The first season of the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company promises a year of unmissable theatre.
Working in collaboration with artistic associates, director Rob Ashford and designer Christopher Oram, the acclaimed actor-director Kenneth Branagh presents an exceptional series of plays that bring together a remarkable group of actors, led by Rob Brydon, Judi Dench, Lily James and Richard Madden.
The Winter’s Tale
With Judi Dench & Kenneth Branagh
By William Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s timeless tragicomedy of obsession and redemption is reimagined in a new production co-directed by Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh, following their triumphant staging of Macbeth in Manchester and Manhattan.
Judi Dench will play Paulina, Kenneth Branagh will play Leontes
17th October 2015 – 16th January 2016
Branagh Theatre Live: Season trailer
Harlequinade
With Kenneth Branagh
By Terence Rattigan
In this rarely seen comic gem, a classical theatre company attempts to produce The Winter’s Tale and Romeo and Juliet, while the intrigues and dalliances of the company members are accidently revealed with increasingly chaotic and hysterical consequences.
Kenneth Branagh will perform and co-direct with Rob Ashford.
24th October 2015 – 13th January 2016
The Painkiller
With Kenneth Branagh & Rob Brydon
By Francis Veber, adapted by Sean Foley
Two men. Two lonely hotel rooms. An adjoining door. One of them is a killer. One of them wants to die. What could possibly go wrong?
Sean Foley directs his darkly hilarious adaptation of Francis Veber’s classic French farce as Kenneth Branagh and Rob Brydon reprise the roles they played to great acclaim at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre in this comic tour-de-force.
5th March 2016 – 30th April 2016
Romeo and Juliet
With Richard Madden & Lily James
By William Shakespeare
Reuniting the stars of his celebrated film of Cinderella, Kenneth Branagh directs Richard Madden (Game of Thrones) and Lily James (Downton Abbey) who play the leads in Shakespeare’s heartbreaking tale of forbidden love.
12th May 2016 – 13th August 2016
The Entertainer
With Kenneth Branagh
By John Osborne
Set against the backdrop of post-war Britain, John Osborne’s modern classic conjures the seedy glamour of the old music halls for an explosive examination of public masks and private torment.
Rob Ashford directs Kenneth Branagh as the unforgettable Archie Rice.
20th August 2016 – 12th November 2016
