Shakespeare & Company’s critically-acclaimed 2006 production of Hamlet returns to Founders’ Theatre for just 22 performances this summer (through August 28). Founding Artistic Director Tina Packer (Gertrude) rejoins her son Jason Asprey as Hamlet, Nigel Gore as Claudius, Dennis Krausnick as Polonius and seven more new and returning actors in a production called “sharply intelligent, lean and taut…ingenious and thought-provoking…” (The Boston Globe). Check out the photos of the new production! Buy tickets now.
Founding Artistic Director Tina Packer (now on stage as Gertrude in Hamlet) is the subject of a profile that aired today on WBUR (Boston’s NPR station). Andrea Shea speaks with Tina about her roots in England, her intentions for starting Shakespeare & Company and her future plans. Artistic Director Tony Simotes and Company actress Elizabeth Aspenlieder also speak about Tina and her impact.
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Listen to the story above, or check out the story at WBUR.org.
At the time she was obsessed with Shakespeare, but she wanted to approach his texts her own way. This ran against the genteel delivery style most teachers and directors embraced.
“Enunciating, pushing the vowels to the front of the mouth — especially for the women,” Packer says. “It’s all nonsense; Shakespeare’s dirty as hell and full of life and full of vivacity.”
So Packer abandoned her career as an actor in England, raised some money in the U.S., and founded her own company in the Berkshires. She was one of the first women to direct Shakespeare professionally. Packer says it’s a natural fit.
If you’re looking for something to tide you over before the new season begins, have a listen to this Roundtable interview with Artistic Director Tina Packer and Company actor Elizabeth Aspenlieder which aired a few weeks ago.
Tina and Elizabeth discuss the upcoming season titles, returning to Shakespeare & Company’s creative roots and Joe Donahue’s wish to be Tina Packer when he grows up. Listen below or visit WAMC’s website.
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Dear Friends,
You will love what we have in store for 2009/2010. After planning 32 seasons, I can positively say this is the most daring, powerful, impassioned line up that we have ever brought to stage. I turn the Artistic Director reins (or is it a whip?) over to Tony Simotes at the close of 2009, so I am especially keen in making this a thunderous season.
In the face of today’s economic climate, I am especially proud to say that Shakespeare & Company is standing firm and fast on our mission to bring the raw power of Shakespeare’s language and important modern voices to more audiences and keep tickets affordable to everyone.
EDIT: Tickets are now available for purchase online! The Box Office will begin taking phone orders Thursdays and Fridays from 11am-5pm, beginning March 12th. Stay tuned to our website for further Box Office Hours.
(Shakespeare & Company Members may purchase tickets over the phone this week—Thursday & Friday only—by calling 413-637-1199 ext 305).
This will be a season of ‘life laid bare’ and costs kept spare. Our shows will be simple, stripped down and sparingly beautiful, but we are doing more, performing more, playing more than ever before. Shakespeare & Company is not shrinking back. We will play on! I hope you’ll be play on with us. Join us for Shakespeare, and new voices. Music, clowning and spontaneity across our meadow and stages. More dialogue, discovery and delight for all!
Tina Packer
Founding Artistic Director
Our 2009-2010 brochure will be hitting your mailbox within the next several weeks. Make sure your mailing address is up to date by logging into OvationTix and clicking on “My Account”.
Continue reading ‘Play On! The 2009-2010 Season Announced’
