British cruise line Cunard is bringing Shakespeare and newer world class theatre to its transatlantic stage in 2022, following a first-of-its-kind partnership for the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).
Available exclusively on board Queen Mary 2, guests will enjoy bespoke theatrical performances by the RSC from Shakespeare, his contemporaries and other literary legends. The performances will be available for all guests on board, including a unique blend of Shakespeare’s iconic love scenes in a brand-new piece called Boundless as the Sea, created by Owen Horsley.
Guests will also be able to access ‘Shakespeare Tales’, informal events where the actors will perform their personal favourite sonnets and speeches, and answer questions from the audience. Guests will also have the chance to see popular new work from the RSC with Miss Littlewood: a musical by Sam Kenyon exploring the life of one of theatre’s most playful and radical figures, making its transatlantic debut.
Vice President, Brand and Product at Cunard, Lee Powell, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome the Royal Shakespeare Company on board our flagship, Queen Mary 2. To be able to offer our guests access to unique performances by world leaders in both contemporary theatre and Shakespeare’s finest work, is an extraordinary opportunity which I know our guests will fully immerse themselves in.’
Erica Whyman, RSC Acting Artistic Director, said: ‘We are thrilled to be working with Cunard to bring our performances to the guests of Queen Mary 2 together with unique opportunities to get close to working theatre artists and learn more about our house playwright. The RSC ignites imaginations and expands horizons, and Shakespeare’s plays allow us to imagine new and remarkable worlds, so this partnership has a perfect synergy.’
In addition, Queen Mary 2 will host a touring exhibition, ‘Digital Diorama: An Augmented Journey Through Shakespeare’s Stratford’. RSC’s most popular productions in recent years including Hamlet, Henry V, The Merry Wives of Windsor and As You Like it will also be screened in Cunard’s on board cinema, Illuminations. Guests can use devices to experience the scenes from his plays.
The 3-year partnership will begin on May 29 until August 12, 2022 and then again from September 15 to November 13, 2022 exclusively to Cunard guests on Queen Mary 2 throughout these two periods. Guests will experience either Boundless as the Sea or Miss Littlewood on each featured voyage.
