The National Theatre of Scotland presents THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY’S PRODUCTION of
DUNSINANE
in association with the Lyceum Theatre, edinburgh
A new play by David Greig
Directed by Roxana Silbert
Touring Scotland in May and June 2011
THE National Theatre of Scotland is delighted to bring the RSC’s acclaimed production of DUNSINANE to Scotland.
David Greig’s sequel to Shakespeare’s Macbeth, directed by Roxanna Silbert, was presented by the RSC at Hampstead Theatre, London earlier this year.
The production will tour to two Scottish venues in May and June 2011, opening at the Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh in May 2011 and the Citizens Theatre in June 2011.
Macbeth is dead. Under cover of night, an English army has swept through the landscape, killed the tyrant and taken the seat of power.
Says a spokesperson: “Attempting to restore peace and put in place a new ruler, the commanding officer is beset by a brutal guerrilla uprising and simmering discontent amongst his own inexperienced troops.
“Struggling to grasp the alien customs and politics of this harsh country, he finds himself drawn towards the tyrant’s powerful widow in search of someone to share his burden of responsibility. Increasingly isolated from his own men and Scottish allies alike, his efforts to restore order appear futile as the situation spirals out of control.
“Dunsinane is the setting for Greig’s play, the Scottish garrison town where the English occupying army are ready to commence battle and historically believed to be the site of a battle where Malcolm defeated Macbeth in 1054. Greig has taken Scotland’s real landscape and history and dramatically mixed it with the setting of Shakespeare’s play, one of the most famous landscapes in literature, even though Shakespeare himself never set foot on Scottish soil.”
David Greig’s play proves a rich, funny, fascinating sequel to Shakespeare’s great tragedy. The Telegraph
David Greig says: “I’m really excited that the RSC’s production of Dunsinane is going to come to Scotland.
“It’s a big, bold, dark story and without the National Theatre of Scotland it would have no chance of being seen here. Dunsinane emerged for me around five years ago when there seemed to be several productions of Macbeth being performed.
“Macbeth is about the toppling of a king.
“But I found I was interested in what happened after that king was overthrown. How does an army restore a kingdom to peace?
“I also had a cheeky desire, to respond to the fact that the most famous Scottish play was written by the most famous English writer. I wanted to look at the story from a Scottish point of view. And who could resist the chance to revisit Lady Macbeth, one of the greatest characters in all drama?”
Michael Boyd, artistic director, Royal Shakespeare Company, says: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with the National Theatre of Scotland for the first time, bringing David Greig’s brilliant new play, with its fierce insights on England and Scotland, to the Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh and the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow.
“Our associate director, Roxana Silbert, brought together and directed a strong ensemble of actors and musicians for the original production and she is very excited about bringing this RSC production north of the border.”
Vicky Featherstone, artistic director, National Theatre of Scotland, says: “We are delighted and honoured to bring this extraordinary play by David Greig in Roxana Silbert’s beautiful production to audiences in Scotland. It seems fitting that the ideas in Dunsinane have provided the first link for us to work with the RSC. I know audiences will be thrilled by it.”
David Greig is a multi, award-winning Scottish playwright whose work is regularly produced by the National Theatre of Scotland.
His new version of Peter Pan for the company, is currently touring the UK and his forthcoming collaboration with director, Wils Wilson, The Strange Case of Prudencia Hart tours Scottish pubs and village halls in November 2010.
His play with music, Midsummer was a hit at last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe and in London, at Soho Theatre, earlier this year.
His most recent production for the RSC was The American Pilot.
Roxana Silbert directs the production, which was her first for the RSC as an associate director. She was previously artistic director of Paines Plough, Literary Director at the Traverse Theatre (2001-2004) and associate director at the Royal Court. Recent productions include Orphans by Dennis Kelly (Traverse/Birmingham Rep/Soho), Roaring Trade by Steve Thompson (Soho) and Dallas Sweetman by Sebastian Barry (Canterbury Cathedral).
The production is designed by Robert Innes Hopkins, with lighting by Chahine Yavroyan and music and sound by Nick Powell. Movement is by Anna Morrissey and fights are by Terry King. Cast for the 2011 tour will be announced at a future date.
ENDS
Current Touring information:
Venue: Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
Dates: 14 May – 4 June 2011
Booking opens: 19 July 2011
Box Office: 0131 248 4848
Online Booking: www.lyceum.org.uk
Venue: Citizens Theatre, Glasgow
Dates: week of 06 June 2011
Booking opens: Winter 2010
Box Office: 0141 429 4022
Online Booking: www.citz.co.uk
Press performance to be confirmed.
Further information: www.rsc.org.uk and www.nationaltheatrescotland.com
PRESS OFFICE CONTACTS
Emma Schad – Press Manager – 0141 227 9016 – emma.schad@nationaltheatrescotland.com
Andrew Neilson – Press Officer – 0141 227 9497 – andrew.neilson@nationaltheatrescotland.com
PRESS IMAGES
There is a selection of images for current productions available for download from www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/press Please contact the press office for a password.
Please contact the press office directly for images for future productions.
NOTES TO EDITORS
NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND
The National Theatre of Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government.
Since its launch in February 2006, the National Theatre of Scotland has been involved in creating 124 productions in 115 different locations. With no building of its own, the company takes theatre all over Scotland and beyond, working with existing and new venues and companies to create and tour theatre of the highest quality. It takes place in the great buildings of Scotland, but also in site-specific locations, airports and tower blocks, community halls and drill halls, ferries and forests. The company has performed to over 482,000 people, across three continents.
MEDIA RELEASE posted by the National Theatre of Scotland. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Andrew Neilson
Phone: 01412279497
Email: andrew.neilson@nationaltheatrescotland.com
Website: http://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com
