Pop-Up Globe announces it's hitting the road

It’s sold over half-a-million tickets, performed over 1000 shows, and wowed audiences across Australasia with its performances. Now, for the first time ever, the magic of Shakespeare performed in a style for which the Pop-up Globe Theatre Company has become famous is coming to a theatre near you!

The multi-award-winning Auckland-based company today announces it is taking its extraordinary critically-acclaimed productions of the most famous play ever written Hamlet, and wild comedy Measure for Measure, to seven New Zealand cities this year.

Through the genius of its trademark set design, audiences in Dunedin, Nelson, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Hamilton and New Plymouth will be transported to the 17th century, treated to a playful and fun style of theatre they’re unlikely to have experienced before.

Don’t just take our word for it. Come see for yourself what over 500,000 people are raving about.

Tickets on sale 11 April | Waitlist today to access the best tickets www.popupglobe.co.nz

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Dunedin | Starts 25 June | Regent Theatre | TicketDirect
Nelson | Starts 3 July | Theatre Royal | TicketDirect
Christchurch | Starts 12 July | Isaac Theatre Royal | Ticketek
Wellington | Starts 31 July | The Opera House | Ticketmaster
Napier | Starts 20 August | Municipal Theatre | Ticketek
Hamilton | Starts 27 August | Clarence St Theatre | Ticketek
New Plymouth | Starts 4 September | TSB Showplace | Ticketek

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Hamlet audiences will feel the Prince of Denmark’s pain, and perhaps be splashed with his blood, as this swashbuckling tragedy swings into action culminating in a breathtaking duel, while those attending Measure for Measure can expect a wild romp through the seedy streets of 17th century Vienna for a night of Moulin Rouge, Shakespeare-style.

The shows feature a specially designed touring set that recreates the incredible scenic design of Pop-up Globe Auckland, the beautiful bespoke Jacobean costumes that have become a hallmark of Pop-up Globe performances, and the extraordinary lively performances of Shakespeare's masterworks that have won the company awards across Australasia, including eight theatre awards in Sydney last year.

Pop-up Globe’s founder and artistic director Dr Miles Gregory says the tour is in response to the huge number of requests the company has received from throughout New Zealand.

"Now, for the first time, we've created a touring set and shows that bring all the magic of Pop-up Globe performances - the blood, the incredible audience connection, the dances and song, and above all the remarkable art of Shakespeare done well - to existing theatres, meaning that we can share the extraordinary experience of Pop-up Globe with people all over New Zealand. We can't wait to pop up in your local theatre and show you why the Pop-up Globe theatre experience is so popular."

Audiences and critics on both sides of the Tasman have raved about Pop-up Globe with the New Zealand Herald stating Pop-up Globe is “world-class” and Broadway World NZ describing their production of Hamlet as a “theatrical triumph.”

The Melbourne Age described their 2017/18 Melbourne Season as “the best night of theatre ever”, selling 146,000 tickets in a season that lasted over 17 weeks in Australia's arts capital. The company's shorter Sydney season was close to sold out, with some 105,000 Sydney-siders attending in their droves, eager to discover the Pop-up Globe experience for themselves with Australian Stage calling it “a remarkable achievement in out-of-the-box theatre making”.

Dr Gregory is confident the touring model will allow audiences to share in the magic that audiences of Pop-up Globe theatre itself have been raving about.

"There are many important elements to the Pop-up Globe experience - and the theatre surroundings are just one of them," Dr Gregory explains. "What's most important is the performance on stage and our actors' relationship to the audience. Pop-up Globe shows are fast-paced, beautifully costumed, funny, and make a very strong connection with our audiences. We have designed an extraordinary set that recreates the atmosphere of our Auckland home theatre, including seating for some lucky audience members on stage, in the heart of the action."

The two touring productions, Hamlet and Measure for Measure, transfer from the company's Auckland season, where they've won critical acclaim and played to sell-out houses.

ABOUT THE SHOWS

Hamlet
Devastated after the death of his father, the melancholy Prince of Denmark finds himself propelled from grief into action when a supernatural visitation suggests that his new step-father may have been responsible for his father’s murder. Sworn to revenge but unable to trust his mother, his girlfriend or his closest friends, can Hamlet outwit and expose the villainous King without it costing him his soul?

The most towering achievement in the dramatic canon, Hamlet combines all the swashbuckling action of a revenge tragedy with profound and poetic questions about the nature of life and death. Pop-up Globe’s Nottingham’s Company present Shakespeare’s most iconic character in his most famous play.

Measure for Measure
Join our all-singing, all-dancing cast as we take a wild romp through the seedy streets of 17th century Vienna, meeting larger-than-life characters who will charm you even as they pick your pocket. In a city of brothels, louche lads-about-town and illegitimate children, the mayor and a young nun meet in private. She wants to save her brother’s life. He is happy to help – but at what price? Enjoy a wild and hilarious night out, directed by Pop-up Globe’s Artistic Director Miles Gregory.

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