The National Theatre of Scotland presents the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Dunsinane in association with the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
Dunsinane receives Scottish Premiere
Siobhan Redmond returns in lead role
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh: Fri 13th May–Sat 4th Jun, 2011
Citizens Theatre, Glasgow: Tue 7th–Sat 11th Jun, 2011
Swan Theatre, Stratford–upon-Avon: Wed 15th Jun–Sat 2nd Jul, 2011
Press Nights:
Tues 17th May Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
Thur 16th June Swan Theatre, Stratford–upon-Avon
By David Greig. Directed by Roxanna Silbert
The full cast is: Siobhan Redmond (Gruach), Brian Ferguson (Malcolm), Alex Mann (Egham), Jonny Phillips (Siward), Lisa Hogg (Gruach’s Attendant), Mairi Morrison (Gruach’s Attendant), Joshua Jenkins (Soldier/ Lord), Philip Mckee (Macduff), Lewis Hart (Sergeant/Soldier), Kevin Guthrie (Scottish Solider), George Brockbanks (Soldier/Archer) and Tom Gill (Boy Soldier).
DAVID Greig’s sequel to Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Dunsinane receives its Scottish premiere at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh from Friday 13th May until Saturday 4th June, 2011 before touring to the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, from Tuesday 7th until Saturday 11th June and then to the Swan Theatre, Stratford–upon-Avon from Wednesday 15th June until Saturday 2nd July, 2011.
The production was previously presented by the RSC at London’s Hampstead Theatre in 2010.
Dunsinane is the setting for Greig’s play, the Scottish garrison town where the English occupying army is 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.
Writer, David Greig, commented: “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?”
Macbeth is dead. Under cover of night, an English army has swept through the landscape, killed the tyrant and taken the seat of power. 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.
Roxana Silbert directs the production. She recently directed what is believed to have been ‘the world’s first Twitter’ production – Such Tweet Sorrow, for the RSC, Mudlark and 4ip, aswell as directing A Comedy of Errors for the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester.
Joining Roxana on the creative team is Robert Innes Hopkins (designer), Chahine Yavroyan (lighting), Nick Powell (music and sound), Anna Morrissey (assistant director/ movement), Terry King (fights), Alex Lee (musical director), Ric Chandler Percussion (musician), Sarah Willson (musician).
This is Siobhan Redmond’s third role with the National Theatre of Scotland, having previously appeared in The House of Bernarda Alba and Mary Stuart. Siobhan has also worked extensively in television and her credits include The Catherine Tate Show, The Smoking Room and The High Life.
Brian Ferguson’s previous work with the National Theatre of Scotland includes Black Watch, Rupture and Snuff. He has also appeared in the BBC’s River City and Doctors.
Kevin Guthrie played the lead role in the National Theatre of Scotland’s production of Peter Pan. His recent television work includes Case Histories and Field of Blood both of which are set to be broadcast during 2011 on BBC One.
Dunsinane is supported by Bank of Scotland as part of Pioneering Partnership – a new sponsorship connecting Bank of Scotland and the National Theatre of Scotland in a relationship across a wide range of National Theatre of Scotland programme elements over two years. The partnership offers geographic spread and reach across productions, initiatives, workshops and events particularly in the area of supporting creativity and emerging talent.
Susan Rice, managing director, Lloyds Banking Group Scotland, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to be embarking on a new partnership with the National Theatre of Scotland.
“Our Pioneering Partnership is the first time that both organisations have worked together and it also represents a new approach to sponsorship with Bank of Scotland supporting not just one production or strand, but a large part of the National Theatre of Scotland’s wide reaching programme over the next two years.
“Our investment will enable National Theatre of Scotland to further develop their core programme and to take it to audiences across Scotland.
“It is estimated that in the first year alone nearly 100,000 people will come into contact with a production or initiative under the Bank of Scotland Pioneering Partnership banner.
“Our joint aim is to encourage and support the next generation of theatrical talent, from actors to set designers, directors to writers, reinforcing Bank of Scotland’s wider sponsorship strategy of supporting emerging talent in Scotland and providing opportunities for our customers and colleagues.”
Listings
Venue, date and time:
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, Fri 13thMay–Sat 4th June at 7.45pm Tues-Sat, and 2.30pm
Matinees 18th, 21th, 25th, 28th May and 4th June
Ticket prices:
£12.50-£28
Booking number:
0131 248 4848
Online booking:
http://www.lyceum.org.uk/
Venue, date and time:
Citizens Theatre, Glasgow Tue 7th–Sat 11th June at 7.30pm (2.30pm Matinee Sat 11th June)
Ticket prices:
£10-£17.50
Booking number:
0141 429 0022
Online booking:
http://www.citz.co.uk/
Venue, date and time:
Swan Theatre, Stratford–upon-Avon, Wed 15th June – Sat 2nd July at 7.30pm and 1.30pm
matinees 18th, 22nd, 25th, 29th June and 2nd July
Ticket prices:
£5-£40
Booking number:
0844 800 1110
Online booking:
http://www.rsc.org.uk/buy-tickets/
Notes to editors:
1.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 over 137 productions in 125 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 almost 600,000 people, across three continents. www.nationaltheatrescotland.com
2. For box office information and updates visit www.nationaltheatrescotland.com and / follow us on twitter.com/NTSonline; facebook.com National Theatre of Scotland and http://www.youtube.com/user/NTSonline
3. Bank of Scotland is a long-standing supporter of sports and the arts in Scotland. Through their sponsorships they aim to support emerging talent across Scotland. Bank of Scotland currently has partnerships with a wide range of Scottish sporting and cultural bodies including Imaginate, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Scottish Football Association and the Great Scottish Run. As part of the Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of Scotland is a Proud Partner for Scotland for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Their mission is to inspire and support young people, colleagues, communities and businesses across Scotland all the way to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond, through cultural and sporting activities.
4. We would like to make a request for your support: Corporate sponsorship of the National Theatre of Scotland is crucial to its future. As arts supporters yourselves we hope we can call on your help in maintaining this important portion of our income and healthy relationships with sponsors by mentioning them in your coverage. This makes a real difference to the National Theatre of Scotland. Mentions are counted and used as an evaluation of projects. Please credit our sponsors if possible.
FOR FURTHER PRESS INFO/IMAGES/INTERVIEWS/FOOTAGE, CONTACT:
Wendy Grannon, Press Manager (maternity leave)
Tel: +44 (0) 141 227 9016 E: wendy.grannon@nationaltheatrescotland.com
Andrew Neilson, Press Officer
Tel: +44 (0) 141 227 9497 E: andrew.neilson@nationaltheatrescotland.com
Press images
Press images are available to download from www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/press
Please contact the press office for a password
Connect with the National Theatre of Scotland through: Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
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
