Theatre News

Northern Broadsides tour Love’s Labour’s from 27 Jan

Kicking off its 20th anniversary year, touring theatre company Northern Broadsides is staging William Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost, directed by artistic director Barrie Rutter.

According to the company’s website, audiences can expect “rousing song and dance” as well as “jaw-dropping scenes”; the recurring cast of 16 will be joined by a “surprise” 17th member at each venue.

Believed to have been written in the mid 1590s, Love’s Labour’s Lost focuses on four men who, while taking a three-year oath of celibacy, fall in love with four women.

Rutter’s description explains, “no one gets married, no two lovers are ever left alone, Jack does not get Jill! But oh the thrill of the chase, the charm of the chase; the rhyme, style and wit of the chase!”

The production premieres on 27 January 2012 at the New Vic Theatre where it runs until 18 February 2012 before touring nationwide throughout May.

Love’s Labour’s Lost will visit The Dukes, Lancaster (21-25 February), The Viaduct, Halifax (29 February-10 March), Steven Joseph Theatre, Scarborough (12-17 March), West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds (3-14 April), The Lowry, Salford (17-21 April) and Theatre Royal, York (1-5 May).

– McKenzie Kramer