Theatre News

Shakespeare’s Globe stages Macbeth, Tempest & Dream in 2013

Shakespeare’s Globe will stage A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest and Macbeth next season, as well premiering new works by Che Walker, Jessica Swale and Samuel Adamson.

The iconic South Bank venue also announced today that capacities for its 2012 main house season, which came to a close on Sunday (14 October), averaged 95%, with over 400,000 tickets sold.

Its ‘original practices’ all-male stagings of Richard III and Twelfth Night, featuring an ensemble cast led by former artistic director Mark Rylance, transfer to the West End’s Apollo Theatre from 2 November 2012.

Next year’s season is themed around the supernatural. According to press material: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest and Macbeth, the three plays of Shakespeare’s which deal most directly with the supernatural, will sit at the heart of the season.

Stephen Fry as Malvolio in Twelfth Night

“Three new plays will receive world premières – The Lightning Child by Che Walker, with music by Arthur Darvill, Blue Stockings by Jessica Swale, and Gabriel by Samuel Adamson, a celebration of the transporting power of the trumpet, featuring English trumpet soloist, Alison Balsom.”

Walker returns to the Globe, where his London-set play The Frontline premiered in 2008. Adamson’s recent credits include the stage adaptation of Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Theatre Royal Haymarket), while Swale is best known for her directing work, which includes The Belle’s Strategem and The Rivals at Southwark Playhouse.

Further details of the new Globe season, including dates and casting, are still to be announced.