A Mid-Summer Night's Dream by C21

After the success of Romeo and Juliet in 2013, c21 brings Shakespeare’s clever comedy to the stage in the autumn.

This new adaptation, directed by Arthur Webb, and specially edited for schools and lovers of the Bard’s language, captures all the essence of love, intrigue and humour and is performed by a cast of six talented actors: Adrian Cooke, Ruth Jennings, Richard Priestly, Thomas Martin, Megan Armitage and Gerard McCabe

The play contains some strong, courtly, confused lovers, a band of good- hearted thespian workmen and some vengeful punk fairies but with the help of some love juice, an ass’s head, a wall and a lion, the domestic squabbles in the forest of Athens, are magically resolved and the play ends with celebration and marriage.

Don’t miss c21’s new and exciting ‘Dream’ production.

Touring to:

Braid Arts Centre on Monday 13th October - To book tickets click here
Antrim Grammar School on Tuesday 14th October
Riverside Theatre on Wednesday 15th October - To book tickets click here
Down Arts Centre on Friday 17th October - To book tickets click here
Methodist College on Tuesday 21st October
Baby Grand from Wednesday 22nd - Saturday 25th October - To book tickets click here

Coming up: Romeo and Juliet by C21 Theatre Company

After a great production at the Grand Opera House, C21 Theatre Company have returned with a tour of their thrilling bite size production of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, especially adapted for schools and smaller theatre venues.

This turbo-charged, pared-down version distills all the beauty, violence and tragedy of the original, with a dynamic cast bringing Shakespeare's words to exhilarating new life.

You can see my review of the previous production here.


Tour dates:
Monday 30 September 7pm Belvoir Players Book here

Tuesday 1 October 7pm Braid Arts Centre, Ballymena Book here

Wednesday 2 October 11am & 7pmThe Courtyard Theatre, Ballyearl, Newtownabbey Book here

Thursday 3 October 8pm Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick Book here

Friday 4 October 11am Conway Education Centre Book here 

Tuesday 8 October - Friday 11 October 10.30am & 7pm Crescent Arts Centre Book here  


Click here to find out more about c21Theatre Company


Classygenes

Romeo and Juliet

Tonight I went to see C21 Theatre Company's Romeo and Juliet at the Grand Opera House.  This is a show I last saw at the Globe Theatre and it lasted over 3 hours.  As we were in the Groundling area outdoors in the rain, my memory was that it was endlessly long and very uncomfortable.  C21 promised a shorter version aimed primarily at a secondary school audience.  The production comes in at 80 minutes which is perfect for it's audience.

First mention must go to Jolene O'Hara, a talented young actress who embodied the role of Juliet with ease.  Her delicate beauty and passionate performance was touching. The role of Juliet is a powerful one and I thought she dealt with it well. Romeo, played by Michael Lavery, was a good match for her in performance and also in passion.

The other cast members Mark Claney, Eoghan Lamb, Rachael McCabe and Dan Leith played various roles, and despite a few accent issues on occasion, all were strong.  As a whole the production enthralled the many teenagers in the audience. They sat wide eyed as the story developed and by the end a few were crying.

The show is touring to schools and thus the set and lighting was simple but effective.  The white nets of Juliet's balcony were put to good use as a symbol of innocence and virginity.  On the night of her marriage to Romeo, the lights coloured red and she was innocent no more.

Arthur Webb did a good job at directing the production.  His experience as an educator clear, his knowledge of teen minds meant that the audience's attention was not distracted.  Peppered with humorous moments, music and lots of not too passionate kissing, a teen audience will engage well.  Credit also is due for the adaptation which kept the scenes short and focussed.  A sterling presentation from C21 and great to see them in the Grand Opera House.

Click here to find out more about c21Theatre Company

Click here to book tickets for the Grand Opera House from 26 February - 2 March

Karen

http://twitter.com/classygenes

Bite sized Romeo and Juliet from c21 at the Grand Opera House

Next week I'm looking forward to seeing c21's bite sized version of Romeo and Juliet in the Baby Grand.

Sold as a turbo-charged, pared-down version of the famous romantic drama that will distill all the beauty, violence and tragedy of the original… but in less than 90 minutes.  The production has been especially adapted for schools and smaller theatre venues with the original script that has been adapted by Gary Wilson. 

Lisburn actor Michael Lavery and Belfast’s Jolene O'Hara star as the star-crossed lovers, heading up a dynamic cast bringing Shakespeare's words to exhilarating new life.  Shakespeare’s universally known language is still intact but in a more condensed and accessible form. The show will be directed by Arthur Webb who acknowledges that teachers often have a fear of teaching Shakespeare.  He promises that this new production makes the blank verse accessible and the narrative straightforward without diluting the enjoyment and sense. He finds that pupils are often more visual than auditory learners, as am I!

No longer a young upcoming company, c21 has been on the theatre scene in Northern Ireland now for 8 years.  It has established itself as a consistent and exciting player, staging a variety of productions from edgy comedy drama to pantomime.  The production is supported by Arts & Business and Burke Shipping Group.

The production opened today at the Craic in Coalisland, touring to the Grand Opera House, Riverside Theatre and Sean Hollywood Arts Centre as well as giving schools performances and workshops.

Click here to find out more about c21Theatre Company

Click here to book tickets for the Grand Opera House from 26 February - 2 March