Interview: Maddy Hill

Maddy Hill is currently starring as Titania and Quince in Simon Evans’ production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Southwark Playhouse.

This ninety minute version of Shakespeare’s play is performed by a cast of seven. It is described as “farce meets Shakespeare in the most exciting way”. The show is currently in previews ahead of press night on 6th June.

After A Midsummer Night’s Dream completes its run on 1st July 2016, Maddy will star as the title role in Matthew Dunster’s Imogen at Shakespeare’s Globe.

Maddy recently completed a two year run playing Nancy Carter in BBC1’s EastEnders. For her performance, in 2015 Maddy won Best Newcomer at the National Television Awards. On stage she previously appeared in As You Like It (Custom Practice/Lion & Unicorn) whilst her screen credits include U Want Me 2 Kill Him? and Hannah Wilson in Father Brown.

I recently spoke to Maddy about why she hopes audiences will relate to this production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, how she feels about taking on the title role in Matthew Dunster’s Imogen and what it’s like to leave the EastEnders bubble… 

I love that this production is described as an “irreverent, mischievous and wildly creative” interpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream! What did you think when you first heard about it?

For me I loved that Titania and Quince are so brilliant opposing… I wouldn’t have expected to play either of those parts ever – let alone now at this stage in my career. That was incredibly exciting. Taking such a well-known play and turning it on its head by trying to perform it with seven actors is the best thing you can possibly do with a play that everybody in the audience is going to know so well. There’s no doubt that they will never have seen anything like this before! 

Emma Rice takes over as artistic director of Shakespeare's Globe

Emma Rice will succeed Dominic Dromgoole as artistic director of Shakespeare's Globe.

Rice is currently artistic director of Cornwall's Kneehigh theatre company. Dromgoole steps down in April 2016.

Rice said: "I am delighted and honoured to be taking over the artistic direction of Shakespeare's Globe. Open to the elements, and to its audience, this unique and important space demands theatre that brims with passion, joy and humanity."

Editor's Blog: Theatre firsts, Top Hat & super musicals

Last Sunday I went to Shakespeare's Globe for the first time, something I have been meaning to do for some time! Although I had heard a lot about The Globe, I was a little unsure what to expect. The entrance and box office area is very modern and spacious, a complete contrast to the stunning historic theatre.

The staff could not have been more friendly and helpful. While many people stand to watch the performance, I was sat in the middle balcony. The benches are fairly uncomfortable so hiring a cushion is advisable! Any theatre lover must see a production at The Globe, I have never experienced anything like it.  Click here to read my review of Macbeth (which was breathtakingly brilliant). 

On Tuesday evening I went to the London Coliseum, also for the first time. The Coliseum is beautiful and I couldn't believe I hadn't been there before. Unfortunately the show (Los Vivancos, seven flamenco dancing brothers) became extremely dull and repetitive, if it wasn't for the amazing theatre the evening would have been a disaster. You can read my review of Los Vivancos by clicking here.

Review: Macbeth at Shakespeare's Globe

Macbeth
Shakespeare's Globe
Reviewed on Sunday 7th July 2013

There has been no shortage of high profile Macbeth productions this year. Back in February I attended press night of Jamie Lloyd's futuristic production of Macbeth which opened his Trafalgar Transformed season at Trafalgar Studios and Kenneth Branagh is currently co-directing and starring in a production at the Manchester International Festival. However, no production could be as atmospheric and as special as Macbeth at Shakespeare's Globe theatre.

Stephen Fry to make Broadway debut

It has been announced that Stephen Fry will make his Broadway debut later this year when the Globe's all-male productions of Twelfth Night and Richard III transfer to Broadway.

The Tony Award winning Mark Rylance will reprise his role of Olivia in Twelfth Night and as the title role in Richard III. The productions, which ran in the West End earlier this year, will open 10th November 2013 (previews from 15th October) at the Belasco Theatre.

Stephen Fry plays Malvolio in Twelfth Night, the role marked his return to acting (since he walked out of a production of Simon Gray's Cell Mates in 1995). The productions will play a limited 16-week run, marking the Broadway debut of Shakespeare's Globe.