WEST END’S YOUNGEST DIRECTOR WINS SEVEN WEEK CONTRACT AT 460 SEAT LONDON THEATRE
Added: (Thu Feb 07 2002)
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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7th February, 2002
WEST END’S YOUNGEST DIRECTOR WINS SEVEN WEEK CONTRACT AT 460 SEAT LONDON THEATRE
Miles Lattimer-Gregory, Artistic Director of British Touring Shakespeare, announced today that he is to direct Henry V and Romeo and Juliet in repertory at the Shaw Theatre in Spring 2002. The two productions will run on alternate nights for seven weeks at the newly refurbished theatre from April 19 , notching up over sixty performances during the run.
British Touring Shakespeare is the UK’s fastest growing young Shakespeare company, having just returned from a much publicised tour of the Middle East in December. They move to the Shaw after a successful run of Twelfth Night and Hamlet at the Westminster Theatre in January – during which Lattimer-Gregory was the youngest director in the West End at only 24 years old –which Time Out London described as “crackling with energy – a company to keep your eye on”
The company’s rise has been swift since Theatre Review published a full page article on them last year, describing the company as “a new Shakespearean force to be reckoned with!”. And Lattimer-Gregory is not just the youngest director in the West End, but also the youngest specialist Shakespeare director in the UK and founder of British Touring Shakespeare, which has, in the words of Time Out, “taken theatres around the world by storm.”
“We are very excited about our Spring Season at the Shaw, which paves the way toward our international season later in the year,” Lattimer-Gregory said, “and the shows look to be superb. I am also very pleased that we are able to challenge the RSC in London with productions which appeal much more to a younger generation, as well as to experienced theatre goers.”
British Touring Shakespeare became the first Shakespeare company in recent memory to visit Dubai in December last year when they performed to sell out crowds for ten days, including members of the Royal Family. “A Superb Night” wrote the Gulf News – “Gives theatregoers a spectacle unrivalled in intensity and theatrical excitement” raved Time Out Dubai. On their return to the UK the Independent published a full page article on the company – “Fizzing with talent – the company is a hit!” wrote Kevin Jackson.
The company now has an unchallenged monopoly in the field of international UK Shakespeare, planning to represent the UK abroad for over two months of touring this year. They are also the only full repertory Shakespeare company still operating in the UK, with the full cast and director involved in both productions during each run.
“We have received enquiries about our work from all over the world, and we are proud to be the UK’s ambassadors for Shakespeare abroad,” comments Lattimer-Gregory. “Thousands of people come to the UK every year to see Shakespeare performed. But for those who cannot travel, BTS will come to them.”
The company has also been approached by representatives of the Egyptian Government regarding performing at the opening season of the new UNESCO funded 1700 seat Alexandria Arts Complex, which opens in April. They have now been snapped up for a month long tour of India and the Middle East in October/Novermber by CSM International, whose books include artists such as Sting, Enrique Inglesias and Tom Jones.
Released by: Andrew Hobbs
For more information contact: Andrew Hobbs
Telephone: 0207 821 6819
Email: ahobbs@britishtouringshakespeare.co.uk
Website: www.britishtouringshakespeare.co.uk