Erica Whyman
@EricaWhyman
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Theatre maker, erstwhile philosopher. Views all my own. Intolerant of selfishness. Tendency to optimism #artisticleadership
Joined July 2009
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Tonight I want very badly to be sat in a theatre bar, having eaten not enough and drunk a little more than planned, talking with passion & disgraceful clarity about how to put it all right & do it all better. Here’s to all of us & to the fight ahead
#loveyourtheatre
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This is completely unacceptable. I am so angry. How is it possible to even to allow this thought to form, in this week of all weeks? I will be writing to Mr Dugdale and his editor.
The Sunday Times is such a grotesquely racist newspaper. Here they call RSC’s Romeo and Juliet “garishly diverse” because...it had some non-white actors in it? 🙄
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I dare anyone who watched
#bbcstrictly
tonight to EVER AGAIN challenge me as to whether the creative arts matter…. The skill, the stamina, the humanity, the truth of it. Telling our stories as though our lives depended on it…Because they do. Thank you for lifting our hearts ♥️
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I’m sorry not to reply to everyone. I am genuinely overwhelmed. Thank you for all your thoughtful solidarity. I want to clear up just two things; I am definitely a woman, & I am currently the artistic leader of the RSC
#strongertogether
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Have been properly excited about this for a very long time. Here we go….
Studio Ghibli's My Neighbour Totoro is being adapted for the stage for the first time by the Royal Shakespeare Company (
@TheRSC
) and Improbable (
@improbable1
), in collaboration with the Japanese animation studio, and will premiere in London later this year
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Just want to salute EVERYONE who is still standing in the arts. Living through a terrible identity crisis in which none of us knew if we’d be back & lots of us weren’t, gritting our teeth, finding new ways, & filling in the flipping form. The world will always need stories…
#npo
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I’m just going to say one little thing. No one I know is doing nothing. We’re fighting. Its going to take all of us. And we probably won’t get everything we want for all of us. But we’re fighting
#lovetheatre
#promisetokeepseekingbetterways
#writetoyourMP
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We must make sure together this goes as far as possible to support the extraordinary workforce of UK theatre. I am cautious about the detail, anxious about the amount, aware we have serious work to do to distribute effectively. But this took graft & for that I’m grateful
#DCMS
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On January 4th 2020 a beautiful company of humans started rehearsals for The Winter’s Tale
@TheRSC
. We stopped a week before getting onstage. Today we start again.... feels like no time & about sixteen years.
#thiswidegapoftime
#countingmyselflucky
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Had this one for 22 years. 14 months ago a group of remarkable humans started work on
#RSCWinter
. Today we film in our beautiful empty theatre. ‘It is required you do awake your faith.... ‘
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Could not be more excited to be working on this with
@Lolitachakra
@tompiperdesign
@Prema_Mehta
We have missed the Swan so much and this beautiful book carried me through lockdown so this is already very close to my heart.
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So I’m doing ok tonight. I have wine, chocolate buttons, even the West Wing if we need it… I’m proud, I’m excited for what’s next, for me and for us. And I’m not done quite yet…… watch this space….
#news
#newchapters
#newseasoncomingnextweek
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So in a couple of hours, give or take, I enter my SIXTH decade on this earth. I find that an implausible storyline.. or maybe just not a very interesting fact... but it does make me think a few things. 1/
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@TheRSC
I find myself so proud tonight of all that we are and all that we are endeavouring to be.
#37Plays
, the most ambitious playwriting invitation ever launched, David Edgar’s furiously timely
#ChristmasCarol
in rehearsal, the
#Mischief
festival reopening The Other Place 1/1
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Last Board meeting today. What a funny old thing. So much to be proud of but so much still to do. Ten years seems long and also no time. Feeling blessed today with opportunity and excellent colleagues. If you have those two in your life, don’t let them pass you by.
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I don’t know what combination of menopause, Covid booster symptoms, life soon-to-be-in-freefall, lunacy of the news, overwhelm of the inbox has brought me here but instead of ‘achieving’ anything I am eating a scotch egg in front of the telly….and it’s helping
#2022
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Heart-tearing day today and for some time to come. My colleagues’ courage and grace are something to behold. Thank you to those of you sending love & strength, it is much appreciated.
Today we are sharing our latest update including news on our Winter 2020 programme, our 2021 schedule and the start today of our formal consultation with staff.
Read the full statement on our website at:
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7/ so although the world has taught me that most people aren’t listening, & that we mostly get worse, not better at being fair, open, brave... I am not done yet. I’m going to try & be 50 with a bit more vulnerability, but I’m still here for the fight. So much to do. Who’s in?
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Look at that beautiful ship in all her red glory tonight. I miss you. We will find a way.....
Tonight our theatre is lit in red in support of the
@LightItInRed
campaign to raise awareness of the situation facing the live events industry.
#LightitinRed
#WeMakeEvents
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Getting nervous now.
#RSCWinter
would have had its press night tonight and I so wanted you all to like it. Love to my beautiful company. Miss you.
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Oh it hurts tonight.
#RSCWinter
would have been on stage for its first preview. We would have been approaching the best breath out a director ever gets.... I will have to hold it a while methinks. But there’s magic in this company & these words.
#itisrequiredyoudoawakeyourfaith
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At last some properly good news. Totally made up for Indhu, and for British Theatre. She’s going to be brilliant.
Wednesday’s GUARDIAN: “Sunak avoids major rebellion over Rwanda deportation bill - for now”
#TomorrowsPapersToday
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Thank you for your support tonight Twitter. To misquote
@MissDumezweni
it’s what we do next that counts.Amplify the work of artists of colour, disabled artists, LGBTQ+ artists, working class artists that you admire.Acknowledge privilege, use it for good. I pledge to keep learning
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Friends. Thank you for love and kindness today. I will be sure to pass on to Greg and to Tony. I am deep in Faith
@Coventry2021
this weekend, which seems an appropriate place to be. Forgive me if I haven’t replied. I am buoyed by your good wishes.
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So this morning the
#RSCRomeoandJuliet
rehearsal room is broadcasting live to schools all over the country. Bit nervous. V excited!
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Overheard in the interval “If I was to read it in a book I wouldn’t understand it but ‘cause it’s onstage I can understand exactly what’s going on”
@TheRSC
#standupforshakesoeare
#RSCRomeo
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Today is press night for
#Hamnet
. Has been a long journey from the darks of 2020 when I discovered this remarkable book to bringing it to the stage in Stratford, and now to the Garrick. In a world of horror I still find solace in its depiction of resilience in the teeth of loss
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So. My last press night
@theRSC
It was beautiful. Thrilling. Proud-making. Replete with memories from the last 11 years. Thank you to everyone who came & supported. Going to bed not knowing if a guillotine will take you out for trying to do your best work will never grow old….
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Got one more huge day to do and then I’m going to stop for a bit. This is a v special (awful) kind of tired isn’t it...feel as though most bits of me have been broken this year but I’ve learnt metaphorical broken bits are no obstacle to keeping going. Here’s to all my compadres
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V sad the excellent, vital, brave & generous Emma Rice won't be staying
@The_Globe
. It seems to me she's been nothing but a force for good
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It is a special kind of alone to know everyone is going home from a dress rehearsal by themselves.... no means of holding one another or even raising a glass together to the sheer bloody endeavour of it. Here’s to all the lockdown makers and their solitary rituals.
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Thing is, when you’ve stuck it out in a r’ship for more than 30 years, & they’ve worn you out, kicked you, disappointed you, made you weep with frustration, but still somehow they make yr heart properly sing cause it’s so hard & so magic you can’t give up can you?
#LoveTheatreDay
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Before anyone gets to mark us out of 5, just need to note how completely extraordinary
#RSCMuseum
has been for me. To spend time in this company has been to see the world more vividly, see myself more truthfully, & be reminded that theatre is the ancient art of compassion.
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Oh and I did see the ‘subordinate’ thing... the resistance to centring communities and profound engagement is usually a fear of being irrelevant.
#keeponkeepingon
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Said farewell to the Clapham RSC rehearsal rooms today. Thanks for an excellent eleven years. So very many memories….
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Dear Cis. Fierce, compassionate & so f**ing clever. Thank you for endorsing my anger. Thank you for your honesty & your rigour. I promise we won’t forget. Rest in peace
It is with the greatest sadness that we share that the legendary Cicely Berry, part of the foundations of the RSC & its voice expert for more than 4 decades, has died. Our thoughts are with her family & friends. Artistic Director Greg Doran pays tribute.
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Thinking of everyone waiting for
#culturalrecoveryfund
news this morning. This next chapter will have some deep challenges and we must stand together to find ways through.
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Solidarity with London theatres joining those of us in Tier 3. And to all the people and their skill & courage.... 2021 will come, & slowly it will probably be better. But what will we have lost? Did it really have to be this risky disappointment rollercoaster? Did we not know?
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I am so so so proud of my friend, the courageous & brilliant
@BallyGill_
for winning the Ian Charleson Award today for
#RSCRomeo
. He is the kindest man & he dug so deep for me & the play & our company. Congratulations to a stunning list of nominated actors. I CANNOT stop smiling
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Well. My last Shakespeare’s birthday done. An amazing weekend, full of love, and pretty wild extremes. With almost enough time celebrating the excellent
#pickle
who turned ten. Ten brilliant, frustrating, creative, instructive years - and that’s just what going to work was like…
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It may have been a busy week but I know I'm the luckiest woman in Warwickshire.
@MissLittlewood
#RSCRomeoandJuliet
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This crazy brilliant ninja was rescued from terrifying illness by
@NHSMillion
six years ago today. Thank you to all of you who cared for her & us. Look what you did.
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Solidarity with everyone applying for a really extraordinary job for a Monday morning deadline whilst nonchalantly looking after a
#pickle
& pretending the job you currently do needs none of your attention…
#superrelaxingsunday
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Starting rehearsals tomorrow. I could not be more excited to be beginning this astonishing play with these amazing humans
#loveisaradicalact
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My last bit of programming going down quite well…. Brava
@elrhode
and all of your team
★★★★★ (Guardian)
★★★★★ (Birmingham Mail)
★★★★★ (Broadway World)
★★★★★ (Birmingham What's On)
★★★★★ (West End Best Friend)
#AMidsummerNightsDream
reviews are in 🤩
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Tonight. At long last 🙏🏻
Tonight's the night🎉
This evening we welcome you back for the first preview of
#TheComedyofErrors
.
Expect tears, laughter and a very special moment of reunion as we join together in our beautiful new Garden Theatre❤️
(Thanks to Warwickshire Drone for this gorgeous photo😍)
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It’s been the kind of tough week that has ended in not only wine AND a creme egg but also rewatching West Wing season 2. It is dated, naive & prob responsible for the collapse of liberalism but the compassion & humour & man the acting... anyway, it’s happened I’m watching again
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So the bullies have probably won. There are so many reasons, & maybe, just maybe, understanding those reasons will open up horizons for real, believed, implementable change. Deep heartache but a tiny thread of hope. That there is another way, & that we must not, will not give up
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Oh my.
#RSCLittlewood
is about to launch. Here's to all the Joans everywhere. We salute you
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This picture captures
#Emilia
in our own small but still angry, not giving up way. Here’s to the fight, owning our anger, & to friendship x
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Ok it’s the sort of night that calls for a
#littlepickle
moment. She, this a.m: Mum why don’t we open a bakery because our jam tarts are really good Me: they are. She: & you do have quite a few white hairs so you might want to stop directing sometime soon. Me..
#itsnothedirecting
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In spite of our amazing news I am attempting to complete decent NPO drafts on the train today & the station cafe lady just gave me an ‘extra’ pain au chocolat….She says you only live once. She’s not wrong. Solidarity with all the ampersanders out there
#npo
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Pleased to be part of this. Really hoping it will make a swift difference
Open letter released by major arts organisations calling for freelancer financial support to be extended in line with job retention scheme
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Thinking of vulnerable friends, relatives & strangers. Going to be a tough time, we’re going to need ingenuity, patience but above all compassion & thoughtfulness for one another. All the best stories say so. Let’s keep trying to find ways to tell them
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It’s happening. Sunday 7pm. Not at all nervous...
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What a privilege to be in Stratford tonight.
#RSCLittlewood
being born,
#RSCRomeo
on fine form and saying farewell to
#RSCMischief
#soproud
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Too weary of making the argument & too heartsore to squander anger on this. But tomorrow, let's get up & make it again
#halfthepopulation
The Thought Police's rush for gender equality on stage risks the death of the great male actor
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#pickle
turned 8 today. The resilience of the children floors me. Here’s to all of them & to everyone parenting in a pandemic.
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Tearing myself away from
#pickle
at 6 am due to parenting mix-up.... manage clean teeth, hair, clothes, even tea. Now en route to season launch with no make-up at all... and I’ve decided it’s a good look
#workingmum
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#winterstale
is on telly tonight. Want just to say a profound thank you to everyone who made it & made it possible. It was rehearsed in the depths of the pandemic with courage & with love. Thank you Shakespeare, on your birthday, for a vision of healing
#nothingbutbonfires
🔥🔥🔥
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The last day. We’ve changed some minds, touched a few hearts, come hard up against prejudice, been surprised when it isn’t there, been inspired by our youngest colleagues, played the most beautiful theatres in the land & learnt to trust wise & magical words written 400 years ago
'Parting is such sweet sorrow'
It's the final day of Romeo and Juliet and the final day of an amazing tour 😢
Here's what our audience have had to say about Romeo and Juliet on tour (hint: they LOVED IT)
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I wrote a little thing because it really matters. If you have time please read the Time To Listen report (link in article) as it’s quite shocking
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With deep respect to everyone who came before,
@PaapaEssiedu
’s Hamlet is absolutely my favourite. So alive and so intelligent, he will break your heart. And a wonderful company. Do not miss it
#biased
#proud
This is your 10 minute reminder - Hamlet starts on
@BBCFour
at 9pm.
If you aren't able to watch it this evening, you can watch at a time to suit you on BBC iPlayer at:
#AlmostLiveFromtheRSC
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I could not be prouder. Well done my friend.
Very proud to share that Bally Gill (
@BallyGill_
) has been nominated for an Ian Charleson Award for his Romeo in 'Romeo and Juliet'
@TheRSC
directed by Erica Whyman.
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Excellent
Exclusive: Daniel Evans (
@danielgwynevans
) and Tamara Harvey (
@tamaracharvey
) have been appointed joint co-artistic directors of the Royal Shakespeare Company (
@TheRSC
)
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It’s been a busy summer but still I’m out of practice. Labels ironed, second wash on, bedtime almost on time, EIGHT page letter from school read (arrived this pm), lunches anxiously selected, wild speculation by
#littlepickle
on likely curriculum. We’re ready.
#school
#workingmum
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Here's to you Joan. Thank you for leading the way...
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6/ I know & have known amazing people, & I have seen bits of the world which have changed me, & my greatest privilege is to have been encouraged to think widely & deeply, & to believe that rational, careful thought can, when it meets proper emotional wisdom, make change possible
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To all the solo parents doing Mother’s Day, I see you. My
#pickle
doing an award-winning job here but still. And love to all of us missing a Mother today.
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On Saturday night I directed a reading of a beautiful play called This Is A Gift by Kolbrun Bjort Sigfusdottir for
#37Plays
. It was the end of a glorious week celebrating talented writers from all over the UK. It’s almost certainly the last time I’ll direct in The Other Place. 1/
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Heartsore. Been long this eh? Love to everyone riding the storm
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#pickle
and I are off to London (my third round trip this week… don’t ask) to see a special night of
@totoro_show
. She has just recounted in epic detail every moment of the film. She has grown up with this secret/project/wild anticipation so it is safe to say we are EXCITED
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A year ago today I went home with Covid hours before all the theatres closed. It was the last week of rehearsals for The Winter’s Tale. Today the same team of remarkable people are teching WT for BBC4 knowing now it won’t play to audiences in Stratford this year. My heart is full
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Big week. This will of course be normal. Excellent colleagues, bursting with ideas and solutions. So many hurdles for anyone making theatre & for those who can’t. Feeling lucky to see so many amazing people leap those hurdles. Sit down quietly somewhere, for a minute, if you can
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How lucky am I. Beautiful, occasionally brutal, gloriously intelligent play about making art. With the most thrilling cast. Here’s to new adventures 🌊 🎶🎼
We’re all set to go! Samuel Barnett is Benjamin Britten and
@VictoriaYeates
is Imogen Holst in my new two hander directed for
@TheRSC
by
@EricaWhyman
. More details by following the link. Runs from Feb 22 to April 6
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Very tough
#NPO
delay. Feeling it on behalf of all anxious colleagues, partners, artists & ACE team too. Speaking as someone with a slab of decision/announcement experience (…) really is one day at a time territory. Before and after we hear. And remember to breathe
#artsmatter
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If you think ‘I wish this were aimed at me because I have something to offer in this moment of change’ then please take a closer look because it is aimed at you and we’d really like to hear from you.....
We’re looking for new Trustees to join us from Jan 2021. We need the most diverse range of voices on our Board if we are to chart a new era with relevance, vision & confidence. If you are interested in sharpening our thinking please get in touch. Read more
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Today; dread of reviews, reviews, meetings, school pickup, football, den building, then to Cov to meet Archbishop of Canterbury onstage.
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5/ and now I’m writing a thread about me... hmm. I’m ashamed before I’ve finished, but I think I wanted to notice what a mad, brilliant, hard, lonely thing life is.
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Amazing - actually wondrous - digital innovation, making new bridges with artists and audiences everywhere. And a team determined to keep changing for the better so that everyone is included in all that we do.
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Thanks for all your supportive & thoughtful messages. I’m through, I’m on the other side & it’s going to be ok.
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Very saddened to hear we have lost Hilary Mantel. A gracious, but ferocious giant. I was very honoured to know her a little because of our collaborations
@theRSC
. Her intellect and her curiosity were astonishing.
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I remain properly proud of this, and if it helps anyone enjoy learning about this amazing, funny, heartbreaking thriller of a play then would be ace. Sending love and gratitude to the most excellent cast & creative team
#loveistherevolution
Our 2018 production of Romeo & Juliet, directed by
@EricaWhyman
, will be on
@BBCTwo
next Tuesday at 2pm. You'll also be able to access it on
@BBCiPlayer
afterwards too🎉
It's perfect for a bit of lockdown learning or just to get your theatre fix:
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This really matters. Evidence. Young people have articulated why arts in school is essential for their future success. Real
#criticalthinking
ONLY required by arts subjects
#timetolisten
Our landmark study with
@Tate
and
@UniofNottingham
proves the huge benefits of taking arts and education seriously.
#Timetolisten
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The chocolate has run out. It may seem trivial but can’t keep going without it. Don’t think the chocolate is getting enough credit for making this lunacy survivable
#lifeswork
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Feeling hugely grateful for the
#Hamnet
company and creative team. Giving it all of their hearts and trust. What a privilege. Week three done. Love this bit.
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Supremely excellent humans. I am very lucky. Also it is simply the
#bestplayever
📢CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT📢
We’re thrilled to announce the cast for The Winter’s Tale, including Joseph Kloska as Leontes, Kemi-Bo Jacobs as Hermione and Andrew French as Polixenes.
Find out more and see the full cast and creative list at:
#WintersTale
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Good morning. Couldn’t be more excited or prouder of these artists. We’ve missed the Swan…..
☀🦢✨
Here’s what summer 2023 at the Swan Theatre and across the RSC looks like 👇
#TheEmpress
#FalklandSound
#MerchantOfVenice1936
#Cowbois
#LiveAtTheRSC
#RSCNextGen
🔗
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Right I’m watching a West Wing. It’s stupid late & I should be working/sleeping/attending to what really will be an astonishingly good memoir but I can’t do any of those things. Love to all of you struggling with events that will not let up....
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I know line of duty and call the midwife are amazing tv... but when did you last go to a press night? And a press night at which you can get in to your pjs and take your interval whenever you fancy? (Take it at the end of Act 3...)
#winterstale
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I had the privilege of talking with around fifty extraordinary theatre makers this last week or so about Shakespeare, courage, solidarity & much more. So much skill and thoughtfulness & care. It has given me real hope & I pledge to let myself &
@TheRSC
be changed by what was said
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I cannot…. I knew it would be brutal but this is hard to comprehend. It didn’t have public funding for the first two decades and, as we said then, it makes a unique contribution…. Sending my love and solidarity to all who sail in her now.
The Gate Theatre has labelled its 100% funding cut "devastating" for a venue that has "amplified otherwise unheard voices" for more than 40 years.
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First preview of
#RSCRomeo
heartstoppingly daunting & exciting in equal measure. We have begun. So proud of my company of generous souls
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Delighted we can tell the world this….
.
@TheRSC
's production of My Neighbour Totoro is to return to the
@BarbicanCentre
for a second run later this year.
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And now this has made me cry. Thank you friends. Raising a glass to you tonight
@The_Globe
Our pals
@TheRSC
have a rather marvellous
#MuchAdoAboutNothing
on the tellybox this evening.
You should watch it.
Partly because our very own Michelle Terry is Beatrice, but also simply because it is W O N D E R F U L.
#AlmostLiveFromTheRSC
@BBCFOUR
9pm.
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