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Prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company returns to Bonington in Arnold

Date Posted: 10:52 AM on Fri, 21 October 2022 Royal Shakespeare Company. Image of a group of actors talking and laughing together. Photo by Joe Bailey

This autumn, the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) returns to the Bonington Theatre in Arnold for two live performances of its First Encounters with Shakespeare production of Twelfth Night.

The RSC first visited the Bonington Theatre in 2019 with performances of The Merchant of Venice. Three years later, the RSC are coming back to Arnold, on Monday 31 October and Tuesday 1 November, with a 90-minute condensed version of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. The play has been given a modern twist with an environmentally conscious take on Shakespeare’s tale of heartbreak, hoaxes and hidden identities.

While on tour, the RSC will visit schools and theatres across the country with the production until 12 November. The aim is to bring Shakespeare and live performance to those who have never seen his work live and to younger audiences, aged 7-13. These shorter, edited versions of the play’s original language help to make Shakespeare more accessible and enjoyable to a wider audience.

The production of Twelfth Night has environmental sustainability at its core and has been co-created with young people from the RSC’s Associate Schools programme. This is the Company’s national partnership programme with schools and regional theatres which work with disadvantaged children in the country.

Commenting on the production, Director, Robin Belfield, said:

‘We want children and young people’s first encounters with live theatre and Shakespeare to be fun, engaging and meaningful. So, we asked them what was important to them, and two things came across very clearly and consistently: that the show should be a co-creation between the RSC and the young people themselves and that climate crisis should sit at its heart.’

The Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke MBE said:

‘We’re thrilled to have the world famous Royal Shakespeare Company returning to Arnold’s Bonington Theatre this year with another excellent play on their nationwide tour. Their interpretation of Twelfth Night will give people, especially younger audiences, an opportunity to access Shakespeare’s play in a new, modern and exciting way.

The show’s emphasis on environmental sustainability highlights a particularly important issue affecting all generations and is a key priority for Gedling Borough Council as we work to become net zero by 2030. We’re delighted to have been asked to host such a wonderful theatre from the Royal Shakespeare Company.’

Performances of Twelfth Night will take place at the Bonington Theatre, Arnold on Monday 31 October and Tuesday 1 November, both starting at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £12.50, £10 concessions, £8 for under 25s and are available to buy directly from the Bonington box office in person, by calling 0115 901 3640 or by visiting the website www.boningtontheatre.co.uk