Royal Shakespeare Co. to reprise residency

When the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) returns to the U-M campus for a three-week residency in 2006, the company will share three plays—including two featuring film and television star Patrick Stewart—offering the only presentation of the works this side of the Atlantic.

University Musical Society President Kenneth Fischer asked the Royal Shakespeare Company to offer a U.S. exclusive with classic Shakespearean plays for its planned 2006 residency at U-M—and group delivered, he said. (Photo by Lin Jones, U-M Photo Services)

University Musical Society (UMS) President Kenneth Fischer said when planning the third U-M residency he appealed to the RSC to offer a U.S. exclusive with classic Shakesperean plays that would speak to an American audience and feature a big-name star.

"Well, my friends, the RSC has delivered," Fischer said Dec. 7 as he announced The Festival of Shakespeare's Classics during a reception at the Clements Library.

The RSC will perform "Antony and Cleopatra," "Julius Caesar," and "The Tempest," during its October-November 2006 residency. British actor Patrick Stewart, an honorary associate artist with the RSC and Captain Jean-Luc Picard of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" fame, will perform the leading roles of Antony in "Antony and Cleopatra" and Prospero in "The Tempest." As in past residencies, the plays will utilize ensemble casting, with approximately 28 actors performing in all three titles.

President Mary Sue Coleman called the RSC residency continued evidence of the University's commitment to contributing to the cultural life of southeast Michigan.

"One elite theater troupe and one renowned university will equal three weeks of great performances for our community," Coleman said. "People will travel to Ann Arbor and to the University of Michigan from all over the country to experience these plays, these actors, and this very special opportunity. This is one more example of The Michigan Difference."

The RSC will give seven performances of each title in the Power Center for the Performing Arts Oct.24-Nov. 12. Additional daytime performances will be scheduled for children in what Fischer says will be an expanded educational program. As in previous residencies, a series of educational activities for adults and children will provide context and background for the plays, and U-M faculty and students will work directly with RSC actors, directors and production personnel. Activities will take place throughout the fall and will include interviews, lectures, workshops and behind-the-scenes events. A complete schedule of related residency activities will be available this summer.

"The residency demonstrates excellence and puts it on the horizon for our students," said Professor of English Ralph Williams, one of the organizers of the residencies whose expertise in Shakespeare has involved him in a number of the educational offerings. "It is an incomparable set of plays. This is a residency unparalleled."

In 2001 U-M became the first American university to partner with the RSC. In the first year some 17,000 people from 30 states and five foreign countries participated in the residency that featured 75 educational events, Fischer said. Two years later 20,000 people viewed 16 performances and participated in 80 residency activities.

"This time round we're bringing a very powerful creative team to work with you," RSC Creative Director Michael Boyd said via videotape to people gathered for the residency announcement.

The three plays presented are part of the RSC yearlong Complete Works Festival, which features the entire Shakespeare canon—37 plays, plus the sonnets and long poems—at Stratford-upon-Avon in England. During the festival the RSC will produce 15 plays and bring in other theater companies from around the world in an extensive celebration of Shakespeare's genius.

"Having opportunities to sit down for three weeks and engage with faculty, students, our technical team, artists, directors, and actors—it really puts heart into the touring," said Deborah Shaw, director of the Complete Works Festival. "The residency itself is hugely important."

The Festival of Shakespeare's Classics is presented by UMS with major support from the University. Additional support is provided by the Power Foundation. Tickets for Royal Shakespeare Company 2006: A Festival of Shakespeare's Classics will go on sale in February.