Aquila
is a company of British and American artists dedicated
to developing innovative productions of classical drama,
particularly Greek drama and Shakespeare. Founded in
London in 1991 by Peter Meineck, Aquila is now based
in New York City and is a major part of New York's theatrical
landscape, producing a regular season of plays. Aquila's
season includes Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound,
and two new productions of Shakespeare's Romeo and
Juliet and Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales,
currently on an international tour, both to be seen
in New York in 2008. The Aquila Theatre for Young Audiences
Company will be taking a special educational production
of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing to
New York City area schools in conjunction with the Lincoln
Center Institute in the spring of 2007. Aquila runs
a Shakespeare After School Education Program at the
Frederick Douglass Academy in Harlem, supported by the
Charles Hayden Foundation. Next season Aquila will be
staging Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar,
and a major new production of Joseph Heller’s
Catch 22. Aquila’s acclaimed education
program will also be presented alongside our National
Touring program, developing new audiences for exciting,
excellent and innovative classical drama. Aquila also
partners with major American theaters in the presentation
of its work, and collaborates with notable artists from
other disciplines including dance, music and opera.
Past collaborations include The Invisible Man
with Doug Varone, Medée at Carnegie Hall with
Peter Tiboris conducting the Manhattan Philharmonic,
and Much Ado About Nothing at The La Jolla
Playhouse. “With precision, sensitivity and unity
of ensemble, the Aquila Theatre Company articulates
the human essence inherent in classical drama. Combining
the techniques of British and American theatre and following
a philosophy of theatrical utilitarianism, Aquila believes
that the greatest works should be seen by the greatest
number."
–
Peter Meineck, Artistic Director.
"Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene."
Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare's unmatchable vision of
uncompromising true love, has stood the test of time as one of the
greatest love stories ever told. The compelling events that
unfold out of the ancient rift between two great Italian
families make Shakespeare's story as gripping and dynamic to a
contemporary audience as it was to Londoners 400 years ago.
Set in the vibrant city of Verona, the famous "star-crossed"
lovers follow their passion for each other against all odds
in an ultimately tragic but beautiful story of eternal love.
In Aquila's bold new production of Romeo and Juliet,
each actor in the highly talented British and American company
will learn every part. As Shakespeare's audience was gripped by the
unfolding events of this new play, so we want to imbue this work with a
sense of theatrical danger, apprehension, and the hand of theatrical
fate. Our audiences should be fully engaged and committed, desperate to
follow the play to its well-known end, rediscovering Shakespeare and
sharing in the communal experience of bold, courageous, exciting,
unpredictable theatre. The play of chance, guided by a complicit
audience, will decide each night which of our actors will play which
role, often against type, gender and age. Every performance will
be a freshly minted Romeo and Juliet, creating newfound excitement
and drama. In going back to Shakespeare and his all male company
of players for inspiration, quickly assuming multiple roles in
several productions, we hope to re-invigorate the text and refresh its
many pleasures and surprises.
Aquila's ensemble is dedicated to speaking the poetry with clarity
and finesse with a strong commitment to understand the integrity of
the original text, and believe that many of the answers to
interpretation are contained within Shakespeare's language when
fully explored, understood and acted by a crack ensemble. It is part
of Aquila's philosophy that the greatest design and conceptual lead
should be taken from the text. In this way, Aquila invites
you to lose yourself in a night of Shakespearean entertainment to
delight those maybe experiencing the play for the very first time
and to uncover new treasures for those who love one of the Bard's
greatest works.
http://www.aquilatheatre.com/
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