Geoffrey Streatfeild, Chuk Iwuji - 25 December 2008

On Thursday 25 December 2008, there was a fabulous documentary on More4 called To Be Or Not To Be In Shakespeare, devoted to the perils and joys of being a Shakespearean actor. It featured interviews with a whole host of RSC alumni, including Geoffrey Streatfeild, Chuk Iwuji, and Michael Boyd. While it is sadly too late to catch it on TV, it is still possible (and recommended!) to watch online until late January.

Thank you, Anna! ^_^

How to get your Histories fix this Christmas

Television
Monday 22 December, 2pm - Rosemary and Thyme, ITV1, with Jonathan Slinger.
Tuesday 23 December, 7.55pm - Midsomer Murders, ITV3, with Geoffrey Freshwater.
Sunday 28 December, 8pm - The 39 Steps, BBC One, with Sandy Neilson.

Radio
Thursday 25 December, 2.15pm - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, BBC Radio 4, with Chuk Iwuji.
Saturday 27 December, 9pm - Coram Boy (part 2), BBC Radio 4, with Jonathan Slinger.

Theatre
Treasure Island, Theatre Royal Haymarket, London. Running until 10 January, with Matt Costain.
The Playboy of the Western World, Abbey Theatre, Dublin. Running until 31 January, with Chuk Iwuji.
Oliver!, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London. Running until 29 September, with Julius D'Silva.

Online
Exploring Shakespeare - Henry V.
Exploring Shakespeare - Richard III.
YouTube - RSC transforms the Roundhouse.
YouTube - Final performance of the RSC's Histories.
WhatsOnStage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards, voting open until 31 January.
Beyond the Histories.

Hope you all have a cracking holiday season, whatever you get up to, and a most delightful new year! We already have some awesome Histories-related productions coming up for 2009, and I'm very much looking forward to learning about more. :3

Keith Bartlett - 27 January to 7 March 2009

Keith Bartlett will be appearing in The Lifesavers at Theatre503, London, and the Mercury Theatre, Colchester. The production runs from 27 January to 21 February 2009 at Theatre503, and tickets are onsale now. It will then transfer to the Mercury Theatre from 24 February to 7 March, and tickets are onsale now. This is a new play from award-winning playwright Fraser Grace, and will be directed by Paul Robinson.

Richard Cordery - 23 January to 28 February 2009

Richard Cordery will be appearing in Spring Awakening at the Lyric Hammersmith, London. The production runs from 23 January to 28 February 2009, and tickets are onsale now. This is the UK premiere of the award-winning Broadway musical, based on Frank Wedekind's controversial play, and will be directed by Michael Mayer. Richard is playing the Adult Men.

Jonathan Slinger - September 2008

Jonathan Slinger has been filming a BBC Drama production called Hunter. This two-part drama, also featuring Geoffrey Streatfeild, has been filming in London during September 2008. There is no date for broadcast at present, but it is due to air on BBC One sometime in early 2009. Jonathan is playing DC Miles.

Maureen Beattie - 15 to 19 December 2008

Maureen Beattie will be part of BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour Drama this week. A Small Town Murder is a crime mystery by Scott Cherry, and will be told in five parts. It will be broadcast daily from Monday 15 to Friday 19 December 2008 at 10.45am and 7.45pm on Radio 4. You can either tune in the traditional way, or listen online. You can also listen online for up to 7 days after broadcast. Maureen is playing DI Long.

Jonathan Slinger - 14 and 21 December 2008

Jonathan Slinger will be part of BBC Radio 4's Coram Boy radio adaptation. This is a new production of the popular novel by Jamila Gavin, adapted by Gavin for radio and directed by Celia de Wolff. It will be broadcast in two parts on Sunday 14 and Sunday 21 December 2008 at 3pm on Radio 4. You can either tune in the traditional way, or listen online. You can also listen online for up to 7 days after broadcast. Jonathan is playing Alexander, as narrator.

Thank you, Carol. ^_^

John Mackay - 15 May to 2 October 2009

John Mackay will be appearing in Julius Caesar at the Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon. The production runs from 15 May to 2 October 2009, and tickets are onsale now. This particular production is one of the first plays from the new long-term RSC ensemble, and will be directed by Lucy Bailey. John is playing Cassius.

WOS Theatregoers' Choice Awards - nominations announced!

The nominations for this year's WhatsOnStage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards have been announced, and the Histories have received recognition in six categories.

The SPOTLIGHT Best Actress in a Play
- Deanna Dunagan – August: Osage County at the NT Lyttelton
- Katy Stephens – The Histories, RSC at the Roundhouse
- Lesley Sharp – Harper Regan at the NT Cottesloe
- Lindsay Duncan – That Face at the Duke of York’s
- Margaret Tyzack – The Chalk Garden at the Donmar Warehouse
- Penelope Wilton – The Chalk Garden at the Donmar Warehouse

The AMBASSADOR TICKETS Best Ensemble Performance
- August: Osage County – at the NT Lyttelton
- Black Watch – National Theatre of Scotland at the Barbican
- Brief Encounter – at The Cinema, Haymarket
- Into the Hoods – at the Novello
- The Histories – RSC at the Roundhouse
- The Norman Conquests – at the Old Vic

Best Shakespearean Production
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream – at Shakespeare’s Globe
- Much Ado About Nothing – at the NT Olivier
- Othello – at the Donmar Warehouse
- The Histories – RSC at the Roundhouse
- The Merry Wives of Windsor – at Shakespeare’s Globe
- Twelfth Night – at the Tricycle

The SEATCHOICE Best Director
- Emma Rice – Brief Encounter at The Cinema, Haymarket
- Michael Grandage – Othello & The Chalk Garden at the Donmar Warehouse & Ivanov, Donmar West End at Wyndham’s
- Matthew Warchus – The Norman Conquests at the Old Vic
- Michael Boyd – The Histories, RSC at the Roundhouse
- Rupert Goold – The Last Days of Judas Iscariot at the Almeida, Six Characters in Search of an Author at the Gielgud & No Man’s Land at the Duke of York’s
- Samuel West – Dealer’s Choice at Trafalgar Studios & Waste at the Almeida

Best Set Designer
- Eugene Lee – Imagine This at the New London
- Klara Zieglerova – Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward
- Miriam Buether – In the Red & Brown Water at the Young Vic
- Neil Murray – Brief Encounter at The Cinema, Haymarket
- Rob Howell – The Norman Conquests at the Old Vic
- Tom Piper – The Histories, RSC at the Roundhouse

The AKA Theatre Event of the Year
- David Tennant returning to the stage in Hamlet for the RSC
- The launch of the Donmar West End season at Wyndham’s
- La Clique’s London debut at the Hippodrome
- The in-the-round transformation of the Old Vic for The Norman Conquests
- The RSC’s staging of The Histories at the Roundhouse
- Widespread protests over arts funding cutbacks

Voting is open now until 31 January 2009. with the winners to be announced in the week commencing 9 February 2009. You can only vote once from each IP address, so make sure you're casting the votes you want to be casting. Tell your friends, and get voting!

Sandy Neilson - January 2009 to mid-2011

Sandy Neilson will be returning to the RSC as part of the new long-term ensemble. The ensemble will be together from January 2009 to mid-2011, and will be part of such exciting times as the very first performances in the new Royal Shakespeare Theatre in 2010, and the 50th anniversary of the RSC in 2011.

David Warner - 2008/2009

David Warner has been filming an ITV drama called Albert's Memorial. This one-off dark comedy, about a trio of World War II veterans, has been filming in France and Germany during 2008. It is due to air on ITV 1 sometime in 2009. David is playing Frank.

Evening Standard Theatre Awards - the results are in

There is good news and there is bad news concerning the Evening Standard Theatre Awards. The bad news is that the Histories Cycle did not receive any awards in any of the categories for which it had been nominated. The good news is that it was such an astounding achievement that the lovely Veronica Wadley - editor of the Standard and chair of the judging panel - chose to award the RSC a special editor's award for this indisputable event of 2008. :D

The full list of winners can be found here. Congratulations to Michael Grandage and all at the Donmar for the simply splendiferous year you're all having! ^_^

In the meantime (and I promise this is the last time I'll bring it up!), if you fancy doing some nominating of your own, the WhatsOnStage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards are accepting nominations for who should be shortlisted for their annual awards. If you have some spare minutes in the day, there are surely worse ways to spend them than seeking recognition for everyone's favourite ambitious Shakespeare project. ;) And hurry; nominations close Sunday 30 November!

Geoffrey Freshwater - 28 November 2008

Geoffrey Freshwater will be appearing in an episode of Doctors called 'Buried'. The episode in question will be airing on BBC One on Friday 28 November 2008 at 1.45pm. Geoffrey is playing Brian Hedley.

Katy Stephens, Forbes Masson, Clive Wood - 18 April to 3 October 2009

Katy Stephens, Forbes Masson, and Clive Wood will be appearing in As You Like It at the Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon. The production runs from 18 April to 3 October 2009, and tickets are onsale now. This particular production is one of the first plays from the new long-term RSC ensemble, and will be directed by Michael Boyd. Katy is playing Rosalind, and Forbes is playing Jacques.

The new ensemble will also include Greg Hicks, Kelly Hunter, Noma Dumezweni, and Mariah Gale. Hopefully they'll announce the entire ensemble soon; I can't wait to see who else is involved!

Thank you, Eleanor and mz_annethrope. :)

Chuk Iwuji - 16 December 2008 to 31 January 2009

Chuk Iwuji will be appearing in The Playboy of the Western World at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin. The production runs from 16 December 2008 to 31 January 2009, and tickets are onsale now. This is a new version of J.M. Synge's early twentieth century play, updated by Bisi Adigun and Roddy Doyle, and will be directed by Jimmy Fay. Chuk is playing Christy Mahon.

Nicholas Asbury

As I imagine most of you are aware, Nicholas Asbury kept us well entertained for the duration of the Histories Cycle; not just onstage, but also on the RSC website with his insightful, hilarious, and just plain wonderfully written blog. Well, come 2009, Oberon Books will be publishing his collected thoughts in the form of a book (provisionally) entitled Exit Pursued by a Badger. So spread the word, make sure your local bookshop knows you'll be buying a copy, and start making space on your bookcase next to your Histories Brochure!

Thank you, Eleanor. ^_^

Jonathan Slinger

Back in August, Jonathan Slinger gave an interview to staff of the Department of Theatre Studies at the University of Warwick. Interview with Jonathan Slinger is all about Richard II, a role with which Jonathan has quite an exciting history stretching back much further than the Histories Cycle. Easily one of the better half hours I've spent recently, so definitely give it a listen!

Thank you, Eva. ^_^

Evening Standard Theatre Awards - nominations shortlist confirmed

The nominee shortlist for this year's Evening Standard Theatre Awards has been confirmed, and although Jonathan Slinger's amazing Richards sadly did not make the cut, the Histories are still receiving recognition in two categories.

THE SYDNEY EDWARDS AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR
- Michael Boyd - The History Cycle (Royal Shakespeare Company at the Roundhouse)
- Michael Grandage - Othello/The Chalk Garden/Ivanov (Donmar West End at Wyndham's and Donmar Warehouse)
- John Tiffany - Black Watch (National Theatre of Scotland at Barbican)

THE MILTON SHULMAN AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING NEWCOMER
- Felicity Jones - The Chalk Garden (Donmar Warehouse)
- Lex Shrapnel - Henry IV Part I (Royal Shakespeare Company at The Roundhouse)
- Ella Smith - Fat Pig (Trafalgar Studios and Comedy Theatre)

The awards will be announced on Monday 24 November 2008.

In the meantime, if you fancy doing some nominating of your own, the WhatsOnStage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards are accepting nominations for who should be shortlisted for their annual awards. If you have some spare minutes in the day, there are surely worse ways to spend them than seeking recognition for everyone's favourite ambitious Shakespeare project. ;)

Geoffrey Streatfeild - September 2008

Geoffrey Streatfeild has been filming a BBC Drama production called Hunter. This two-part drama, a sequel to 2007's Five Days, has been filming in London during September 2008. There is no date for broadcast at present, but it is due to air on BBC One sometime in early 2009. Geoffrey is playing DS Nick Dyer.

Antony Bunsee - 2008

Antony Bunsee has joined the cast of Hollyoaks. This soap opera, now in its thirteenth year, airs at 6.30pm every weekday evening on Channel 4, with an omnibus edition on Sunday mornings. Antony is playing Gov Roy.

Thank you, Helen. ^_^

Evening Standard Theatre Awards - nominations longlist announced!

The nominee longlist for this year's Evening Standard Theatre Awards has been announced, and the Histories have received recognition in three categories.

BEST ACTOR
- Kenneth Branagh - Ivanov (Donmar West End at Wyndham's)
- David Calder - King Lear (Shakespeare's Globe)
- Adam Godley - Rain Man (Apollo)
- Chiwetel Ejiofor - Othello (Donmar Warehouse)
- Will Keen - Waste (Almeida)
- Simon Russell Beale - Much Ado About Nothing (National's Olivier)
- Jonathan Slinger - Richard II and Richard III (RSC at the Roundhouse)
- Kevin Spacey - Speed-the-Plow (Old Vic)

THE SYDNEY EDWARDS AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR
- Lucy Bailey - Timon of Athens (Shakespeare's Globe)
- Michael Boyd - The History Cycle (Royal Shakespeare Company at the Roundhouse)
- Rupert Goold - Six Characters In Search Of An Author (Gielgud)/No Man's Land (Duke of York's)/The Last Days Of Judas Iscariot (Almeida)
- Michael Grandage - Othello/The Chalk Garden/Ivanov (Donmar West End at Wyndham's and Donmar Warehouse)
- Katie Mitchell - The Women of Troy (National's Lyttelton)
- Emma Rice - Brief Encounter (Kneehigh at Cinema Haymarket Theatre)
- Alan Rickman - Creditors (Donmar Warehouse)
- John Tiffany - Black Watch (National Theatre of Scotland at Barbican)

THE MILTON SHULMAN AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING NEWCOMER
- Michelle Dockery - Pygmalion (Old Vic)
- Luke Evans - Small Change (Donmar Warehouse)
- Felicity Jones - The Chalk Garden (Donmar Warehouse)
- Joseph Mawle - The Last Days Of Judas Iscariot (Almeida)
- Lex Shrapnel - Henry IV Part I (Royal Shakespeare Company at The Roundhouse)
- Ella Smith - Fat Pig (Trafalgar Studios and Comedy Theatre)

The full shortlist should be available on Friday 7 November 2008, and the awards themselves will be announced on Monday 24 November 2008.

In the meantime, if you fancy doing some nominating of your own, the WhatsOnStage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards are accepting nominations for who should be shortlisted for their annual awards. If you have some spare minutes in the day, there are surely worse ways to spend them than seeking recognition for everyone's favourite ambitious Shakespeare project. ;)

Is it just me or is this US election malarkey totally exciting?! :D

Keith Dunphy - November 2008

Keith Dunphy will be part of BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour Drama this week. Tune in for dramatisations of key scenes from Chekhov's life based on Irene Nemirovsky's biography. They will be broadcast at 10.45am and 7.45pm on Radio 4. You can either tune in the traditional way, or listen online. You can also listen online for up to 7 days after broadcast. Keith is playing Sasha Chekhov.

Keith Bartlett, Geoffrey Freshwater, Alexia Healy - October 2008

Keith Bartlett was in an episode of Doctors called 'Hunger Strike'. The episode in question first aired on BBC One on Friday 10 October 2008 and was directed by Bob Tomson. Keith played Stephen Privett.


Geoffrey Freshwater was in a two-episode story of The Bill called 'Hold Me Tight'. The episodes in question first aired on ITV1 on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October 2008 and were directed by Richard Standeven. Geoffrey played Bob Riley.


Alexia Healy was in an episode of The Bill called 'Fools Rush In'. The episode in question first aired on ITV1 on Thursday 23 October 2008 and was directed by Jamie Annett. Alexia played Ellie Greenhill.


It's startlingly difficult to keep on top of the long-running drama series like these. If anyone knows of any handy links or cunning ways of keeping track, I'd be very pleased to hear from you! As ever, apologies for the hindsighted post. :(

Anthony Shuster - 24 November to 20 December 2008

Anthony Shuster will be appearing in The Ballad of Crazy Paola at the Arcola Theatre, London. The production runs from 24 November to 20 December 2008, and tickets are onsale now. This is a new translation of a play by Arne Sieren, translated by Stephen Greenhorn, and will be directed by Nadia Latif. Anthony is playing Raymond.

Julius D'Silva - 12 December 2008 to 26 September 2009

Julius D'Silva will be appearing in Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London. The production runs from 12 December 2008, is currently booking until 26 September 2009, and tickets are onsale now. This is a revival of Lionel Bart's classic musical, with Nancy and Olivers as seen on TV, and it will be directed by Rupert Goold. Julius is playing Mr. Bumble.

Kieran Hill - 31 October to 29 November 2008

Kieran Hill will be appearing in Death of a Salesman at the York Theatre Royal, York. The production runs from 31 October to 29 November 2008, and tickets are onsale now. This will be a new production of the American classic by Arthur Miller, and it will be directed by Damian Cruden. Kieran is playing Happy.

David Warner - 26 October 2008

David Warner will be appearing in the forthcoming drama In Love with Barbara. It's a one-off feature based on the life of Dame Barbara Cartland and her friendship with Lord Mountbatten, and is directed by Tim Whitby. It will be broadcast on BBC Four on Sunday 26 October 2008 at 9pm. David is playing Lord Mountbatten.

Thank you, Robin. ^_^

RSC Fundraising Gala - 28 October 2008

The RSC are holding a fundraising gala on Tuesday 28 October 2008 at the Lawrence Hall, Greycoat Street, Victoria, London. The evening will feature performances from various RSC actors, past and present, including:

"From the sell-out Histories season: Chuk Iwuji will be performing a speech from Henry VI Part III, Geoffrey Streatfeild reprises his role as Henry V in a scene with Alexia Healy and Hannah Barrie, and Jonathan Slinger brings back to life his critically acclaimed Richard II. Other members of Histories ensemble will be re-creating their exhilarating fight scenes within the dramatic backdrop of the Art Deco Lawrence Hall."

There will also be a selection of other performances, an auction of wonderful things, and an array of other RSC alumni in attendance, including Maureen Beattie, Miles Richardson, and Clive Wood. Tickets are still available for the not inconsiderable sum of £800 (sadly that's not a typo).

For more information, check out the press release!

Thank you, Annabelle and Carol. ^_^

Jonathan Slinger - 26 October 2008

Jonathan Slinger will be appearing in the first episode of the new BBC Drama production Little Dorrit. It's a 14-part serialisation based on the Charles Dickens novel, has an array of directors, and was filming over the summer of 2008. It will be broadcast on BBC One on Sunday 26 October 2008 at 8pm. Jonathan is playing Waiter.

Paul Hamilton - 26 September to 11 October 2008

Paul Hamilton recently appeared in The Bloody Chamber at Northern Stage, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The production ran from 26 September to 11 October 2008. This was a new stage adaptation of Angela Carter's novel, adapted by Bryony Lavery, and it was directed by Neil Murray. Paul played the Marquis.

Apologies for another hindsighted post; my Google Fu obviously needs further strengthening.

Patrice Naiambana - autumn 2008

Patrice Naiambana is currently filming the BBC Wales production Torchwood. This third series of the Doctor Who spin-off will be five parts long and aired over the course of a single week; it will be directed by Euros Lyn, and has been filming in Cardiff since August 2008. It will be broadcast on BBC One in spring 2009.

David Warner - 30 November 2008

David Warner will be appearing in the BBC Scotland production of Wallander. It's a 3-part series based on the novels by Henning Mankell, is directed by Philip Martin and Niall MacCormick, and was filming in Ystad, Sweden, from April to June 2008. The first episode will be broadcast on BBC One on Sunday 30 November 2008 at 9pm. David is playing Povel Wallander.

Jonathan Slinger - 12 October 2008

Jonathan Slinger will be part of BBC Radio 3's The Duchess of Malfi radio adaptation. This is a new production of John Webster's classic tragedy, adapted for radio and directed by Roy McMillan. It will be broadcast on Sunday 12 October 2008 at 8pm on Radio 3. You can either tune in the traditional way, or listen online. You can also listen online for up to 7 days after broadcast. Jonathan is playing Ferdinand.

Thank you, Carol. ^_^
I hereby declare 12 October to be International Day of the Jonathan Slinger!

Jonathan Slinger - autumn 2008

Jonathan Slinger has been filming a new TV series called Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire. It's a co-production between Comedy Central, Hat Trick Productions, and the BBC, directed by Alex Hardcastle, and is filming on location in Budapest, Hungary, during 2008. There are no broadcast dates at present, but it looks like it'll be on air in the UK in late 2008, with a US broadcast to follow in early 2009. Jonathan is playing Biclops.

Thank you, mz_annethrope. ^_^

Jonathan Slinger - 12 October 2008

Jonathan Slinger will be appearing in an episode of A Touch of Frost called 'Mind Games'. It's brand-spanking new for 2008, and will be one of the last episodes before Sir David Jason hangs up his coat and scarf for good. It will be broadcast on ITV 1 on Sunday 12 October 2008 at 9pm. Jonathan is playing Carl Meyer.

Patrice Naiambana

This weekend sees a marvellous article on Patrice Naiambana in the Birmingham Post. Taking Othello to the limit - and the psychologist focuses in on the RSC's production of Othello that will be touring the UK next spring. It's an intriguing piece that covers not only Patrice's work on getting inside the character but also his personal performing past. Well worth a read!

Sandy Neilson - autumn 2008

Sandy Neilson is currently filming a BBC Drama production of The 39 Steps. It is a new version of the classic John Buchan novel, directed by James Hawes, and has been filming in Scotland from September 2008. It will be broadcast on BBC One on Boxing Day 2008.

Matt Costain - 7 November 2008 to 28 February 2009

Matt Costain will be appearing in Treasure Island at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London. The production runs from 7 November 2008 to 28 February 2009, and tickets are onsale now. This is a new version of the classic adventure novel, adapted by Ken Ludwig, and it will be directed by Sean Holmes. Matt is playing Israel Hands.

Wela Frasier - 2 to 25 October 2008

Wela Frasier will be appearing in A Taste of Honey at the Salisbury Playhouse, Salisbury. The production runs from 2 to 25 October 2008, and tickets are onsale now. This will be a revival of the play by Shelagh Delaney, now fifty years since it was first produced, and it will be directed by Mark Powell. Wela is playing Jimmie.

Forbes Masson - 29 January to 28 March 2009

Forbes Masson will be appearing in King Lear at the Young Vic, London. The production runs from 29 January to 28 March 2009, and tickets are onsale from Monday 20 October 2008. It is a West End transfer of the Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse production. This production of the Shakespearean tragedy is a part of the celebration of Liverpool as the 2008 European Capital of Culture, and it is directed by Rupert Goold. Forbes is playing the Fool.

Katy Stephens - 2 October to 22 November 2008

Katy Stephens will be appearing in Shared Experience's touring production of Mine. The tour will play the following:
Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, 2 to 4 October 2008
Hampstead Theatre, London, 7 to 25 October 2008
Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, 30 October to 1 November 2008
Minerva Theatre, Chichester, 4 to 8 November 2008
Nuffield Theatre, Southampton, 11 to 15 November 2008
West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, 18 to 22 November 2008
This will be directed by Polly Teale. Katy is playing Woman.

Forbes Masson - 30 October to 29 November 2008

Forbes Masson will be appearing in King Lear at the Everyman & Playhouse, Liverpool. The production runs from 30 October to 29 November 2008, and tickets are onsale now. This production of the Shakespearean tragedy is a part of the celebration of Liverpool as the 2008 European Capital of Culture, and it is directed by Rupert Goold. Forbes is playing the Fool.

Maureen Beattie - 30 August 2008

Maureen Beattie was on BBC Radio 7's Dad Made Me Laugh this morning. This fifth episode in a series of seven saw Maureen talking to Sally Magnusson about her father, Johnny Beattie. While it's too late to tune in the traditional way, the programme will be available through the BBC website until Saturday 6th September.

Matt Costain - 16 June to 12 July 2008

Matt Costain recently appeared in Monkey! at the Quarry Theatre, Leeds. The production ran from 16 June to 12 July 2008. This was an aerial-based visual spectacular, based on the old Chinese legend, and it was directed by Dominic Leclerc. Matt played Buddha/Yama, King of Death.

Editor's note: I didn't find out about this production until after it had already finished. I hemmed and hawed for a while, then decided I may as well add it to the blog anyway. It may be too late for any of us to see it, but I'd rather have a more complete history of the ensemble than try to ignore my errors. Hopefully we'll catch the next one in time!

Rob Carroll - 3 to 21 June 2008

Rob Carroll recently appeared in The Smilin' State at the Hackney Empire, London. The production ran from 3 to 21 June 2008. This was a new play by Noel White, and it was directed by Omar F.Okai. Rob played Bruce Huffman.

Editor's note: I didn't find out about this production until after it had already finished. I hemmed and hawed for a while, then decided I may as well add it to the blog anyway. It may be too late for any of us to see it, but I'd rather have a more complete history of the ensemble than try to ignore my errors. Hopefully we'll catch the next one in time!

RSC Open Day - 31 August 2008

The closer we get to the RSC Open Day, Sunday 31 August 2008, the more information there is and the more exciting the day sounds! I wouldn't be mentioning it again, but now that there's more information, I thought I'd point out events that may be of specific interest to those who read this blog.

Michael Boyd: Ensemble, The Shakespeare Institute, 10 - 11am
Following the success of the Histories ensemble, RSC Artistic Director Michael Boyd and new RSC Associate Director Roxana Silbert discuss what ensemble means to them.
FREE. Booking required. Please ring the Box Office on 0844 800 1114.

Learning the ropes - aerial display, The Courtyard Theatre, Auditorium, 10.45 - 11.15am
Members of the Histories ensemble perform an aerial display and give an insight into the techniques used.
FREE. Booking required. Please ring the Box Office on 0844 800 1114.

Elizabethan Dancing, The Courtyard Theatre, Auditorium, 3.45 - 4.45pm
Inspired by BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing, watch RSC actors performing Elizabethan dance in front of our special panel of judges including Ray Fearon and Michael Boyd.
£5. Please ring the Box Office on 0844 800 1114.

There's also a whole host of events featured as-yet-unspecified "RSC actors" who may or may not be relevant to our interests. I suppose we shall find out on the day!

Visit the RSC website for more information and to buy tickets!

David Warner - 2008

David Warner has been recording a new Doctor Who audio adventure for Big Finish called Doctor Who Unbound: Masters Of War. It's a sequel to the 2003 audio adventure Sympathy For The Devil (which also featured a young Scottish chap name of David Tennant in a supporting role), directed by Jason Haigh-Ellery, and is a story from the Third Doctor era. It will be available to buy on CD from 30 December 2008. David is playing the Doctor.

Maureen Beattie - 18 to 22 August 2008

Maureen Beattie will be reading Radio 4's Book of the Week, Corvus: A Life With Birds by Esther Woolfson. It's a natural history book about Woolfson's relationship and fascination with corvids, such as rooks, crows, magpies. Selected extracts will be broadcast every weekday morning, from 18 to 22 August 2008, at 9.45am on Radio 4. You can either tune in the traditional way, or listen online. You can also listen online for up to 7 days after broadcast.

Patrice Naiambana - 15 August 2008

Patrice Naiambana will be presenting The Man Who Committed Thought at the Baxter Theatre Centre, Cape Town. This will be for one performance only on Friday 15 August, and tickets are free. The Man Who Committed Thought is Patrice's own solo show, for which he won the Edinburgh Fringe First award. Patrice is playing all five parts.

Miles Richardson

There's a nifty article on Miles Richardson in today's Birmingham Post. Meet RSC's man on a mission is all about the RSC's mission to further Shakespeare in education. Two months ago, Miles became an alumnus of Warwick University, being the first RSC actor to receive a postgraduate certificate in the teaching of Shakespeare. As someone who only came to Shakespeare recently, I heartily applaud any and every effort on the part of the RSC to get 'em while they're young. Well done Miles, and roll on a bard-filled future! ^_^

Katy Stephens - 7 to 25 October 2008

Katy Stephens will be appearing in Mine at the Hampstead Theatre, London. The production runs from 7 to 25 October 2008, and tickets are onsale now. This is a new play by joint Artistic Director of Shared Experience, Polly Teale, who is also directing the piece. The production is due to go on tour once it finishes its London run. Katy is playing Woman.

RSC Open Day - 31 August 2008

The RSC Open Day will be held in Stratford-upon-Avon this summer on Sunday 31st August. There's a whole array of events planned at a variety of venues, and it should be awesome. I actually have no idea if any of the Histories ensemble will be in attendance, but I shall certainly keep my eyes peeled for them. But even if they're not there (all busy working on exciting new projects, one hopes!), there's still enough going on to keep anybody busy! If you're free, you could certainly do worse than head for Shakespeare-land for the day. ^_^

Visit the RSC website for more information and to buy tickets!

Jonathan Slinger - summer 2008

Jonathan Slinger has had a day's filming this summer in forthcoming BBC Drama production Little Dorrit. It's a 14-part serialisation based on the Charles Dickens novel, has an array of directors, and has been filming since April 2008. It will be broadcast on BBC One in autumn 2008.

Thank you, my source. ^_^

John Mackay - 10 September to 8 November 2008

John Mackay will be appearing in Six Characters in Search of an Author at the Gielgud Theatre, London. The production runs from 10 September to 8 November 2008, and tickets are onsale now. It is a West End transfer of the Chichester Festival Theatre production. This is a new version of the play by Rupert Goold and Ben Power, based on the Luigi Pirandello original, and it is directed by Rupert Goold. John is playing Executive/Mr. Pace.

Geoffrey Streatfeild

There is a nice interview with Geoffrey Streatfeild in this month's online Vine magazine. A Sevenoaks-educated Shakespeare star discusses Geoffrey's acting history, from childhood to the present day, and while he may not know what he's going to be doing next, he's holding out for something exciting, and isn't averse to going on to do even more Shakespeare. Watch this space!

Anthony Shuster - August 2008

Anthony Shuster is currently filming a BBC Drama production called A Short Stay in Switzerland. It's a one-off drama based on a true story, directed by Simon Curtis, and will be filming in London from August 2008. It will be broadcast on BBC One in winter 2009. Anthony is playing Stephen.

Thank you, mz_annethrope. ^_^

Lex Shrapnel - 2008/2009?

Lex Shrapnel has been cast in Channel Five's remake of classic TV series Minder. It will be a six-part series, each episode lasting an hour, and is being produced by Talkback Thames. It will be - presumably - filmed in London over the coming months. It will be broadcast on Channel Five in 2009. Lex is playing Jamie Collins.