The Shakespeare Project - a new professional theatre company for the South East. Founded in 2019 by Actor / Manager Peter Basham & Executive Producer Laurence Taylor. Using an ensemble approach and experienced classical actors, we bring theatre to life -with superb storytelling being at the very heart of what we do.
We are based at the beautiful Salomons Estate in Royal Tunbridge Wells, making use of their unique Victorian Theatre space.
We are bursting to tell you all the plans for 2020 & 2021 - but, we are not quite ready to announce them just yet. Watch this space and sign up for the mailing list if you would like to be kept up to date with our productions.
Past Productions
"The play's the thing..."
Our inaugural production was Macbeth in November 2019, Directed by Joseph Pitcher (RSC Associate Director). This production was performed in the intimate Victorian theatre inside Salomons Estate and we had Olivier Award-winning designer Mike Robertson as Lighting Designer.
Macbeth is arguably one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays with themes of the supernatural, fate, and the corrosive nature of ambition. Based on true events (yes, really!), we follow the descent of Macbeth from war hero to murderous tyrant. It was a hugely ambitious project and we had fantastic audience feedback - with nearly 900 local school children getting discounted tickets thanks to our Arts Council Funding.
MACBETH CAST
Macbeth 2019
Peter Basham
Macbeth
Peter has performed with the RSC, Bristol Old Vic, Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory, Nottingham Playhouse and Duke of York's London among others. He has appeared in high profile screen roles such as The Promise, Sherlock, Agatha Raisin, Berlin Station, Eastenders, Skyfall and Inception.
Aamira Challenger
Angus/Ensemble
Aamira studied at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama and previously in New York. Credits include Ostalgie (National Theatre Studio workshop), The Frightened Girl (Bill Kenwright Ltd), Juliet in Romeo & Juliet (Wales Millenium Centre) and voiceover for the Monteverdi Choir.
Tom Chapman
Ross/Ensemble
Theatre includes: Twelfth Night (Chichester Festival Theatre), Midsummer Night's Dream (Orange Tree Theatre), Oedipus in Oedipus (Matchstick Theatre), Hamlet in Hamlet (Flute Theatre), Orsino/Antonio in Twelfth Night (Flute Theatre), Pip in Great Expectations (Attic Theatre Co.), and The Tempest (Shakespeare's Globe).
Vangelis Christodoulou
Banquo
Theatre includes: Christian Lauterbach in Terror, Bassanio in The Merchant of Venice, Brutus in Julius Caesar. TV & film includes: Casualty, Da Vinci's Demons, The Ellington Kid and Papadopoulos & Sons. Voiceover includes: The Durrells (ITV), various movies and video games such as Assassin's Creed, Origins and Odyssey!
Louise Jameson
Queen Duncan
Award-winning actress, director and writer Louise Jameson is well-known for her roles in Doctor Who, Tenko, Bergerac, Eastenders, Toast and Doc Martin among others. With a stage career that spans seasons with the RSC and the National, recently she received nominations for best actress for her performance of West End show Vincent River.
Ffion Jolly
Lady Macbeth
Ffion's Shakespeare credits include King Lear, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Richard II, Comedy of Errors, The Tempest, and Othello among many other stage appearances. On screen she has appeared in Doc Martin, Unspeakable, McMafia, Stan Lee's Lucky Man and Mission Impossible: Fallout.
Aaron Sidwell
Macduff
Aaron is well known for his role as Steven Beale in Eastenders. His theatre credits include Wicked, Green Day's American Idiot, Grey Gardens, Loserville The Musical and Cool Rider Live. He most recently took the title role of Henry V for The Barn Theatre, Cirencester.
Adam Sopp
Malcom/Porter
Theatre includes: Henry V (Barn Theatre, Cirencester); The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips (Kneehigh/Shakespeare’s Globe); Sunny Afternoon (Hampstead Theatre/West End); All Quiet on the Western Front (Nottingham Playhouse/UK Tour); Les Miserables (West End) and Oliver! (West End). TV includes The Capture, Call The Midwife & Casualty. Adam is also an accomplished musician playing for various bands including Attawalpa!
Sarah Waddell
Lennox/ensemble
Stage credits include Queen of France, Henry V (Barn Theatre); Wizard of Oz (Brewhouse Theatre); Hand to God (English Theatre Frankfurt); Into The Woods (All Star Productions); Cause Célèbre (The Old Vic Theatre); The Full Monty (Charing Cross Theatre); Girls Night (UK Tour); A Class Act (Landor Theatre). Screen credits include Doctors; Being; Prevenge; Esther’s Funeral; Deadpan Valentine.
Anna Cutler-Methvan
Donalbain, Fleance, Macduff's Son
Anna has received training from the JPA academy. She is currently preparing for drama school auditions later this year.
Anna has played multiple featured roles in productions at the JPA Academy, including Roxy (Chicago), Frenchie (Grease) and Karen (Mean Girls). Her on-screen work include appearances in short films, music videos and TV commercials.
Anna is excited to be appearing in Macbeth; her first professional Shakespeare.
Supporters
The Shakespeare Project would not exist without the kind support of the following supporters
Kickstarter Backers
Our first supporters
Without our Kickstarter backers and our first round of fundraising we simply would not exist. Thanks to all those above and to those that donated anonymously - we really could not have done it without you.
Arts Council England
Small Projects Grant
Supported our production of 'Macbeth' enabling us to offer reduced school tickets.
Jerwood Space
Subsidised rehearsal rooms
Supported 'Macbeth' through subsidised rehearsal space in London.
Berry & Lamberts Solicitors
Corporate Sponsor
Sponsor for MACBETH 2019
Deeks Evans
Corporate Sponsor
Sponsor for MACBETH 2019
Minuteman Press - Tunbridge Wells
Corporate Sponsor
Sponsor for MACBETH 2019
T.Wells Community Chiropractic
Corporate Sponsor
Sponsor for MACBETH 2019
The Health Coach
In Kind Sponsorship
Sponsor for MACBETH 2019
Get Involved
Vision for the future
"We are such stuff
As dreams are made on..."
The Shakespeare Project is exactly that, it’s a project. This means that since its inception it has been continually evolving and expanding. We have a very exciting vision for the future and hope to build a long term legacy of quality theatre for the local area and beyond. We have several projects in development for 2020 and for 2021. We are always open to new and interesting projects so do get in touch.
Inspiring the next generation
"There is a tide in the affairs of men.
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune."
All of us at The Shakespeare Project are passionate about the works of Shakespeare and their relevance today. We believe that it is culturally important that Shakespeare remains on the syllabus in schools and are pleased to partner with education providers Access Shakespeare who provide in-school workshops to accompany our productions.
Join us
"If this were play'd upon a stage now, I could condemn it as an improbable fiction"
We are in the process of building the team so if you would like to help us realise our vision we would love to hear from you. We are particularly looking for volunteers to help with front of house, Ushers and marketing. Say hi on FaceBook!
Supporting us
'"I will not lend thee a penny.'
'Why then the world's mine oyster,
Which I with sword will open.'"
The Shakespeare Project is reliant on Box Office sales. One of the best ways that you can support our work is to buy your tickets early for our productions.
We are committed to being open and accessible to everyone. We realise some people may find that there are barriers to accessing our performances. If you experience or expect any barrier, or need more information, please contact us via the CONTACT US button above.
