Downie & Kendrick Lead Young Hearts at Globe

Titled Young
Hearts (See News, 19 Nov 2008), the Globe’s 2009
season was introduced today by artistic director Dromgoole as
“a way of celebrating the youth and excitement of this
young theatre, which is only 12 years old … the Shakespeare
plays chosen all showcase different takes on the drama and excitement
of young love”.

Kicking
off the season, from 30 April to 23 August (previews from 23 April)
is {Romeo and
Juliet::L1000589374}, starring newcomer Ellie Kendrick. Kendrick, who is currently on her
gap-year before University, was at today’s conference and spoke of
her excitement at landing the part: “I’ve been coming
to the Globe since I was 12 and think it has such a unique atmosphere … I never dreamed I’d be
making my stage debut here in one of the biggest roles and one of the
most famous plays in the world!”

The cast also
includes another newcomer, Adetomiwa Edun, as Romeo, Ukweli Roach
(Tybalt), Jack Fathing (Benvolio) and acclaimed New Zealand actor
Rawiri Paratene (Whale Rider) as Friar Laurence.
The production is directed by Dominic Dromgoole, designed by Simon
Daw, with music by Nigel Hess.

From
8 to 23 May (previews from 5 May) Che Walker‘s modern-day drama
{The
Frontline::L2117418150} makes
a return after a successful debut last season, helmed by Matthew
Dunster. The cast comprises a mix of new and returning members,
including Naana Agyei-Ampadu, Huss Garbiya, Trystan Gravelle, Robert
Gwylim, Paul Lloyd, Golda Rosheuvel and John Stahl.

It’s
followed by Thea Sharrock‘s production of {As
You Like It::L1360454509} (8
June to 10 October, previews from 30 May), with a cast that includes
Naomi Frederick (Rosalind) and Laura Rogers (Celia). Sharrock,
who became the youngest artistic director in British theatre when she
took on the role at the Southwark Playhouse in 2001, makes her Globe
directing debut.

Season
firsts

From
12 July to 20 September Matthew Dunster directs {Troilus
and Cressida::L1507872671}
with Trystan Gravelle playing Achilles. The production marks the
first time the Globe has staged the play, something Dromgoole, who
has directed several ‘firsts’ including Othello,
described as “immensely exciting”. Further
casting is still to be announced.

Another
first for the Globe this season is its foray into Greek tragedy, with
the world premiere of Frank McGuinness’ take on Euripides’
lesser-known and rarely performed Helen.
Penny Downie will lead the cast in a production helmed by Deborah
Bruce.

Also
making its world premiere is A
New World: A Life of Thomas Paine
(3 September to 9 October,previews from 29 August) by Trevor
Griffiths. Initially commissioned as a screenplay by Richard
Attenborough (who is an associate on the production), it was first
heard as a radio drama last year, starring Jonathan Pryce in the
title role (who Griffiths, present at today’s conference, hinted as a
strong candidate to play the role on stage).

The
play charts the life and loves of British émigré
Thomas Paine, the author of The
Rights of Man and a key
participant in both the American and French revolutions. Griffiths,
the Oscar-nominated writer of Ten
Days that Shook the World and
plays including The Party
and Comedians,
admitted that the play “is currently over four hours
long”, but promised it would be “whittled
down” by the time it opens.

The season closes with Love’s
Labours Lost, a revival of Dromgoole’s 2007 hit production.
Following a short run at the Globe from 30 September to 10 October
(previews from 25 September), the production, which is designed by
Jonathan Fensom with a score by Claire van Kampen, will embark on
a North American autumn tour.

In addition to its main stage
programme, the Globe will continue its commitment to visiting what
Dromgoole today termed “charismatic non-theatrical spaces”.
During the summer, two small-scale productions – The Comedy
of Errors and A Midsummer Night’s Dream
– will visit outdoor venues across the UK and Europe.

– by Theo
Bosanquet