Sir Kenneth Branagh returns to the RSC for first time in 30 years

Katie RazzallCulture and Media EditorSeamus Ryan/RSCSir Kenneth Branagh returns to the RSC for the primary time in 30 years, to play Prospero in The TempestSir Kenneth Branagh is returning to the Royal Shakespeare Firm for the primary time in additional than three many years, in what the RSC’s creative administrators are calling a “once-in-a-generation theatrical occasion”.In a collection of firsts for 2 of the nice titans of British theatre, the Oscar-winning actor and director will play Prospero in The Tempest for the primary time, at Stratford-upon-Avon’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre within the Spring of 2026, directed for the primary time by Sir Richard Eyre. Sir Kenneth advised the BBC: “After they requested me to come back again to the corporate, my response was a swift and enthusiastic sure.”The actor added he is “been conscious of a brand new artistic vitality spilling out of these theatres” beneath the brand new regime of Harvey and her fellow creative director Daniel Evans.He can even carry out in Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard reverse Academy-award winner Helen Hunt, directed by RSC co-Inventive Director Tamara Harvey.Reg Wilson/RSCSir Kenneth, pictured with co-star Jane Lapotaire, appeared within the a lot acclaimed 1992 manufacturing of HamletSir Kenneth final appeared on the RSC greater than three many years in the past, in 1994, as Hamlet. However he advised me his first interplay with the Stratford-upon-Avon theatres was as an viewers member in 1978 when he was 17.He stated he “hitchhiked to get there, and had a tent, a dream, and three cans of Heinz sausages and beans”.The primary play he noticed was The Tempest, with Prospero performed by Michael Hordern. He stated he watched it “for 90p from the again of the Gods”.”I used to be enthused and excited by the entire expertise and I really feel the identical means practically 50 years later as I return, solely this time I do not assume I am going to hitchhike, and I could keep away from the sausages and beans,” he added.Joe Cocks Assortment/Shakespeare Birthplace TrustSir Michael Hordern performed Prospero, alongside Sheridan Fitzgerald as Miranda within the RSC’s 1978 manufacturing of The Tempest, which so entranced BranaghIn the years since that memorable journey to the RSC, Sir Kenneth has attained theatrical and cinematic heights most actors can solely dream of. As considered one of Britain’s most garlanded actors and administrators, his display screen credit are extraordinary; Peter’s Buddies, Shackleton, Wallender and Hercule Poirot.He’s additionally recognisable to legions of youthful followers as Professor Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and techniques. Sir Kenneth gained an Oscar in 2022 for greatest unique screenplay for his autobiographical movie, Belfast which additionally gained the Bafta for excellent British movie. He’s additionally set to star within the upcoming movie The Satan Wears Prada 2 reverse Meryl Streep.Warner Bros.In 2002, Sir Kenneth performed Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and techniques For a few years Sir Kenneth was additionally internationally related to Shakespeare on movie. He shot his Henry V, with no expertise of directing films, when he was solely 28 and was nominated for a greatest director Oscar for it at 29. I can bear in mind being surprised by his depiction of the muddy Agincourt battlefield and the piles of the useless.His subsequent challenge was A lot Ado About Nothing, a masterpiece, set in an Italian villa along with his then companion Emma Thomson enjoying Beatrice joyfully to his Benedick. Then got here Othello, Hamlet and extra – which will be described as a golden period of Shakespeare on movie.AlamySir Kenneth made his directorial debut within the critically acclaimed and Oscar nominated Henry V, in addition to starring because the KingSir Kenneth’s labored on 35 productions of Shakespeare throughout his profession – I puzzled how he would possibly now reimagine Shakespeare for a era glued to their telephones?He talked of incomes the audiences’ consideration and stated: “We needn’t overthink the so-called battle with know-how or be militant about making folks ‘like’ Shakespeare. “The will is to divert, not convert. That may be quite a lot of enjoyable!”Performing Shakespeare will be very bodily and Sir Kenneth began coaching for his new position of Prospero in March.He stated he wants “at the least a 12 months of many varieties of train – psychological and bodily” to be prepared.AlamyBranagh as Benedick with Emma Thompson (his then spouse) as Beatrice in the 1993 movie of A lot Ado About Nothing, which he additionally directed and adaptedFor director Sir Richard, whose multi award-winning profession additionally noticed him lead the Nationwide Theatre all through the Nineteen Nineties, this might be his first time directing Shakespeare for the RSC.He advised the BBC that The Tempest “resonates for me as a result of it is a play about freedom and energy in addition to colonialism and artwork”. Sir Richard says Sir Kenneth is enjoying Prospero as a result of he is a “good actor, who brings intensive expertise of Shakespeare and of making theatre and movie. He’ll convey nice authority and gravitas to the half”.Eyre additionally needs his Tempest to seize imaginations: “I hope there will be some magic concerning the manufacturing which ought to attraction to each era”.BBC/Neal Road Productions(L-R) Richard Eyre on the set of The Hole Crown: Henry IV : Half 2 with actors Michelle Dockery and Alun ArmstrongAt a time when arts funding is being squeezed, Sir Kenneth enthusiastically makes the case for state subsidy within the arts as an funding for the long run. “For the 90p ticket worth with which authorities subsidy allowed me to make my first go to to Stratford practically 50 years in the past, they modified my life and helped steer me and lots of others into careers, initiatives and work which have finally introduced a whole lot of hundreds of thousands of kilos again into the economic system.”Cultural energy could also be thought-about mushy energy, however I’d name it a super-power – a very British super-power to be happy with,” he added.Sir Richard too had a message for ministers: “I would really like the Authorities to recognise that the humanities are weapons of happiness and understanding and are as vital to the well being of the nation as weapons of battle.”Getty ImagesSir Kenneth, pictured with Meryl Streep, will seem collectively within the forthcoming Satan Wears Prada 2The RSC’s 2026 season can even see Hunt and writer-performer Mark Gatiss make their RSC debuts, with Gatiss in Brecht’s The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui.Harvey and Evans stated Sir Kenneth’s return might be a “celebration of theatre-making on an epic scale”.For Sir Kenneth, the pull of Stratford by no means fairly left him and stepping on to the stage is “by no means lower than thrilling… The legacy of all those that’ve gone earlier than – actors and audiences – is an inspiration relatively than a weight.”Greater than 30 years on from his acclaimed Hamlet, Sir Kenneth’s return guarantees to be one of the vital talked-about cultural occasions of 2026.The Tempest runs on the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 13 Might to twenty June, with press evening on 26 Might. The Cherry Orchard opens on the Swan Theatre on 10 July.