Theatre Royal Nottingham
Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 June
11am (James I: The Key Will Keep The Lock), 3pm (James II: Day of the Innocents), and 7.30pm (James III: The True Mirror)
Three plays about James I, II and III of Scotland by Rona Munro, directed by Laurie Sansom
Design by Jon Bausor, Lighting Design by Philip Gladwell; Sound Design by Christopher Shutt (James I and II) and Nick Sagar (James III); Movement Director Neil Bettles; Music Composed by Paul Leonard Morgan (James I and II) and Will Gregory (James III).
Ensemble cast: Rosemary Boyle, Daniel Cahill, Ali Craig, Malin Crépin, Blythe Duff, Nick Elliott, Peter Forbes, Andrew Fraser, Dani Heron, Brian James, Sian Mannifield, David Mara, Steven Miller, Calum Morrison, Matthew Pidgeon, Sally Reid, Andrew Rothney, John Stahl, Andrew Still and Fiona Wood
The three kings are played by Steven Miller (James I), Andrew Rothney (James II) and Matthew Pidgeon (James III).
Visiting the Theatre Royal Nottingham on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 June as part of a UK and International tour
Following critical acclaim and box office success in 2014, The James Plays by Rona Munro, and directed by Laurie Sansom undertake a major UK and international tour in 2016, visiting 11 venues across England and Scotland, as well as performing at international festivals in Australia and New Zealand. The 2014 productions originally co-produced with the Edinburgh International Festival and the National Theatre of Great Britain, opened at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh during the Edinburgh International Festival on 10 August, and then subsequently played at the Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, London, selling out both runs and playing to over 88,000 people. The plays went on to win the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best New Play and the Writers Guild Award for Best New Play (James I)
Described by The Telegraph as “better than Shakespeare” and ‘Rona Munro’s thrilling trilogy could be the finest history plays ever penned ’ The James Plays, exhilarating and vividly imagined, bring to life three generations of Stewart kings who ruled Scotland from 1406 to 1488.
Each play stands alone as a unique vision of a country tussling with its past and future, with its own distinct theatrical atmosphere. Viewed together they create a complex and compelling narrative on Scottish culture and nationhood.
The James Plays are historical drama for a contemporary audience, served up with a refreshing modern directness. Audiences are invited to view the performances from the actual stage and share the performer’s perspective of the space. These on-stage seats, built into the set, are at heart of the action, as an ensemble of actors takes the audience through a rarely-explored period of history with playful wit and boisterous theatricality.
Audiences responded enthusiastically to the opportunity of viewing the plays as a complete trilogy, seen over the course of a day. This 2016 production will pioneer a new bespoke touring pattern, with English venues offering audiences the chance to see all three plays together, on a Saturday or Sunday. The Scottish venues performance schedules vary with individual James Plays performances as well as a triple bill of plays on offer.
Theatre Royal Nottingham
Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 June 2016 11am (James I), 3pm (James II), 7.30pm (James III)
Tickets £75-£39 three plays package, £27-£15 individual plays
Box Office 0115 989 5555
