This weekend I went to see a wonderfully original and inspiring production of Romeo & Juliet or Romeo og Julie at the National Theatre in Oslo. I was invited by Kare Conradi, the well know Norwegian actor who performed with the BSC last summer. Kare performed Tybalt and as always was powerful and compelling in the role. This was to my mind a wonderful, powerful and visually exciting interpretation of the play. It is very different from the work of the BSC but I can still be inspired by far reaching interpretations.

I have often seen people try to use film in live theatre but this is the first time I have seen it truly blend with and compliment the live action.

I do not want to seem like I am writing a review as this is not my forte but I would like to take this opportunity to thank a brilliant ensemble cast and the director for a wonderful evening in a magnificent theatre.

In the summer of 2010 the British Shakespeare Company will tour Romeo & Juliet. We still have some dates available to fill so please contact us if you are interested in a corporate or private performance or if you have a venue and would like to discuss a performance.

TOUR DATES: We will begin announcing our tour dates in the next few weeks.

CASTING: We will put a full breakdown on this news blog of all cast needed in the next few weeks. We will also send a breakdown to all agents through spotlight.

The British Shakespeare Company are seeking a small live work space (home and office) in Yorkshire. This will be a first stage of moving the company to the North of England as the artistic director wishes to be closer to home especially now that London is full. Please contact us if you can recommend a space, agent or small building to convert in Yorkshire or elsewhere - info@britishshakespeare.com

The British Shakespeare Company are seeking the following staff for 2010:

Company Manager: This important job includes the day to day support of the actors during rehearsals and on tour. The company manager deals with accommodation, travel and is the first port of call for the actors at all venues and on tour.

Freelance Publicist: This post will include all press contact for the British Shakespeare Company including arranging press previews, reviews, celebrity interviews, putting out national and local press releases etc.

Stage Manager: This person will be responsible for liasing with all the venues for technical requirements, full set up of staging, lighting and sound. They would benefit from some experience of working in open air touring.

Book Keeper (Part Time): This person will be responsible for dealing with all book keeping but will also manage the bank account, pay wages, pay and chase invoices and manage cashflow. This is a part time job and would only take one day a week even during busy times.

From time to time the British Shakespeare Company needs legal support. The reasons for this can be as varied as very late payment after a performance (sometimes 6 months late) to a theatre owner selling our mailing list to a rival company (I usually discover this when our relatives start getting leaflets in the post). We have also had another company pass themselves or one of their events off as a BSC event. We are aware a number of law firms attend our shows and perhaps we could come to an agreement for such help such as tying it into a sponsorship deal, a corporate package or programme and internet advertising.

The British Shakespeare Company is the only full cast, professional, open air touring Shakespeare Company in Europe. We are a non-for-profit company that does not receive a single penny in funding. By cutting costs in ways such as this we can continue to tour the very best theatre accross the UK.
If you believe your firm would benefit from supporting the arts in this way or if you yourself could help please contact Robert J. Williamson robert@britishshakeseare.com

Oh…we need an accountant too!

Jean Simmons, the Hollywood star who first entranced cinema-goers with her portrayal of young Estella in David Lean’s Great Expectations, has died.

She starred with Burt Lancaster in Elmer Gantry, with Marlon Brando in Guys and Dolls, with Kirk Douglas in Spartacus, Gregory Peck in The Big Country and Paul Newman in Until They Sail.

She was nominated for an Oscar at the age of just 18 for her role as Ophelia to Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet.

I was overjoyed to hear that Patrick Stewart has been knighted in the New Year’s honours list. A number of friends contacted me to let me know as I have been banging on about this for some time and even written to the powers that be stating it was incredible he had not yet received the honour.

Sir Patrick, born in Mirfield, West Yorkshire spent 16 years with the Royal Shakespeare Company before becoming an international star in Hollywood. In recent years he has returned to Shakespearian theatre in hugely successful productions of The Tempest (Prospero), Antony and Cleopatra (Mark Antony),Twelfth Night (Malvolio) and of course the recent Hamlet (Claudius).

I missed out on his Prospero due to clashing with my own performances but Robert Goold’s Macbeth (pictured below) was simply the finest Macbeth I have ever seen - truly inspiring.

Sir Patrick said he was “very proud” to be made a knight, adding the theatre has always been his “great joy”.

Sir Patrick is one of the finest actors the world has seen and I am very greatful to him for the many wonderful performances I have been lucky enough to be present at and I look forward to many more.