Royal Albert Hall, Chatsworth House and Hyde Park Winter Wonderland; THORÕS tipi bars in York, Leeds, Sheffield, Lincoln, LondonÕs Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and Brighton; the Vintage Fun Fair in York City Centre; and Christmas at York Museum Gardens. In 2018, the company created SHAKESPEAREÕS ROSE THEATRE in York, which this year returns to York and makes its debut at Blenheim Palace. About Blenheim Palace A visit to Blenheim Palace offers an unforgettable experience. ItÕs a chance to share the splendours of Baroque architecture, to wonder at the collections of art, tapestry and antiques, and to explore the Park and Gardens and discover landscapes crafted by Lancelot ÔCapabilityÕ Brown. Whether enjoying a day visit to this magnificent home to the Dukes of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, or as a regular visitor able to appreciate the changing seasons and an annual programme of historical and cultural events, you will be sure to feel enriched by the Blenheim Palace experience. Blenheim Palace - BritainÕs Greatest Palace. About Raymond Gubbay Ltd Founded in 1966, Raymond Gubbay Ltd is recognised as being at the forefront for promoting and producing popular classical music, opera, ballet and major events worldwide. In partnership with world class venues, including Blenheim Palace, Forestry Commission England, National Trust, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, RGL Ltd regularly produce Christmas light trails around the UK and Europe. Additionally, the company annually presents over 500 concerts. raymondgubbay.co.uk For further information and interviews please contact: Rebecca Byers |Rebecca.Byers@target-live.co.uk | 020 7052 1301 Arabella Neville-Rolfe | Arabella.Neville-Rolfe@target-live.co.uk |020 7052 1301 www.target-live.co.uk

Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre and Blenheim Palace announced today that they are funding 500 free tickets for schools through the theatre’s Rose Bursary Scheme, to selected performances during its Summer of Shakespeare.

The scheme will allow children who may otherwise not have the opportunity, to step back in time and experience theatre as it was in Shakespeare’s day; with bloody battles, comic mayhem, gruesome murders and grand oratory!

Set within a vibrant Shakespearean Village, the 13-sided traditional Elizabethan theatre will offer three tiers of covered seating for 560 and an open courtyard for 340 standing ‘groundlings’.

Schools, community and youth groups will be able to enjoy productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet and Richard III at selected matinee performances during July.  As well as discounted ticket prices for these groups, schools which meet the specific criteria of the Rose Bursary Scheme will be able to apply for free tickets.

James Cundall, Chief Executive of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, and founder of Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre, said: “When planning Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre, it was very important to us that we enabled as many school children as possible to see a production.

“Watching a Shakespeare play live in the environment that it was intended for is a unique experience which, I believe, brings it to life in a way that can’t be achieved by hearing or reading the play in a classroom.  For many children it will be their first experience of seeing a Shakespeare play.”

Alice Kirk, Head of Education at Blenheim Palace said she was delighted, that through the Rose Bursary Scheme, all schools will have access to award-winning Shakespeare performances.

“Being able to experience Shakespeare in a traditional Elizabethan setting, as it was originally performed, is an amazing opportunity and hugely valuable for students and teachers,” she said.

“It is very exciting for us to be able to support schools and inspire students to engage with Shakespeare in such a unique and inspirational way,” she added.

The four plays have been selected from across the genres of comedy, history and tragedy – including a tragic love story – and are being performed in repertory by two companies of actors during the 9-week season, from 8th July to 7th September in the glorious grounds of Blenheim Palace.

The original Rose Theatre was built in 1587 on the south bank of the River Thames in London. It was a slightly irregular 14-sided structure made of timber, with plaster exterior and a thatched roof, open in the centre to the elements.

The success of The Rose Theatre paved the way for other theatres to be built in the area, including The Swan in 1595, The Globe Theatre in 1599 and The Fortune in 1600.

 

For more information please contact: Melodie Manners | melodie@flamingo-marketing.co.uk | 01637 873379 or 07815 709548.

Admission: Theatre tickets vary* Adults from £15.00, Children from £12.00, free entry to Shakespeare’s Village
http://www.blenheimpalace.com/shakespearesRT