The power of Shakespeare heads to the high seas this summer as Cunard joins forces with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in a new partnership that brings world-class theatre to their transatlantic stage.
From May 2022 and exclusively on board Queen Mary 2, guests will be able to savour theatrical performances by the RSC, which creates captivating theatre by Shakespeare and his contemporaries; a series of acting workshops lead by the RSC cast; and an evening of ‘Shakespeare Tales’, for a more relaxed, intimate take on some of Shakespeare’s most famous works.
The 3-year partnership between Cunard and the Royal Shakespeare Company will begin on the 29th May, initially running through to the 12th August 2022 and then again from 15th September to 13th November 2022. This bespoke programme will be available exclusively to Cunard guests travelling on Queen Mary 2 throughout these two periods. If you’re lucky enough to be onboard one of these voyages you will have the chance to experience either Boundless as the Sea or Miss Littlewood on each featured voyage. In addition, some of the RSC’s most popular productions in recent years will be brought to life through screenings in the cinema as well as on stateroom TVs.
Those looking for a more intimate experience or those simply interested in learning what it takes to be an RSC actor, the on board cast will be leading a series of workshops that explore their craft. You will also be able to enjoy ‘Shakespeare Tales’, smaller, informal events where the actors will perform their personal favourite sonnets and speeches, and answer questions from the audience as to what it is about these pieces that particularly speak to them.
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 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.
Lee Powell, Vice President, Brand and Product at Cunard
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. Boundless as the Sea, which is what Juliet calls her love for Romeo, will be a heart-warming taster of all the ways Shakespeare explores love and romance, and we are also very pleased to be presenting a version of the joyous, quirky and toe-tapping Miss Littlewood. This is an exciting new venture for us, and we look forward very much to meeting new audiences on board.
Erica Whyman, RSC Acting Artistic Director
