The RSC asks for applications across the country for theatre companies to submit ides for staging a Shakespearean production. Those chosen work closely with the RSC on workshops to help improve their work and support their production. After being staged at their own venue, the companies performat a local professional theatre before possibly performing at the RSC itself in Stratford Upon Avon.
Whole Hog’s production entry was an ambitious one, to stage a Shakespearean play in 3 diverse spaces and thereby learn about the nature of theatre performance for the actors and how each space challenges them. The 3 spaces are a 50 seat pub theatre, a modern thrust stage and a 19th century Frank
Matcham designed proscenium arch theatre!
Whole Hog’s play choice was the Bard’s celebrated romantic-comedy
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. The play will be given 1940’s Sicilian setting where the army returning from war are members of Sicily’s ‘Honoured Society’. Whole Hog founding member Steve Sprosson will continue his excellent work in Shakespeare by playing the cynical Benedick with Fenella Harrop taking on the feisty and independent Beatrice.
Whole Hog will spend a weekend in Stratford with the RSC at the
end of September to meet the other 99 companies involved and start
workshops.
Further blogs will appear giving you the fully story on that weekend!