Liverpool’s PurpleCoat are hitting the road next month after they take Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night on tour across the U.K. and Ireland. Supported by Stephen Fry, the R.S.C. and National Theatre, and well into development of their first feature film, this will be PurpleCoat’s first tour.
Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s most bittersweet comedies, memorably performed recently for the re-opening of the Liverpool Everyman. PurpleCoat’s production, set within a heavily influenced 90’s Benidorm-esque seaside resort, aims to discover the play from a whole new direction as it tours cities including Dublin, Birmingham, Stratford and London.
“We’ve been really lucky,” says PurpleCoat’s Artistic Director, Karl Falconer, “to have performed in some amazing spaces across the country, alongside a regular body of work at home in Liverpool. But this is the first time we’ve taken the same show on tour – we’re not really sure what to expect, except a lot of hard work!”
The whistle-stop tour, playing six cities to celebrate 6 years of the company, makes a stop off in Liverpool on Friday 5th September. “We couldn’t not come to Liverpool,” adds Karl. “It’s our home, and we’ve laid on something extra special for the show here. It’s also outdoors in one of Liverpool’s most picturesque parks – it’ll be magical. If it doesn’t rain!”
The venue in question is Calderstones Park, who have in recent years played host to touring productions from Shakespeare’s Globe. PurpleCoat themselves are no strangers to outdoor theatre, having just returned from their second invited visit to perform alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon.
“Only this time,’ says Karl, “We took our new Youth Theatre. The weather was gorgeous and, after a successful home run at the Black-E, it was a hugely proud moment to see these incredible young performers work with the R.S.C.”
The new Youth Theatre have also beaten off stiff competition to be selected for the 2015 NT Connections scheme with the National Theatre.
“We cannot wait to get started on this prestigious scheme,” says Karl. “‘We’ve already found some incredibly talented kids, some of whom are joining our main cast in Twelfth Night, and we’ll be auditioning again soon for this, as well as our Christmas production.”
PurpleCoat’s Twelfth Night will hit Liverpool on 5th September. Tickets are available now at www.thereader.org.uk/calderstones or 0151 724 5000. Adults £10, Concessions £8.