Druid Marks 40th Anniversary with DruidShakespeare This Summer

Druid today announced full details of one of the company's most ambitious ever undertakings, DruidShakespeare, a challenging but fitting project to mark the company's fortieth anniversary year.

An epic story of families and wars and the making of nations, DruidShakespeare is an exploration of English history through an Irish lens. "The question we are asking is how, in the context of the historical relationship between Ireland and England, do we as Irish artists produce these plays today?" says Druid Artistic Director Garry Hynes.

With an ensemble cast of thirteen actors this major new theatre-event will premiere in Druid's home, The Mick Lally Theatre in Galway before embarking on an extensive Irish tour to Letterkenny, Sligo, Castlebar, Limerick, Skibereen and will premiere internationally in New York at the prestigious 2015 Lincoln Center Festival. In August Kilkenny Arts Festival in association with Druid will present a site-specific production of the plays in the castle yard where Richard II stayed when fighting his 'Irish wars'.

Directed by Tony-award winner Garry Hynes, Mark O'Rowe's new pared down version of Shakespeare's four history plays, the key foundational narrative of the English monarchy-Richard II, Henry IV (Pts. 1 & 2), and Henry V, will be presented as an epic theatrical experience, performed by a superlative cast which includes members of the hugely celebrated Druid Ensemble.

"Druid commissioned one of Ireland's most exciting writers, Mark O'Rowe to adapt these great plays," says Ms. Hynes. "This collaboration, along with a cast of Ireland's finest actors, is a tremendously exciting opportunity. Acting is first and foremost an act of imagination, both on the part of the actors and the audience. That act of imagination transcends nationality, character, geography and background and we see no reason why it shouldn't transcend gender too. Accordingly, our actors have been cast without regard to their own gender. For example, the three kings - Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V - are played by one male and two female actors. This decision further allows us to look at these plays of war and patriarchy through another lens."

In an exciting development the production will encompass not just The Mick Lally Theatre but will extend across the lane to the 13th century Hall of the Red Earl , creating a unique celebration of the work and a new chapter in the company's history in what will be a wonderful voyage through a part of Galway that has been home to Druid for so long: Druid Lane.

Wildfire Films will also produce a documentary for RTE following the journey of the making of the plays. It will be directed by Maurice Sweeney and screened in the autumn.

Druid excels at producing world class theatre as exemplified in previous large scale projects presented both nationally and internationally: DruidMurphy: Three Plays by Tom Murphy (2012), O'Casey's The Silver Tassie (2010), and DruidSynge (six plays by Synge in 2006) described by the New York Times as "a highlight not just of my theatregoing year but of my theatregoing life" preceded by the four time Tony Award-winning Leenane Trilogy by Martin McDonagh (West End and Broadway in 1998).

In additional news Ms. Hynes announced the appointment of Druid Ensemble member Marty Rea as New Writing Associate. "It will be very exciting to see the point of view of the actor being brought into the process of the development of new writing" says Ms Hynes. "This is a natural step in the development of the role of the Ensemble in Druid's work."

Ms. Hynes also announced a continuation of FUEL: Druid's Emerging Artists Residency. Based on the success of last year's initiative, the company has confirmed it will continue to provide rehearsal space, hot desk facilities, production support and professional advice to emerging artists based in the West of Ireland for 2015 following an open call later this year.

Druid would like to acknowledge the continuing support of the Arts Council, Culture Ireland, NUIG and Galway City Council. DruidShakespeare is a co-production with Lincoln Centre Festival.

Druid has brought together an incomparable cast and production team for this major undertaking. Full credits and tour schedule below.

CAST:

Clare Barrett

Derbhle Crotty

Gavin Drea

Bosco Hogan

Garrett Lombard

Karen McCartney

Charlotte McCurry

Aaron Monaghan

Marie Mullen

Rory Nolan

John Olohan

Aisling O'Sullivan

Marty Rea

CREATIVE:

Director: Garry Hynes

Associate Director - Design: Francis O'Connor

Associate Director - Movement: David Bolger

Assistant Costume Designer: Doreen McKenna

Lighting Design: James F. Ingalls

Sound Design: Gregory Clarke

Music Director: Conor Linehan

Dramaturg: Thomas Conway

Voice Coach: Andrew Wade

TOUR DATES:

Galway: Previews 9 - 14 May; Opening on 17 May until 30 May, The Mick Lally Theatre, Druid

Letterkenny: 3 - 6 June, An Grianan

Sligo: 9 -13 June, The Hawkswell

Castlebar: 17 -20 June, Royal TF

Limerick: 23 - 27 June, The Lime Tree Theatre

Skibereen: 29 - 30 June - Skibereen Town Hall

New York: 7 - 19 July, Lincoln Centre Festival, Gerald W. Lynch Theater

Kilkenny: 6 -15 August, Kilkenny Arts Festival, The Castle Yard

Tickets for DruidShakespeare will be on sale nationwide from Monday 9th March at 10am and can be purchased for all venues via www.druid.ie or by contacting the venue directly. Tickets from €52. See venues for details and promotions. To read more about DruidShakespeare see www.druid.ie.

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