All The World’s A Stage (As You Like It)
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Present ‘Dockyard At Dusk’
In a brand new venture, this summer Portsmouth Historic Dockyard will present a truly unique opportunity to enjoy a night ‘out’ at the theatre in the exceptional surroundings of the world-famous HMS Victory, as ‘this huge stage presenteth nought but shows[i]’.
Starting the ‘Dockyard At Dusk’ season is the Royal Navy Theatre Association (RNTA) who are planning their most ambitious project yet by performing an outdoor production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing (18th-21st July).
The production, which is being directed by Lt Cdr Philippa Sargent, a member of HMS Collingwood’s Theatre Company, sees all three of the Portsmouth based theatre clubs joining together to put on what promises to be an amazing spectacle, having attended a workshop with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) as part of the RSC’s Open Stages programme.
Ian Wainwright, Producer of RSC Open Stages said “Everyone at the RSC is really excited about the production being staged by the Royal Navy. A lot of us had no idea that the Royal Navy even had an amateur theatre group”.
Much Ado About Nothing is a witty comedy about two sets of lovers drawn from a group of young men returning home from war, reminding us that “the course of true love never did run smooth”. Bringing the production right up-to-date the men will be a troop of Royal Marines returning from Afghanistan.
The ship is in her trim; the merry wind - The Comedy of Errors (Shakespeare)
On Thursday 23rd August, ‘Something wicked this way comes…’ as The Lord Chamberlain’s Men present Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The traditional all-male touring production of Shakespeare’s devastating and gripping thriller, with traditional costume and Elizabethan song and dance, is visiting the UK’s most beautiful and historic venues, of which Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a highlight.
When the triumphant soldier Macbeth discovers he''s destined to be the next King of Scotland, he and Lady Macbeth decide to risk everything in a desperate attempt to gain the throne. Macbeth’s violent dream of power becomes a paranoid nightmare.
At only two hours Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s shortest texts, but it contains some of his most famous lines, such as “Out damned spot- out I say”, “Double, double, toil and trouble” and “Is this a dagger I see before me?” Macbeth’s ghostly apparitions, action-packed sword fights and blood-soaked conclusion are sure to get the heart racing!
Mark Puddle, the company’s founder and creative director, says Macbeth has everything; a tragic love story, a lust for power and a drunken porter as well as fights, ghosts and plenty of blood! “Macbeth has always been considered one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays. The contrast of a beautiful summer’s evening and Macbeth’s tragic tale is a perfect fit for such an iconic location.”
The triumphant finale to the ‘Dockyard at Dusk’ season will be The Royal Marines Association Concert Band (RMACB) on Saturday 25th August.
The Royal Marines Band Service has built a world class reputation via their thrilling performances worldwide for over a century. Many of its musicians, on leaving the service, go on to successful music careers, but their links with the Royal Marines seldom diminish. In response to public demand these former RM musicians have formed their own band, which matches the highest standards of the serving bands. Between them they have over 1,500 years of accumulated music experience, possibly one of the most experienced bands in the country.
HMS Victory and the Georgian buildings of the National Museum of the Royal Navy provide the perfect splendour for a band whose history is closely connected to that of the Historic Dockyard. There will be also be a Corps of Drums from The Trafalgar Drummers in traditional Royal Marines uniforms, giving a display of old style drumming mixed in with new. Concert goers can enjoy a whole spectrum of music to suit all tastes from popular marches to big band, theatre and film classics conducted by Captain David Cole MVO, Mmus, ARAM RM. As Director of Music to Central Band of the Royal British Legion and Assistant Producer of the Royal Albert Hall Festival of Remembrance, David’s outstanding drive and panache, enthusiasm and the rapport he has with the audiences has brought the Royal Marines Association Concert Band to the forefront of concert music in the UK.
Listings
Performance Much Ado About Nothing - Royal Navy Theatre Association
Venue Portsmouth Historic Dockyard (Victory Arena)
Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 3LJ
Dates & Times Wednesday 18th – Saturday 21st July at 7.30pm (Gates open at 6.30pm)
Running Time Approx 2.5 hours including interval
Tickets £12 (Concs £10), includes free parking in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Car Park (follow the brown tourist signs for Historic Dockyard) from 6pm – 11pm.
Box Office 0844 880 5406 (£1.50 booking fee over the phone)
Online: www.historicdockyard.co.uk/tickets/dockyardatdusk
In person at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Visitor Centre, Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, PO1 3LJ
Please visit the website for full Terms and Conditions.
Any tickets not sold in advance will be available on the night.
Additional Info Folding seats are provided, but are not allocated so are on a first come first served basis regarding position/location.
There will be food concessions and a bar but you can bring your own picnic.
Performance Macbeth – Lord Chamberlain’s Men
Venue Portsmouth Historic Dockyard (Victory Arena)
Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 3LJ
Dates & Times Thursday 23rd August at 7.30pm (Gates open at 6.30pm)
Running Time Approx 2 hours including interval
Tickets £15 (Concs £10)
Box Office 0844 880 5406 (£1.50 booking fee over the phone)
Online: www.historicdockyard.co.uk/tickets/dockyardatdusk
In person at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Visitor Centre, Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, PO1 3LJ
Please visit the website for full Terms and Conditions.
Any tickets not sold in advance will be available on the night.
Additional Info Seats are not provided, so please bring your own picnic / camping chairs, picnic blanket, etc. Space for your own seating is not allocated so operates on a first come first served basis regarding position/location.
There will be food concessions and a bar but you can bring your own picnic.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard car park (off Queens Street, in Admiralty Road) will be open until 11pm, normal parking charges apply.
Performance The Royal Marines Association Concert Band
Venue Portsmouth Historic Dockyard (Victory Arena)
Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 3LJ
Dates & Times Saturday 25th August at 7.30pm (Gates open at 6.30pm)
Running Time Approx 2 hours including interval
Tickets £15 (Concs £10)
Box Office 0844 880 5406 (£1.50 booking fee over the phone)
Online: www.historicdockyard.co.uk/tickets/dockyardatdusk
In person at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Visitor Centre, Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, PO1 3LJ
Please visit the website for full Terms and Conditions.
Any tickets not sold in advance will be available on the night.
Additional Info Seats are not provided, so please bring your own picnic / camping chairs, picnic blanket, etc. Space for your own seating is not allocated so operates on a first come first served basis regarding position/location.
There will be food concessions and a bar but you can bring your own picnic.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard car park (off Queens Street, in Admiralty Road) will be open until 11pm, normal parking charges apply.
[i] Shakespeare’s Sonnets
