‘This hand shall never more come near thee with such friendship’

How long is forever? When the imprisoned Palamon and Arcite vow eternal friendship, they don’t expect that anything will come between them. But then from their cell window they see beautiful Emilia, and their priorities take a sudden and violent turn. In this late romance, Fletcher and Shakespeare examine love in all its fluid and complex forms.

Barrie Rutter, recipient of the 2003 Sam Wanamaker Award, directs his first play since stepping down as Artistic Director of Northern Broadsides.

Inspired by the play’s Morris language and references, Two Noble Kinsmen is set in pastoral ‘Merrie England’ and brought to life with original music composed by acclaimed folk musician Eliza Carthy, and dance choreographed by Ewan Wardrop.

“This lesser-known Shakespeare is served with the perfect blend of silliness and tenderness” – The Independent ★★★★

“Barrie Rutter’s production serves up the drama’s erratic plot with glowing charm and makes vivid and affecting sense of the sexual politics” – The Times ★★★★

“… the production is both light-hearted and light on its feet, with choreographer Ewan Wardrop’s work particularly standing out.” – The Guardian

“It’s a little gem of a production, one that contains genuine charm of storytelling…” – The Stage

Cast:
- Hippolyta: Moyo Akandè
- Theseus Jude Akuwudike
- Jailer Andy Cryer
- First Queen / Doctor Sue Devaney
- Arcite Bryan Dick
- Pirithous Matt Henry
- Second Queen Melissa James
- Jailer’s Daughter Francesca Mills
- Third Queen Kat Rose-Martin
- Palamon Paul Stocker
- Emilia Ellora Torchia
- Wooer Jon Trenchard
- Schoolmaster Jos Vantyler

Directed for the stage by Barrie Rutter
Directed for the screen by Ian Russell
Choreographer: Ewan Wardrop
Composer: Eliza Carthy

Duration: approx. 126 minutes
Audio: Stereo
Subtitles: EN