Actors have been picked to take part in an ambitious project that will mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.
This summer, Sudbury Dramatic Society (SDS) under the direction of Annie Eddington – daughter-in-law of Yes Minister actor Paul Eddington – will stage one of the Bard’s last plays, The Tempest.
It will be shown at the Quay Theatre, from July 5 to 9 ,before the production goes on tour with an open-air ‘garden’ performance in Great Maplestead, on July 16 and 17.
The cast and crew will then take the play overseas to a small community theatre in the Spanish town of Laroles, situated in Las Alpujarras.
The idea of The Tempest Project is to forge a link between SDS and the theatre group in Laroles, which are both “community projects”.
Sponsorship is being raised to finance the Spanish trip, which will feature seasoned local writer, actor and producer Robert Crichton, who has been cast as Prospero.
Young actress and musician Nief Carroll will play Miranda, while Martin and Janine Plackett will provide the music for the production.
Sarah Knight, who is organising the initiative with Mrs Eddington, said: “We chose The Tempest because it is known to be the closest to Shakespeare’s farewell to the theatre, which is fitting during what will be the 400th anniversary of his death.”
To further celebrate the milestone, St Peter’s Church, in Sudbury, will play host to a gala premiere of iShakespeare, a new and intimate solo Shakespeare event in words, poetry, song and music performed by Bruce Morrison and directed by London producer and Sudbury resident David Owen-Bell.
The contemporary one-man production will see Morrison playing more than 40 of Shakespeare’s most famous and memorable characters interwoven with songs, laughter, poetry and sonnets.
The performance is on Thursday, May 5, at 7.30pm. Visit www.iShakespeareonline.com for more details, or to book tickets go to www.ticketsource.co.uk/ishakespeare
Tickets for SDS performances of The Tempest ,at The Quay Theatre, are available by calling 01787 374735 or by visiting www.quaysudbury.com
Tickets for the garden performances are available online via www.sudburydramatic.com
For more 400th anniversary events and the chance to test your knowledge of Shakespeare’s plays click here.
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