'This hand shall never more come near thee with such friendship.'

— Act III, Scene 6

Inspired by the play’s Morris language and references, The Two Noble Kinsmen is set in pastoral ‘Merrie England’ and brought to life with original music composed by acclaimed folk musician Eliza Carthy, dance choreographed by Ewan Wardrop and directed by Barrie Rutter, recipient of the 2003 Sam Wanamaker Award, and former Artistic Director of Northern Broadsides.

Synopsis

How long is forever? When the imprisoned Palamon and Arcite vow eternal friendship, they don’t expect that anything will come between them. But then from their cell window they see the beautiful Emilia, and their priorities take a sudden and violent turn. In this late romance, Fletcher and Shakespeare examine love in all its fluid and complex forms.

Cast

Hippolyta:
Moyo Akandé

Theseus:
Jude Akuwudike

Jailer:
Andy Cryer

First Queen:
Sue Devaney

Arcite:
Bryan Dick

Pirithous:
Matt Henry

Second Queen:
Melissa James

Jailer’s Daughter:
Francesca Mills

Third Queen:
Kat Rose-Martin

Palamon:
Paul Stocker

Emilia:
Ellora Torchia

Wooer:
Jon Trenchard

Schoolmaster:
Jos Vantyler

Creatives

Composer:
Eliza Carthy

Voice:
Sarah Case

Writer:
John Fletcher and William Shakespeare

Assistant Director:
Chloe France

Costume Supervisor:
Anna Josephs

Fight Director:
Kevin McCurdy

Director:
Barrie Rutter

Choreographer:
Ewan Wardrop

Designer:
Jessica Worrall