RSC Confirms David Tennant and Patrick Stewart for 2008 Season
By John Nathan
11 Sep 2007
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Patrick Stewart
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In the wake of London's Donmar Warehouse announcing a Jude Law Hamlet in 2009, the Royal Shakespeare Company has confirmed that "Dr. Who" star David Tennant will take on the title role in that Shakespeare classic next year with Patrick Stewart as Claudius.
Gregory Doran's production of Hamlet opens at the RSC's Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon on Aug. 5, 2008, following previews that begin July 24.
The cast and director will then turn their attention to Love's Labour's Lost, in which Tennant will play Berowne. The comedy opens at the Courtyard on Oct. 8 with previews beginning Oct. 2.
The season kicks off with a revival of The Merchant of Venice (beginning April 3) directed by Tim Carroll, his RSC debut. Conall Morrison, who recently directed Macbeth for the RSC, will direct the same ensemble in The Taming of the Shrew.
A Midsummer Night's Dream (performances begin May 9) will play in repertory with Morrison's production of The Taming of the Shrew (beginning April 24) and Caroll's The Merchant of Venice.
Artistic director Michael Boyd, whose acclaimed productions of Shakespeare's History Plays transfers to London's Roundhouse in April, said of the Stratford season, "2008 will see the future shape of the RSC begin to emerge. The Histories Ensemble is proving that the imaginative power which grows among a group of actors working together for an extended period can be something special. These actors have confirmed my faith in the Ensemble principle, which is at the heart of my ambitions for the RSC. I'm delighted that we can follow the Complete Works Festival in such sure-footed fashion with our eight play History cycle."
Next year will also see the London premiere of new plays presented under the RSC's new work banner: The Tragedy of Thomas Hobbes by American playwright Adriano Shaplin and Marina Carr's The Cordelia Dream. Both will join join previously announced London productions of works by Leo Butler and Roy Williams.
For more on the RSC's 2008 season, for which public booking opens on Oct. 15, call (0)844 800 1110.
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