Announcing our Shakespeare Nation Company for 2022
Wed 26 Jan 2022The War of The Roses to be specific. This year’s Shakespeare Nation company will be taking part in Henry VI: Rebellion, performing alongside the RSC’s professional acting company on the stage at Stratford-upon-Avon. Our 12 company members from across Kent will be under the direction of Gregory Doran and Owen Horsley in the RSC’s major new production, exploring one of the most turbulent periods of English history and asking the question: can the people ever really decide their own future?
Shakespeare Nation is a community participation programme run in partnership with the RSC, aiming at reaching out to people who have little or no experience of Shakespeare, either as an audience member or a performer. Many of our company members couldn’t get enough of The Bard back in October, so they are joining us again this year.
One such company member is Sarah, who said “what is so enjoyable about working with The Marlowe for Shakespeare Nation is the support and enthusiasm, not only from all the performers, but also from the professionals – the administration, creatives and crew.”
Another returning actor is Wayne, who has a newfound passion for performing. He said “I’m honoured to be part of a big play like this. I’m grateful The Marlowe picked me for this project, and I’m really looking forward to it – I’m excited to go up to Stratford-upon-Avon and perform on that big stage. That’s all of my dreams come true.”
Wayne’s first experience of performing and Shakespeare was only back in October with our previous Shakespeare Nation production, ERROR ERROR ERROR, a devised show which responded to the themes of The Comedy Of Errors and what happens when we make mistakes. Performed in The Studio, the show saw quite a few theatrical debuts from the company, as many had never performed or had the opportunity to perform before. Some of our company also came from our friends at Canterbury Umbrella, a social mental health hub in the city centre. The film below about ERROR ERROR ERROR gives you a glimpse into life as a Shakespeare Nation company member and is a great chance to meet some of the familiar faces who are back for more this year:
Our Learning & Participation Manager, Jack Finch-Harding is delighted we are working with our associate company the RSC again on Shakespeare Nation. “Our partnership on the first project was a great experience for all of those who took part and, for many, it was their first experience of Shakespeare. What better way to follow this up than with our 2022 company being given the opportunity to perform alongside the RSC’s own professional acting company in Stratford. It is great to be welcoming new members to our Shakespeare Nation company and also welcoming back previous members we worked with last year.”
Our company will rehearse at The Marlowe before packing their bags and heading up to Stratford-upon-Avon in May to perform in five shows from Wednesday 18 May to Saturday 21 May.
Owen Horsley, who will be directing Henry VI: Rebellion, chose this particular play for a reason most directors would avoid! “Out of the 37 plays in the canon Henry VI Part Two - or as we are calling it, Henry VI: Rebellion - has more characters than any other play. There are 85 characters on the cast list, which may explain why these plays are rarely done. One of the reasons for this wide array of characters is a series of scenes that Shakespeare writes concerning the people of England, who in various ways interact with the royal family. […] So, for the people of England, we have cast the people of England. This is an extremely exciting project as it allows this history play, written over 400 years ago, to respond directly to the state of the nation – and at points put over 50 people on the RSC stage.”
We’ll be following their progress throughout the project, and you’ll be hearing lots from our company along the way. But for now, if you see a group of 12 adults in the theatre with swords and rebellious intent, Shakespeare Nation should be the first thing that springs to mind.
Henry VI: Rebellion is running at The RSC with our company from Wednesday 18 May to Saturday 21 May. Tickets are available here.