Following the success of their debut ‘al fresco’ appearance in our village over the summer, Nottingham Shakespeare Company have announced they’re returning to Ruddington early in the New Year to treat us to their next production by The Bard.
Appropriate to the season, this time they’re presenting ‘A Winter’s Tale’ and bringing their “stripped back, inclusive and accessible shows” in from the cold. One of the six dates for NSC’s first indoor tour is inside St Peter’s Church on 3rd February 2023.
Their Artistic Director, Michelle-Louise Wright (pictured below), says: “We really knew very little of Ruddington before we brought ‘The Comedy of Errors’ to The Green in the summer and we were overwhelmed by the size, support and friendliness of the audience.
“Everyone really responded with joy and enthusiasm; from the little kids at the front, to the teenager, on the bike, who told us we were better than the *ahem* ‘nonsense’ on the TV. The church has welcomed us with open arms, too, and we are really looking forward to returning!”
She regrets this time entrance is not free, because indoor shows come with much higher staging costs. However, NSC has allocated 20% of its tickets as ‘pay what you can’ to help those struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
Nottingham Shakespeare Company say what makes them ‘different’ is that they are determined to welcome all to William Shakespeare’s works by actively seeking theatre makers and audiences who may not feel represented by Shakespeare. “We cast ‘blind’. We don’t have any fixed ideas. If a younger actor can rock Malvolio or a wheelchair user can ace Beatrice then we will cast them” explains Michelle-Louise.
“Our ensemble has featured brilliant actors, particularly from the disabled, LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent communities, and from all levels of experience, and we have thrived because of that diversity. We don’t lose any of Shakespeare’s language or ‘translate’ but you are immediately swept into the story.
“Our actors and directors work with the script actively, not a lot of sit-down reading, using their whole body and voice to connect with the words and therefore with the audience.”
Shakespeare’s ‘The Winter’s Tale’ will be staged in St Peter’s Church in Ruddington on Friday 3rd February 2023 at 7pm. It will run for around 90 minutes, with no interval.
Tickets cost £15 for adults and £12 for concessions plus a booking fee. You can buy them on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shakespeares-the-winters-tale-tickets-484869727407.
Graham Wright via RUDDINGTON.info