This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2013/feb/11/rsc-royal-shakespeare-company-newcastle

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
RSC heads back to Newcastle after two-year hiatus RSC heads back to Newcastle after two-year hiatus
(7 months later)
The Royal Shakespeare Company is to reinstate its residency in Newcastle after two years away.The Royal Shakespeare Company is to reinstate its residency in Newcastle after two years away.
Following the announcement of a 6.9% cut to its Arts Council funding in 2011, the RSC cancelled its planned visit to the city – a move described as "a great shame" by the chief executive of Newcastle's Theatre Royal, Philip Bernays. It was the first year since 1977, – when the then artistic director, Trevor Nunn, sought to extend the RSC's reach beyond Stratford and London – that the company hadn't visited the north-east. Last year followed suit.Following the announcement of a 6.9% cut to its Arts Council funding in 2011, the RSC cancelled its planned visit to the city – a move described as "a great shame" by the chief executive of Newcastle's Theatre Royal, Philip Bernays. It was the first year since 1977, – when the then artistic director, Trevor Nunn, sought to extend the RSC's reach beyond Stratford and London – that the company hadn't visited the north-east. Last year followed suit.
However, despite still feeling the effects of the funding cut, the company will return for a three-week run in October, presenting its forthcoming productions of Hamlet, All's Well That Ends Well and As You Like It.However, despite still feeling the effects of the funding cut, the company will return for a three-week run in October, presenting its forthcoming productions of Hamlet, All's Well That Ends Well and As You Like It.
New artistic director Gregory Doran, who is also returning the RSC to its former London home at the Barbican Centre, said: "Our special relationship with the north-east is a source of great pride to the company. The audiences in Newcastle are wonderful and the actors enjoy their time performing in this great cultural city very much."New artistic director Gregory Doran, who is also returning the RSC to its former London home at the Barbican Centre, said: "Our special relationship with the north-east is a source of great pride to the company. The audiences in Newcastle are wonderful and the actors enjoy their time performing in this great cultural city very much."
He pointed to the influence and experience of his deputy, Erica Whyman, who was artistic director at Northern Stage for seven years before joining the RSC in January.He pointed to the influence and experience of his deputy, Erica Whyman, who was artistic director at Northern Stage for seven years before joining the RSC in January.
According to Bernays, the door is open for a wider collaboration across the city's arts centres. While the current season will only play at the Theatre Royal, he suggested that could extend to Northern Stage in future years. "The absolute intention is that in 2014 there will be work on both stages. Even this year there are likely to be associated events that can't be announced because they are yet to be finalised," he said.According to Bernays, the door is open for a wider collaboration across the city's arts centres. While the current season will only play at the Theatre Royal, he suggested that could extend to Northern Stage in future years. "The absolute intention is that in 2014 there will be work on both stages. Even this year there are likely to be associated events that can't be announced because they are yet to be finalised," he said.
The RSC's annual visits will provide a boost the city's arts scene when it hangs in the balance, coming only a few months after the local council announced it intended to cut the entirety of the arts funding budget.The RSC's annual visits will provide a boost the city's arts scene when it hangs in the balance, coming only a few months after the local council announced it intended to cut the entirety of the arts funding budget.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.