Full casting announced and new dates announced for Hamlet on Tour in UK and Europe, 2012

18th May 2012

A full casting for the production of Hamlet has been announced by Shakespeare’s Globe. This small-

scale production will be heading to a variety of outdoor UK regional venues, as well as venues in

Spain and Austria. Hamlet begins its tour in Portsmouth on the 7 June and will finish in London at the

Globe on 1 September. New dates have been added to the tour schedule with the production also

visiting King’s College Fellow’s Gardens in Cambridge from 4 – 8 July.

Artistic Director of the Globe Dominic Dromgoole and Globe regular Bill Buckhurst will co-direct

Hamlet, which is widely considered to be Shakespeare’s masterpiece. Hamlet encompasses political

intrigue and sexual obsession, philosophical reflection and violent action, tragic depth and wild

humour.

During his time at Shakespeare’s Globe, Dominic has directed Shakespeare’s Henry V (2012), Henry

IV Parts 1 and 2 (2010), Love’s Labour’s Lost (2007 and 2009), Romeo and Juliet (2009) and King

Lear (2008). Bill has worked most recently with Globe Education, directing A Midsummer Night's

Dream, Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet for its Playing Shakespeare with Deutsche Bank project. He has

also directed Tinderbox (Tooting Arts Club), Riff Raff (Arcola) and The Vegemite Tales (West

End/Riverside Studios). As an actor Bill has performed in seasons at the RSC, The Royal Court,

Shakespeare’s Globe and with Propeller and Oxford Stage Company.

Taking on the role of Hamlet is RADA graduate, Michael Benz. Since graduating, Michael has

performed in Trevor Nunn’s productions of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and The Tempest,

with Ralph Fiennes at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2011. He made his Globe debut in 2009 in A

New World directed by Dominic Dromgoole and As You Like It directed by Thea Sharrock.

Carlyss Peer will be taking on the role of Ophelia. Carlyss performed in Sir Peter Hall’s production of

The Rivals both in Bath and London. Peter Bray also joins this cast and both Peter and Carlyss made

their Globe debut in Bill Buckhurst’s A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream.

Tom Lawrence who appeared in the 2011 production of Hamlet will be taking on the role of Horatio.

Matthew Romain, who most recently appeared in The Recruiting Officer at Donmar Warehouse will

also be joining the cast.

Miranda Foster will be appearing as Gertrude. Miranda last appeared at the Globe in Romeo and

Juliet directed by Dominic Dromgoole and The God of Soho directed by Raz Shaw in 2011.

Christopher Saul will be taking on the role of Polonius. Christopher has performed a number of times

with the RSC, including performing New York in Julius Caesar and King Lear in 2011. Dickon Tyrell

will be taking on the role of the Ghost. Dickon has appeared a number of times at the Globe in

Othello, Henry VIII and most recently in Anne Boleyn.

Using an Elizabethan-inspired stage – influenced by paintings and etchings from Shakespeare’s time,

when touring was prevalent – eight actors will visit beautiful and inspiring settings across the UK and

Europe with this scaled-down production. To find out all touring locations and booking information visit

shakespearesglobe.com

Listings Information – Shakespeare’s Globe on Tour Hamlet 7

th June – 1

st September, 2012

Press viewing at the Globe: We encourage critics to consider reviewing these small-scale productions on location at one of the touring venues, in order to view them in the surroundings they are designed for. However, tickets to Hamlet at the Globe are available for Thursday 14

th June at 7.30pm. Please

contact julia.e@shakespearesglobe.com to arrange any press tickets. Cast: Michael Benz, Peter Bray, Tom Lawrence, Carlyss Peer, Matthew Romain, Miranda Foster, Christopher Saul and Dickon Tyrrell. Directed by Dominic Dromgoole and Bill Buckhurst Designed by Jonathan Fensom Original score by Laura Forrest-Hay Composed and arranged by Bill Barclay Choreographed by Siân Williams Dates Venue 7 - 9 June Portsmouth, City Museum and Gardens* 11- 15 June London, Shakespeare’s Globe* 17 - 18 June Poole, Upton Country Park 26 June - 1 July 4 – 8 July

Spain, Festival Veranos de la Villa Cambridge, King’s College Fellows’ Gardens

10 - 26 July Oxford, Bodleian Library Quad 29 - 30 July Essex, Hedingham Castle* 1 - 4 August Bungay, Bungay Castle 6 - 7 August West Sussex, Parham House* 10 -11 August 14 - 17 August 18 - 19 August 22 - 23 August 26 August 28 August 1 September

Austria, Art Canuntum Bowness-on-Windermere, Storrs Hall Hotel* Penrith, Brougham Hall* Dumfries, The Crichton* Vale of Glamorgan , St Donat’s Arts Centre London, Shakespeare’s Globe*

*Tickets available from Shakespeare’s Globe box office 020 7401 9919 or online at www.shakespearesglobe.org. Ends For press enquiries please contact: Rebecca Storey, Senior Press and PR Officer on 020 7902 1492 rebecca.s@shakespearesglobe.com For small-scale tours Julia Evans, on 020 7902 1542 julia.e@shakespearesglobe.com

Globe Exhibition and Tour is open all year round. For more information visit www.shakespearesglobe.com/exhibition

2012 Shakespeare’s Globe will present Globe to Globe, a multi-lingual Shakespeare festival to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games. Over the course of six weeks, starting on 21 April 2012, all of Shakespeare’s 37 plays will be performed in a different language, by different companies from around the world.

Indoor Jacobean Theatre: Shakespeare’s Globe is currently fundraising to build an indoor Jacobean theatre, opening in 2013. For further information please visit www.shakespearesglobe.com/indoorjacobeantheatre

Globe on Tour: The Globe’s productions tour the UK, Europe and America and the Globe is currently developing its touring schedule, as well as screening productions in cinemas. For more information www.shakespearesglobe.com/theatre/on-tour

Globe Education presents a programme of workshops, lectures, events and staged readings all year round. For more information this programme of events call Globe Education 020 7902 1438 or visit www.shakespearesglobe.com/education

Globe Shop stocks a variety of products, including theatre season specific merchandise. Shakespeare's Globe is a registered charity and all profits from sales go towards supporting our educational mission. Items can be bought at the onsite shop or online at www.shakespearesglobe.com/shop

Swan at the Globe bar and restaurant is open all year round. For reservations please call 020 7928 9444. www.loveswan.co.uk

The Shakespeare Globe Trust is a registered charity No.266916. Shakespeare’s Globe receives no public subsidy.