Derek Jacobi and Richard Clifford to Lead World Premiere of MEASURE + DIDO Celebrating Shakespeare

Renowned actor Derek Jacobi stars with actor/director Richard Clifford and the acclaimed early musicians of Washington DC's Folger Consort in the world premiere performances of MEASURE + DIDO, celebrating the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's legacy. Presented by NapaShakes and Folger Shakespeare Library, this extraordinary production combines dramatic readings of William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure with excerpts from Henry Purcell's chamber opera Dido and Aeneas to create a perfect depiction of the ecstasy and excesses of love. With a cast of 27 including Peter Becker (baritone), Molly Quinn (soprano), and Emily Noël (soprano), don't miss the first performances of this historic pairing of two monumental works, starring one of the world's most respected and beloved actors, before it moves to the Eisenhower Theater at Washington, DC's Kennedy Center in October.

World premiere on September 24 at 7 pm at the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater, Yountville. Tickets $35, $55, and $125 VIP package (includes complimentary valet parking, private pre show champagne reception, preferred theater seating, and post show "World Premiere Celebration" with the cast including Derek Jacobi, Richard Clifford and Folger Consort musicians). Tickets at www.lincolntheater.org

Special Encore Presentation on September 25 at 7 pm, at the spectacular Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Sonoma State University. Tickets $35 - $75 at https://tickets.sonoma.edu/gmc/

This World Premiere production is part of the global observance of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's legacy, including NapaShakes' Shakespeare400 Celebration.
Runtime: 2 hours with a 10-minute intermission

More information, Cast Bios and Ticket Links at: WWW.NAPASHAKES.ORG/TICKETS

Derek Jacobi is one of the world's most respected and beloved theater and film actors. One of only two actors ever to receive two Knighthoods and celebrating nearly 60 years in the industry, he currently stars in two PBS television series: Vicious and Last Tango in Halifax, and is appearing onstage in London as Mercutio in Kenneth Branagh's Romeo & Juliet, where he "steals the show" (The Londonist). His distinguished film career spans over 50 feature films including Hamlet, Henry V, The King's Speech, Gosford Park and Cinderella. Derek Jacobi has starred in many popular television series including the epic I, Claudius, which premiered in America 40 years ago in 1976, and he is a multiple Emmy, Olivier and Tony Award winner.

Celebrating 40 years as early music ensemble in residence at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, Folger Consort has delighted audiences with a stunning array of early music spanning roughly 600 years of repertoire, winning awards and international acclaim.

Director and co-star Richard Clifford is celebrated both in the UK and the US. He recently directed Schiller's Mary Stuart for Folger Theatre; previous productions with Folger Consort include The Tempest and Purcell's The Fairy Queen with passages from A Midsummer Night's Dream. Film/TV credits include My Week with Marilyn, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tudors.

NapaShakes is a nonprofit dedicated to presenting the world's greatest interpreters of Shakespeare and classical theater through year-round professional productions in the Napa Valley and beyond, plus dynamic community outreach and educational programs. For more information, visit www.NapaShakes.org.

Folger Shakespeare Library is the world's largest Shakespeare collection, the ultimate resource for exploring Shakespeare and his world. Learn more at www.folger.edu.

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