2014 Company Profiles

Chris Bianchi

ACTOR

This season: The Dukes in AS YOU LIKE IT, Jellaby in ARCADIA. Previously for SATTF: Edward IV and James Tyrell in RICHARD III. Murellus & Cinna the Poet in JULIUS CAESAR, Agrippa in ANTONY & CLEOPATRA, Lear's Fool in KING LEAR and Gaev in THE CHERRY ORCHARD.

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As You Like It Spring Tour 2014

Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory (SATTF) is delighted to announce its second national tour during spring 2014, generously supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation who have offered touring funding over a three year period.

As You Like It dates:

Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol           13 Feb - 22 Mar (& in repertoire until 2 May)
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough      6- 10 May
Everyman, Cheltenham                            13 - 17 May
Hall for Cornwall, Truro                             20 - 24 May          
Theatre Royal, Winchester                        3 - 7 June
Exeter Northcott Theatre                          10 - 14 June
Salisbury Playhouse                                 17 - 21 June




 
Photos Mark Douet: Dorothea Myer-Bennett as Rosalind, Jack Wharrier as Orlando, Peter Basham as Charles Vic Llewellyn as Touchstone, Paul Currier as Jaques, Daisy May as Celia, Christopher Bianchi as Dukes Frederick & Senior Matthew Thomas as Oliver, Ben Tolley as Silvius, Sophie Whittaker as Phebe. 

As You Like It- Press Reviews

★★★★ The Times : "Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory begin its fifteenth year in business with an enchanting staging of this comedy... I've seen brasher, bigger productions of this play that never came close to the sense of discovery and joy that this offers." (Dominic Maxwell 21.02.14)

★★★★★ Stage Talk Magazine: "Now in its fifteenth year since the company’s formation in 1999, this is an ensemble at the top of its game. Its second UK tour this summer will undoubtedly win it a growing army of supporters. This is a jewel of a performance; I cannot recommend it highly enough." (Simon Bishop 19.02.14)

★★★★ : "This is a highly enjoyable production with a superb central performance and another feather in Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory's cap. The company has gone from strength to strength in recent years." (John Campbell 19.02.14)

★★★★ The Arts Desk : "As ever with Andrew Hilton’s vigorous and intelligent productions, there is much quality acting, and a devotion to delivering the text with maximum clarity." (Mark Kidel 19.02.14)

★★★★ Plays To See: "Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory has once again produced something unique, enriching and magical." (Emily Derbyshire 19.02.14)

★★★ The Guardian : "...Myer-Bennett not only suggests the intoxicating joy of love but also that it can hurt like crazy too." (Lyn Gardner 26.02.14)

: "Hilton and his 15-strong cast realise the pleasure of the play, exploiting the myriad elements that give delight in the theatre - fights, adventure, romance, disguises, high spirits and delightful music." (Jeremy Brien 19.02.14)

Bristol 24-7 : "This was my first experience of Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory, but if As You Like It is an indication of the inclusive quality of all of their productions, it certainly won’t be my last." (Jane Duffus 25.02.14)

The Fine Times Recorder : "audiences at the home theatre, as well as at Scarborough, Cheltenham, Truro, Winchester, Exeter and Salisbury, are in for a treat - we like it a lot!" (GP-W 19.02.14)

: "And there's a lot to like! perceptions and pleasures flow as naturally as the seasons through all this happy production." (Timothy Ramsden 20.02.14)

SATTF will revisit theatres from its highly successful Two Gentlemen of Verona tour in 2013, as well as including first visits to the Salisbury Playhouse and Hall for Cornwall.

“After the great success of our Two Gentlemen of Verona tour in 2013, we look forward to getting on the road again with As You Like It. A comedy-romance with a subtle seriousness at its heart, the play boasts in Rosalind one of the greatest of all female roles, a large clutch of Shakespeare's most memorable characters, and several of his most famous songs (newly set for this production with live instruments). We are delighted to be revisiting Scarborough, Cheltenham, Exeter and Winchester - where we were so warmly received last year - and adding to them our first visits to Salisbury and Truro.”
Andrew Hilton, Director (SATTF)

“We are delighted to be welcoming Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory to the Playhouse. They are rightly acclaimed for their lucid, intelligent work and we are proud to be offering our audience the chance to see one of the most significant theatre companies to have emerged from the South West in recent years.”
Gareth Machin, Artistic Director Salisbury Playhouse

“Hall For Cornwall is delighted to welcome the Bristol’s innovative Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory to Truro.  Having gained a reputation for its high quality Shakespeare productions and fresh approach at Tobacco Factory Theatres, one of the most significant venues in Bristol, the company will tour to Hall For Cornwall for the first time as part of its 15th season celebrations.”
Julien Boast, Director Hall For Cornwall

 

As You Like It Spring Touring 2014 – Booking Information:

13 Feb-22 March (& in repertoire until 2 May)
Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol 
  www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com

6-10 May
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough

www.sjt.uk.com

13-17 May
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

www.everymantheatre.org.uk

20-24 May
Hall for Cornwall
www.hallforcornwall.co.uk

3-7 June
Theatre Royal, Winchester

www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk

10-14 June
Exeter Northcott Theatre

www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

17-21 June
 Salisbury Playhouse

For further information please contact: Morag Massey Producer SATTF -   

Supporters
Grant support is from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and a generous donation from a private patron.

The "Esmée Fairbairn Foundation aims to improve the quality of life for people and communities throughout the UK both now and in the future. They do this by funding the charitable work of organisations with the ideas and ability to achieve positive change. 

The Foundation is one of the largest independent grant-makers in the UK.  They make grants of £30 - £35 million annually towards a wide range of work within the arts, education and learning, the environment and social change. The Foundation also operate a £26 million Finance Fund which invests in organisations that aim to deliver both a financial return and a social benefit.
www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk”