January 30, 2013
What's On Stage Special email
On January 24, 2013 What's On Stage sent out an email to everyone subscribed to their website encouraging membership to the RSC to book for Richard II.
January 26, 2013
RSC Membership spike
On January 24, 2013 the day after Gregory Doran and the RSC announced David Tennant would be starring in Richard II The Times reported:
News of his next appearance, as the title character in Richard II, prompted a surge in membership yesterday as his admirers sought the right to book early for the production." Jack Malvern - January 24, 2013
Also on the BBC America website:
Whovians Deluge RSC for Tickets to David Tennant’s ‘Richard II
David Tennant is not only returning to BBC America – the former Doctor Who actor will also be going back to the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he will be playing Richard II later this year.
The announcement, writes the Telegraph in a “Hot Tickets” e-mail report, “apparently triggered a frenzy of joining the RSC forDoctor Who fans desperate to be first in line for tickets.” - January 25th, 2013
Tennant fans devise ticket tactics for RSC return
"The last time that David Tennant agreed to appear on stage for the Royal Shakespeare Company, tickets for his portrayal of Hamlet sold out immediately.
News of his next appearance, as the title character in Richard II, prompted a surge in membership yesterday as his admirers sought the right to book early for the production." Jack Malvern - January 24, 2013
Also on the BBC America website:
Whovians Deluge RSC for Tickets to David Tennant’s ‘Richard II
The announcement, writes the Telegraph in a “Hot Tickets” e-mail report, “apparently triggered a frenzy of joining the RSC for
More Press and The Barbican Question
"The prologue to this season if you like is my first winter season this season, which opens with David Tennant as Richard II.
"David and I worked together a number of times but most recently on Hamlet in Stratford and it's great to have him back playing one of Shakespeare's great lyric, tragic roles." - Digital Spy - Mayer Nissim - January 23, 2013
"Of Tennant’s casting Doran admitted the title role of the famous Shakespeare play would be a “challenge”, adding: “Of course Hamlet was a challenge, it’s the Everest. Richard II is written entirely in verse. He has no problem with verse. He breathes it, he makes it sound as if it is completely effortless.”
The director went on to say how the main obstacle for Tennant to overcome in his role would be “the sense of the man’s volatility, fragility; that psychology is more alien to David’s character”
After its opening at the famous Stratford theatre, the production will then move to the equally famous London Barbican Theatre, which was the company’s home for 20 years before moving in 2002, in December, of which Doran commented:
“They are welcoming of our return. We are different to 10 years ago, so is the Barbican.”
As for a new place to permanently call home, the company is still looking around London for somewhere suitable, with looks to be finally settled by 2016 of which Doran mused: “Every option is back on the table.” However it is thought that the Barbican is, at this point, not an option being considered:
“I have no qualms about how it may look if we did discuss that. They may not want us anyway. It is a two way conversation after all,” - primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk - Anna Howell - January 24, 2012
"Doran, who is also artistic director of the RSC, said: “I am delighted that we will be presenting Richard II to London audiences at the Barbican this winter, following our very successful collaboration during the World Shakespeare Festival.
“As wecontinue
our journey to find a home for our work in London, it’s great to work
with the Barbican again and it’s a fantastic space in which to present
this particular production.”
Toni Racklin, head of theatre at the Barbican, said: “I am thrilled to welcome the RSC to the Barbican for Gregory Doran’s inaugural season with this highly anticipated production of Richard II with David Tennant.
“The play, which perfectly complements our year-round programme, will receive a seven-week run in the theatre over Christmas and is part of our ongoing commitment to present world-class theatre on our stages and beyond. “We look forward to working closely with our colleagues at the RSC to bring Richard II to London.” - London24.com - Sarah Shaffi - January 23, 2013
"The actor expressed delight at the prospect of treading the boards again.
He said: “I’m very excited about being back at the RSC. It’s my fourth season with the company and it’ll be getting on for 20 years since I was first there. It’s always an honour. If you want to do Shakespeare’s plays, and I do, then, really, it’s the place to do them.”
Tennant also revealed that he’s been a lifelong fan of Richard II and is looking forward to putting his stamp on the play’s leading role.
“I saw Derek Jacobi play Richard II when I was at drama school. He was touring and he came to Glasgow, and it was one of those formative experiences for me. I’ve seen the play many times since and I’ve always been fascinated by it. It felt like there was always something in that part that was extraordinary and enticing, and slightly unknowable."
“[Richard]’s not a hero at all. He’s quite a complicated character, so I’m daunted by the prospect of doing it justice but very excited to get a chance.” - Radio Times - Tom Cole - January 23, 2013
"David and I worked together a number of times but most recently on Hamlet in Stratford and it's great to have him back playing one of Shakespeare's great lyric, tragic roles." - Digital Spy - Mayer Nissim - January 23, 2013
"Of Tennant’s casting Doran admitted the title role of the famous Shakespeare play would be a “challenge”, adding: “Of course Hamlet was a challenge, it’s the Everest. Richard II is written entirely in verse. He has no problem with verse. He breathes it, he makes it sound as if it is completely effortless.”
The director went on to say how the main obstacle for Tennant to overcome in his role would be “the sense of the man’s volatility, fragility; that psychology is more alien to David’s character”
After its opening at the famous Stratford theatre, the production will then move to the equally famous London Barbican Theatre, which was the company’s home for 20 years before moving in 2002, in December, of which Doran commented:
“They are welcoming of our return. We are different to 10 years ago, so is the Barbican.”
As for a new place to permanently call home, the company is still looking around London for somewhere suitable, with looks to be finally settled by 2016 of which Doran mused: “Every option is back on the table.” However it is thought that the Barbican is, at this point, not an option being considered:
“I have no qualms about how it may look if we did discuss that. They may not want us anyway. It is a two way conversation after all,” - primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk - Anna Howell - January 24, 2012
"Doran, who is also artistic director of the RSC, said: “I am delighted that we will be presenting Richard II to London audiences at the Barbican this winter, following our very successful collaboration during the World Shakespeare Festival.
“As we
Toni Racklin, head of theatre at the Barbican, said: “I am thrilled to welcome the RSC to the Barbican for Gregory Doran’s inaugural season with this highly anticipated production of Richard II with David Tennant.
“The play, which perfectly complements our year-round programme, will receive a seven-week run in the theatre over Christmas and is part of our ongoing commitment to present world-class theatre on our stages and beyond. “We look forward to working closely with our colleagues at the RSC to bring Richard II to London.” - London24.com - Sarah Shaffi - January 23, 2013
"The actor expressed delight at the prospect of treading the boards again.
He said: “I’m very excited about being back at the RSC. It’s my fourth season with the company and it’ll be getting on for 20 years since I was first there. It’s always an honour. If you want to do Shakespeare’s plays, and I do, then, really, it’s the place to do them.”
Tennant also revealed that he’s been a lifelong fan of Richard II and is looking forward to putting his stamp on the play’s leading role.
“I saw Derek Jacobi play Richard II when I was at drama school. He was touring and he came to Glasgow, and it was one of those formative experiences for me. I’ve seen the play many times since and I’ve always been fascinated by it. It felt like there was always something in that part that was extraordinary and enticing, and slightly unknowable."
“[Richard]’s not a hero at all. He’s quite a complicated character, so I’m daunted by the prospect of doing it justice but very excited to get a chance.” - Radio Times - Tom Cole - January 23, 2013
January 23, 2013
BBC Radio Coventry - Greg Doran
BBC Radio Coventry played a pre-recorded phone interview with RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran on January 23, 2013 about the new season and his five year plan for the company. There are his comments about the casting of David Tennant as Richard II and his looking forward to working with David again.
To listen to the interview visit DavidTennantOnTwitter.com - the most frequently updated website about the actor David Tennant. This is a link to the exact page.
To listen to the interview visit DavidTennantOnTwitter.com - the most frequently updated website about the actor David Tennant. This is a link to the exact page.
Winter 2013 Season in the Press
The January 23, 2013 casting announcement press coverage excerpts:
BBC Entertainment News
Richard II marks the start of a run of Shakespeare's history plays, each of which will be directed by Doran.
Speaking at at Wednesday's season launch in London, Doran told the BBC he thought that Richard II could be "almost a bigger challenge" for Tennant than Hamlet.
One of the triumphs of Tennant's Hamlet, he pointed out, had been his exploration of the humorous side of the role.
"Richard II can seem like a paean of self-pity," Doran said. "I think David will find it quite hard that, for a lot of the play, the audience don't like this self-indulgent, self-obsessed creature that Richard seems to be."
The Telegraph - Daisy Bowie-Sell
David Tennant to play Richard II at the RSC
"The ex-Doctor Who actor also worked with Doran on the RSC's widely acclaimed 2008 production of Hamlet, tickets for which sold out within hours. Demand is likely to be as high for Richard II, which also features actor Oliver Ford Davies and will transfer to the Barbican in December after its run in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Doran said: "I am delighted that David Tennant and Oliver Ford Davies will be returning to the company for this production. As we continue our journey to find a home for our work in London, it’s great to work with the Barbican again and it’s a fantastic space in which to present this particular production."
The Stage News online - Alistair Smith
"Following its run from October at the RoyalShakespeare Theatre
in Stratford-upon-Avon, the show will transfer in December to London’s
Barbican Centre, former home of the RSC in London. It marks the first
time that the RSC has transferred a production there in a decade, and
the first Shakespeare production since the company’s acrimonious
departure from the City of London venue in 2002.
Speaking at a press conference today, Doran said that a new permanent London home for the RSC was “a priority”, but stressed that he had had “absolutely no conversations” with the Barbican about the RSC returning there on a long-term basis. He said that the RSC was transferring Richard II to the Barbican because it was “the best theatre that [the production] could possibly be in in London”.
Evening Standard - Louise Jury
"The former Doctor Who — who is now an RSC board member — will take the title role in Richard II when he is reunited with Doran, who directed him in his acclaimed but injury-hit run as Hamlet five years ago. The production will have a seven-week run at the Barbican — the RSC’s original London home — from December 9 this year after opening in Stratford-upon-Avon. Speaking in London, Doran said: “I want us to produce the best possible live experience of Shakespeare for audiences of all ages and backgrounds and provide the most stimulating environment possible for creative artists to practise their craft.”
The Guardian - Mark Brown
"Doran himself will direct Richard II, following on from their Hamlet in 2008–09 – a production that the Guardian's Michael Billington described as "one of the most richly textured, best-acted versions of the play we have seen in years". While it was a much praised production it was not without its difficulties; chief among them Tennant's prolapsed disc that meant he was unable to perform in the London production for about a month."
BBC Entertainment News
Richard II marks the start of a run of Shakespeare's history plays, each of which will be directed by Doran.
Speaking at at Wednesday's season launch in London, Doran told the BBC he thought that Richard II could be "almost a bigger challenge" for Tennant than Hamlet.
One of the triumphs of Tennant's Hamlet, he pointed out, had been his exploration of the humorous side of the role.
"Richard II can seem like a paean of self-pity," Doran said. "I think David will find it quite hard that, for a lot of the play, the audience don't like this self-indulgent, self-obsessed creature that Richard seems to be."
The Telegraph - Daisy Bowie-Sell
David Tennant to play Richard II at the RSC
"The ex-Doctor Who actor also worked with Doran on the RSC's widely acclaimed 2008 production of Hamlet, tickets for which sold out within hours. Demand is likely to be as high for Richard II, which also features actor Oliver Ford Davies and will transfer to the Barbican in December after its run in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Doran said: "I am delighted that David Tennant and Oliver Ford Davies will be returning to the company for this production. As we continue our journey to find a home for our work in London, it’s great to work with the Barbican again and it’s a fantastic space in which to present this particular production."
The Stage News online - Alistair Smith
"Following its run from October at the Royal
Speaking at a press conference today, Doran said that a new permanent London home for the RSC was “a priority”, but stressed that he had had “absolutely no conversations” with the Barbican about the RSC returning there on a long-term basis. He said that the RSC was transferring Richard II to the Barbican because it was “the best theatre that [the production] could possibly be in in London”.
Evening Standard - Louise Jury
"The former Doctor Who — who is now an RSC board member — will take the title role in Richard II when he is reunited with Doran, who directed him in his acclaimed but injury-hit run as Hamlet five years ago. The production will have a seven-week run at the Barbican — the RSC’s original London home — from December 9 this year after opening in Stratford-upon-Avon. Speaking in London, Doran said: “I want us to produce the best possible live experience of Shakespeare for audiences of all ages and backgrounds and provide the most stimulating environment possible for creative artists to practise their craft.”
The Guardian - Mark Brown
"Doran himself will direct Richard II, following on from their Hamlet in 2008–09 – a production that the Guardian's Michael Billington described as "one of the most richly textured, best-acted versions of the play we have seen in years". While it was a much praised production it was not without its difficulties; chief among them Tennant's prolapsed disc that meant he was unable to perform in the London production for about a month."
RSC Newsletter for January 2013
Inside Artistic Director Greg Doran says "It has been five years since Hamlet so I am really looking forward to working with David again."
The players - so far
So far we know that Greg Doran, the current RSC Artistic Director, will direct and Oliver Ford Davies will also be in the production.
Greg directed David three other times, starting in 1998 with the two combined plays The Real Inspector Hound and Black Comedy at the Comedy Theatre in London. They later reunited in 2008 at the RSC for Loves Labours Lost and the hugely acclaimed award winning production of Hamlet.
Oliver Ford Davies played Polonius in Hamlet will play the Duke of York.
Greg directed David three other times, starting in 1998 with the two combined plays The Real Inspector Hound and Black Comedy at the Comedy Theatre in London. They later reunited in 2008 at the RSC for Loves Labours Lost and the hugely acclaimed award winning production of Hamlet.
Oliver Ford Davies played Polonius in Hamlet will play the Duke of York.
How When Where - The Facts Jack
How to get tickets - When is the play - Where is the play
The RSC gives priority booking for all of it's productions to members. There are different levels of membership with the highest being the Shakespeare Circle, membership starts at £100 and these members can book starting on February 7, 2013. Most people become Full Members at a cost of £40 and full members will be able to book from February 11, 2013 and the last level is Associate Member for £18 and they can book from March 4, 2013.
The general public will be able to begin booking on March 18, 2013.
Tickets for the London performances will be available to book from March 7, 2013. The Barbican has a members scheme as well Red Members, from £100, can book on March 7, 2013, Orange Members, from £40,can book from March 13, 2013 and Yellow Members, from £20, and the general public from March 18, 2013. Click here for more info on membership discounts and benefits at the Barbican.
The Stratford production, at the Royal
Shakespeare Theatre ,
will begin with previews from October 10, 2013. Press night will be October 17, 2013 and the Stratford run will end on November 16, 2013. Click here for seating chart.
The London production will be at Barbican Theatre from December 7, 2013 previews and opening January 9 2013 to January 25, 2014. Evening performances will be at 7:30 PM. Click here for seating chart.
The general public will be able to begin booking on March 18, 2013.
Tickets for the London performances will be available to book from March 7, 2013. The Barbican has a members scheme as well Red Members, from £100, can book on March 7, 2013, Orange Members, from £40,can book from March 13, 2013 and Yellow Members, from £20, and the general public from March 18, 2013. Click here for more info on membership discounts and benefits at the Barbican.
will begin with previews from October 10, 2013. Press night will be October 17, 2013 and the Stratford run will end on November 16, 2013. Click here for seating chart.
The London production will be at Barbican Theatre from December 7, 2013 previews and opening January 9 2013 to January 25, 2014. Evening performances will be at 7:30 PM. Click here for seating chart.
RSC has a new Home Page
In addition to the announcement of the new schedule the RSC also put up a new home page which included logo's for the new plays and a picture of David Tennant sitting on the throne - oh and did we forget to mention when you first log on - David walks into the frame and sits down. Greg Doran does the same thing in his interview clip, which was posted on January 23rd as well. Go to WWW.RSC.ORG.UK and check it out
RSC Winter 2013 Announced
Well FINALLY! The RSC posted on Twitter on January 22, 2013 to stay tuned for a big announcement and then again on the morning of January 23rd they tweeted a reminder to watch for a big 10:00 AM announcement about Winter 2013.
Then at 10:00 we got the news we had all been waiting for:
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