eNewsletter 
The AMERICAN DRAMA GROUP EUROPE and TNT Britain
present
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Don Pedro, Prince of Arragon, pays a visit to Leonata, the governor of Messina, while returning from a victorious campaign against his rebellious brother, Don John. Accompanying him are two of his officers, Benedick and Claudio. While in Messina, Claudio falls for Leonato's daughter, Hero; Benedick verbally spars with Beatrice, the governor's niece. The budding love between Claudio and Hero prompts Don Pedro to arrange with Leonato for the marriage.
Meanwhile, the trickery begins as Don Pedro (with the help of Leonato and Claudio) attempts to sport with Benedick and Beatrice in an effort to make the two of them fall in love. Likewise, Hero and her waiting woman help to set up Beatrice. Both Benedick and Beatrice will think that the other has professed a great love for them.
The marriage of Claudio to Hero is set to go. Don John—ostensibly reconciled with his brother—despises Claudio, however, and plots against him. First, he tells Claudio that Pedro wants Hero for himself; next, he enlists the aid of his henchman Borachio and one of Hero's gentlewomen disguised as Hero to stage an encounter that will bring Hero's virtue into question. Claudio falls for the ruse and denounces Hero at the altar. Friar Francis helps her, hiding her away and enlisting the aid of Leonata, who announces that his daughter has died of grief from the proceeding.
Fortunately for Hero, Borachio is arrested while drunkenly boasting of his part in the plan (and the 1,000 ducats paid him). With Borachio's confession, Hero is to be exonerated. Leonato demands a public apology from Claudio, then tells him that he will allow Claudio to marry one of his nieces in Hero's place—a niece that turns out to be none other than Hero herself. Claudio and Hero are reunited, Benedick and Beatrice will wed alongside them, and they receive the news that the bastard Don John has been apprehended.
Much ado about nothing is a comedy about love and malice. Director Paul Stebbings presents us with a remarkable theatre production full of comedy, drama and bursting with energy.
The AMERICAN DRAMA GROUP EUROPE and TNT Britain
present
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
Directed and edited by Paul Stebbings. Original music composed by John Kenny.
This is one of Shakespeare’s most famous and popular comedies. The story follows the fortunes of the beastly Petruchio as he attempts to tame the wild beauty of Kate and claim not just her hand in marriage but a slice of her foolish father’s gold. Meanwhile Kate’s young sister is chased by a string of would-be husbands who will resort to any trick, or adopt any disguise, to claim their pretty prize. As ever the Bard (as he is known) explores serious themes through comedy. These include the battle of the sexes, the role of women, the hypocrisy of men and the true value of gold and love. Of course Shakespeare was writing about a very different society from today but he explores universal issues, so that even if we disagree with his position it allows us to examine our own attitude to the role of men and women today.
TNT’s production will also examine the sub-text of the play (without sacrificing the comedy!). For example it is often missed that Petruchio is a soldier. Shakespeare’s Italy was a place of great civilisation but also great violence. Petruchi’s need to dominate the proud Kate is also part of that warlike posture. In a way Petruchio Is the classic military boaster of Commedia dell’ arte, known as Capitano. We know that Italian comedy influenced Shakespeare, so it seems right to use classic Italian Commedia to illuminate our production. This allows us to use masks and stylised movement; it’s also a very funny form! Visually, we aim to capture the look of Renaissance Italy, inspired by paintings of such artists as Piero della Francesca and Boticelli. As in Shakespeare’s own day, live music will accompany the production, written by noted Scottish composer John Kenny. A five part sung score will be complemented by harpsichord, clarinet and percussion.
TNT and the American Drama Group Europe have been touring Shakespeare’s major works to a worldwide audience for over six years, all directed by Paul Stebbings. Previous productions include: MACBETH, HAMLET, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, ROMEO & JULIET and KING LEAR. The productions have been seen from London to Atlanta, Shanghai to Berlin and Teheran to Tokyo. In addition to worldwide performances in major theatres, the productions tour each year to the courtyards of palaces and castles throughout Europe and Scandinavia.
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW will complement the company’s extensive Shakespearian repertoire with a sparkling musical comedy that illuminates dramatic literature’s greatest battle of the sexes.
“TNT – touring theatre at its best.” South China Morning Post (Hong Kong)
“The finest HAMLET I have seen in nearly thirty years of international theatre criticism”.
International Theatre Institute Magazine (Iran)
“One of the most interesting developments on the current theatrical scene”
The Guardian, (London).
The AMERICAN DRAMA GROUP EUROPE and TNT Britain
present
MACBETH
by William Shakespeare
directed by Paul Stebbings
Choreography Eric Tessier Lavigne, Composer Paul Flush
TNT is reviving its highly acclaimed version of Shakespeare's darkest and most exciting tragedy. The production has toured to over twenty countries on three continents, in venues as diverse as a ruined plantation house in Atlanta to Windsor Castle, from major theatres in Tokyo and Berlin to palaces in Verona and Stockholm. Over two thousand people attended performances in Kuwait. This year´s MACBETH will tour in 3 different European countries and will continue in 3 Asian countries in 2011.
This is a full blooded production that is not afraid to unleash the power of Shakespeare's dark masterpiece. The witches are identified as the source of the dramatic energy of the play. They are shamans, wild forest spirits and they are neither man nor woman. They inhabit the entire world of the play. Macbeth himself is a warrior, not a thinker, a man of courage whose bravery is corrupted by unthinking ambition. His wife is also a type of witch, this is a Lady Macbeth who calls down the spirits to „unsex her here“ but is possessed and destroyed the demons she thought to command. In contrast the porter scene is a comic and acrobatic dance that is (unusually) genuinely funny. Not only striking visual imagery, but also music theatre with a fully composed and integrated score by Paul Flush that mixes electronic and human sound are part of this production.
MACBETH was director Paul Stebbings` first major Shakespeare production. Its success generated a cycle of productions by TNT of England`s greatest playwright that have met with international acclaim and several awards. From Tehran to Shanghai and Oxford to Oslo TNT's vibrant and dynamic approach to Shakespeare has generated enthusiasm from audiences and critics alike.
