For all Shakespeare Lovers - The Lantern Theatre has a real treat in store for you in September and October!

The Lantern Theatre has two spectacular shows this season, one concentrating on the Bard himself and also one of his best loved comedies.

Shakespeare Unbound - A Gift to the Future
13th - 18th September 7:30pm
Part of the Professional Season
A really excellent play revealing a much more personal aspect of the Bard himself as told by his best friend - John Heminges. This is a professional production by Colin David Reese and the show has won much critical acclaim both nationally and internationally.

Much Ado About Nothing
14th-23rd October 7:30pm
Shakespeare's much loved comedy revolves around two pairs of lovers, Beatrice and Benedick and Claudio and Hero. The main plot of the play revolves around obstacles to the union of the two young lovers - Claudio and Hero. The love-hate relationship of Beatrice and Benedick features the "merry war" of the sexes. Benedick thinks he hates Beatrice but really loves her and Beatrice who thinks she hates Benedick but really loves him...

For more information and to book tickets online or by telephone please visit the theatre's website The Lantern Theatre (http://www.lanterntheatre.org.uk)

Don't forget - groups of 8 or more can get a discount of 10% for Shakespeare Unbound - A Gift to the Future!

Please ring 0793 197 5149 if you wish to make a booking and claim the discount!

Special Offer Now Available - Buy One Get One Free!

This offer is available online (http://www.lanterntheatre.org.uk) and through the Box Office on 0793 197 5149

Sheffield Star Reviews Gift to the Future

SHEFFIELD STAR REVIEW
Shakespeare Unbound - Gift to the Future
The Lantern Theatre

Published Date: 15 September 2010
By Stephen Grigg

SEVEN years after Shakespeare's death, his great friend, John Heminges, produced a compendium of his plays.
Colin David Reese is the author and star of this one-man play. He has 55 years treading the boards. His charisma and avuncular manner keeps the audience captivated as he reminisces about his life and friendship with "Young Will".

There is a nice touch as he yearns to see the impact of his efforts on the ghosts of the future. The house lights briefly appear and the audience become players as he amicably interacts with them.

Heminges tells many charming anecdotes, such as when his acting troupe, Chamberlains Men, stole a landlord's building, piece by piece and reconstructed it elsewhere as a theatre.

This contrasts with the tragedy of the Globe Theatre burning down in 1613.

There is also pathos as Heminges relates the death of Shakespeare's son at the age of eleven. A sonnet about grief captivates the heartache perfectly.

He also brings to life many of Shakespeare's famous characters. Notable quotes included, "All the world's a stage" from As you Like It; "Now is the winter of our discontent" from Richard III; "To thine own self be true" from Hamlet.

In a poignant moment, Heminges paraphrases Hamlet a second time in anticipating his own imminent death. "Soon I will shuffle off this mortal coil"

As Reese admits, this account is fiction, as are all biographies of Shakespeare, but it is plausible, well acted and thoroughly entertaining.

Weblink to the review: http://www.thestar.co.uk/theatre/REVIEW--Gift-to-the.6532400.jp