@The Old Blue Last/Hackney Empire Studio 2008

The year is 1587.  A young glover William Shakespeare arrives on Curtain Road seeking fame and fortune.  And in this dangerous, disreputable part of town, magic and history begin to be made as the English Theatre is born.  The story of Shakespeare’s years in Shoreditch was brought to life by the Shakespeare in Shoreditch Ensemble, who were assembled especially for this project, including extracts from the 15 plays he wrote in Shoreditch, intertwined with narrative, characterisation, storytelling and a great deal of dramatic license.  Shakespeare in Shoreditch was a devised piece of theatre, based on historical material and various biographies of Shakespeare.  The director and the acting company who form the original cast of this production were instrumental in supplying their own research and creative ideas to the ultimate production.  The show debuted and sold out at the Hackney Empire Studio for the Spice Festival July 2008 and also sold out with standing room only Upstairs at the Old Blue Last, Shoreditch, adjacent to the site of the original Curtain Theatre, during August 2008.

Cast: Matthew Wade, Matt Gardner, Michael McEvoy,  Jack Hughes, Lee Griffiths, Rachael Cunliffe, Darrie Gardner, Jeremy Donovan

Creative Team: Wendy Richardson (Director), Giles Fouhy (Assistant Devise Director), Matt Gardner (Fight Director), Yiota Themistocleous (Technician & Photographer), Carmel Hall & Sabina Piccola  (Costumes), Sarah Pope (Mask maker), Rachel Cunliffe (Choreography). See reviews here.