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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Macbeth's letter to Lady Macbeth. www.1623theatre.co.uk/macbeth-partners-of-greatness

1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Macbeth - Partners of Greatness Derby Cathedral, Fri 13th Nov 2.00pm and 7.30pm www.1623theatre.co.uk/macbeth-partners-of-greatness

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

In our new take on Macbeth, coming this autumn to Derby Cathedral, we are creating a world in which the Macbeths are grieving parents who are struggling with their loss. Show information, including access and ticket details: www.1623theatre.co.uk/macbeth-partners-of-greatness.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Macbeth - Partners of Greatness - at Derby Cathedral this autumn. Tickets and details: www.1623theatre.co.uk/macbeth-partners-of-greatness.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Heartfelt thanks to the fabulous families who stopped by to make theatre with us at the Park Life Reads Festival in Nuneaton last Saturday. Special thanks to the Warwickshire Libraries team for having us over and for creating such a beautiful, joyful and memorable event.

A chalk board on a brown grassy area with white flowers on top of it. On the board is writing in bright colours. It says, Shakespeare workshops, family-friendly and fun, here today, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 1623 theatre company.

A brown metal dressing up box on green grass. The lid is open. Draped on it is a yellow shawl with tassels. On either corner of the lid is a gold and red crown, and a furry brown bear mask. Inside the box are a pair of grey donkey ears, a blue cloak, and multicoloured flowers. Resting on the left of the box is a yellow and black inflatable picture frame. On the ground in front of the box are two pairs of fairy wings. Behind the box on a table with red tablecloth is a gold crown, a human skull, multicoloured flower crowns and a bell.

A close up of a person in a park. Behind them is a purple gazebo. They are wearing a furry brown bear mask on their face, and a lacey white ruff round their neck. They point their index finger to the side of their mouth.

The faces of a cardboard cutout of Shakespeare and a woman wearing an Elizabethan ruff are inside an inflatable yellow picture frame, which the woman holds. She smiles. In the background are blue sky, white clouds, green trees, and purple and green gazebos.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Macbeth - Partners of Greatness - at Derby Cathedral this autumn. Tickets and details: www.1623theatre.co.uk/macbeth-partners-of-greatness.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Join us this autumn for an unforgettable experience in the gothic splendour of Derby Cathedral. Macbeth - Partners of Greatness - is an emotional and haunting adaptation of Shakespeare’s intense tragedy. Friday 13th November, 2.00pm and 7.30pm. www.1623theatre.co.uk/macbeth-partners-of-greatness

A photo of a man, woman and baby smiling to the camera. The photo is in a frame on a marble surface in a cathedral. Next to the frame is a lit candle on a marble surface. Behind the frame are three ghostly figures. The are wearing long white robes, white hoods and white veils. They look towards the photo.

A man and a woman, both dressed smartly in black, are standing close together in a graveyard. It is misty and raining. The man holds a black umbrella above him and the woman. They both look down solemnly at a white marble gravestone with a small angel on top of it. The man's arm is round the woman's shoulders. She places her hand on his stomach. Behind them are three ghostly figures. They are wearing long white robes, white hoods and white veils. They clasp their hands and look towards the man and woman.

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Reposted by 1623 theatre company

Dr Varsha Panjwani @drvarshap.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Today’s featured production from my Introduction for OWC #MidsummerNightsDream is *Flourish* by @1623theatre.bsky.social. It enlists imaginative help of children in restoring environmental damage caused by Titania &Oberon's quarrel Info: www.1623theatre.co.uk/flourish Preorder: tinyurl.com/mre4rwtu

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

This is our response to the protests in the UK against people living in hotels, while the government processes their applications for refugee status. The words are from a play called Sir Thomas More, written in the 1590s by several playwrights including William Shakespeare.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

Lovely day of making theatre with families in Nuneaton, as part of the fabulous Park Life Festival. ☀️🌳✨️ #Nuneaton #Park #Theatre #FamilyFriendly #Midsummer #Shakespeare #1623participation #1623is20

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

Birthday wishes and happy memories from Mary, Sahera and Sarah. 🎉 #1623is20

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

Lovely day of making theatre with children, young people and their families in Nuneaton, as part of Warwickshire Libraries' Park Life Festival. ☀️🌳✨️ #Nuneaton #Park #Theatre #FamilyFriendly #Midsummer #Shakespeare #1623participation #1623is20

Two people stand on grass, either side of a vintage trunk in front of a gazebo. One of the people holds a pair of fairy wings, while the other holds a Venetian mask. They both smile and wave to the camera.

A group of people dress up and play in a park. A child wears fairy wings, an adult wears a crown.

A group of people dress up and play in a park. One of them wears a pair of donkey ears. Another wears a flower crown.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

Thanks to Jane, Benjamin, Neal, Linda, Mary Ann, Clare and Edalia for these gorgeous birthday messages. 🎉 #1623is20

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

Jenny, John, Steph, Sam and Shane send us lovely birthday messages. 🎉 #1623is20

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Highlights of our first 20 years from Lara, Anjna, Kate, Annèssa and Polly. 🎉💖✨️ #1623is20

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Favourite memories of our first 20 years from Kim, Oliver, Jayne, Adam and Norma. 🎉💖✨️ #1623is20

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Congratulations to Stuart - our longest-serving board member - on his marriage to Dani. 🌈💖✨️🎉 #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #Gay #Love #LoveIsLove #Wedding #Marriage #Celebration #1623people

Two white men stand facing each other in a room with yellow walls. Both men wear glasses and a suit. In front of them are rows of seated people watching them. Above them is a chandelier.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

Our board members gathered last night to catch up on recent activities, discuss developments including programme and finances, and plan ahead. Big thanks to chair Donna Briscoe-Greene, directors Sam Beckett Jr, Jamie Brown, Ben Spiller, and advisors Oliver Alvin-Wilson, Mary Ann Lund, Stuart Lydon.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

We are thrilled that Kate Cavill's short film Beyond the Castle Walls, commissioned and produced by us as part of our Shake Up series, has been nominated for Best Shakespeare Themed Film at the Stratford on Avon Film Festival. #Ophelia #DisabilityRights #ShortFilm #Shakespeare #Stratford #Nomination

A white woman wearing a black dress is outside a white building next to green trees. She holds up a sprig of rosemary and looks thoughtful.

Black text on a white background - nomination, Stratford on Avon Film Festival 2025. Either side of the text is a black graphic of a laurel curving inwards.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Happy birthday to Ira Aldridge (1807-1867) - the first Black theatre manager-actor in the UK. Here he is playing the title role in Othello, Aaron in Titus Andronicus, and King Lear. #IraAldridge #BlackArtist #Theatre #Actor #Othello #Aaron #Titus #KingLear #BlackTheatre #BlackLivesMatter

Black and white photo of a Black man in Jacobean costume. He has a black beard and moustache. He holds a scroll with one hand and with the other the handle of his sword, tucked into his belt.

Black and white photo of a Black man in Elizabethan costume. He has a black beard and holds a curved sword. There is a Roman urn and a pillar in the background.

Black and white photo of a Black man in Jacobean costume. He has a long white beard and reaches with his hand for something beyond the frame.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

We are 20 this year! To celebrate, we are asking you to share your favourite experiences of 1623, as well as your wishes and hopes for the future. Please post your messages, photos and videos with #1623is20. Thank you. 💖

Pink square. In the centre, a white parallelogram with pink text inside - sixteen twenty three theatre company. Below this in white text - twenty years.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

Well met, dear friends! We haven't been posting on here for a while, but we're gearing up to change that really soon. Lots of love, and thank you for your continued support. x

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Reposted by 1623 theatre company

Andy Kesson @andykesson.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Some wonderful pics by Troy Grant of @1623theatre.bsky.social and @wresurgence.bsky.social's Midsummer Mayhem this weekend. This test performance sold like hot cakes. Expect more BARDCORE productions very soon.

A female wrestler stands outside the ring, holding the bottom rope and looking in

A wrestler with fairy wings and blue and gold makeup raises his right hand in salute

The fairy king speaks in BSL to the audience, with his sidekick Puck as translator stood next to him

A wrestler in a donkey mask puts a naughty fairy in a headlock

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Reposted by 1623 theatre company

Andy Kesson @andykesson.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

So excited to be part of BARDCORE's Midsummer Mayhem, @1623theatre.bsky.social and @wresurgence.bsky.social's mashup of wrestling and Shakespeare. Come join us on 10th May in Nottingham for this scratch event! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bardcore-m...

Poster advert, pink background, donkey wrestling mask

1623 & Wrestling Resurgence Presence Bardcore wrestling Midsummer Mayhem.

Saturday 10th May

Lakeside Arts, University Park, Nottingham

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Queer Lady M - a fabulous fusion of drag, autobiography and Shakespeare. Coming to Shakespeare North Playhouse on Thurs 10 and Fri 11 April 2025. Details: www.1623theatre.co.uk/queer-lady-m 🌈🌸🐍 #QueerLadyM #LGBTQ #Theatre #Shakespeare

1623theatre.co.uk

Queer Lady M — 1623 theatre company

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Sam, Ben and Jamie had a fantastic session at Leicester University with Prof Sarah Knight and her literature students. Everyone worked together to bring to life a scene from Antony and Cleopatra. We loved how the students' confidence grew as they found their creativity and directed the scene.

Sam, Sarah, Ben and Jamie huddle together and smile to the camera. They are indoors with an interior window behind them.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Can you help us revive our Queer Lady M show and run a community workshop as part of the LGBTQ+ season at Shakespeare North this spring? We really need your support to make it all happen. www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/queer-lady...

crowdfunder.co.uk

Queer Lady M

With your support, we will bring our LGBTQ+ show and workshop to the Queer Season at Shakespeare North Playhouse.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

The fabulous JJ Cruickshank played soft boi Florizel in our recent show The Winter's Tale, supported by Play On Shakespeare. Here is JJ performing his fantastic new poem Soft boi, which he wrote in response to having played Florizel. Give it a go - it's beautiful! youtu.be/BmI09w5rsag?...

youtu.be

Soft boi - audio described, captioned

YouTube video by 1623 theatre company

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Thank you to everyone who came to The Winter's Tale. We really appreciate your support and hope you enjoyed the show. Whether you joined us in Leicester or Derby, or watched the livestream on YouTube, please could we ask you to fill in this short survey? docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

docs.google.com

The Winter's Tale - audience feedback

Thank you so much for joining 1623 recently, when we performed The Winter's Tale in Leicester and Derby, and online. We would really like to know your feedback so that we can understand your experie...

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

All performances of The Winter's Tale at @DerbyTheatre.bsky.social have sold out. If you don't have tickets, fear not - we are livestreaming the show on Sat 11th Jan starting at 7pm GMT. There will be two livestreams - one with BSL interpretation, one with captions. youtube.com/playlist?lis...

youtube.com

The Winter's Tale livestream - BSL, captioned - YouTube

Broadcast live from the studio of Derby Theatre, 1623 presents the UK premiere of Tracy Young's gripping new translation of Shakespeare's bold and moving pla...

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

Here's our review of 2024, a fantastic year of community and creativity: youtu.be/ckT7-ZPNJjE?... Audio described: youtu.be/5sk-s-AyGt8?... Captioned: youtu.be/DP898YTg6o0?... Did you come to a show, take part in a workshop, or join us online? What were your highlights? Let us know! #1623in2024

youtu.be

1623 in 2024 review

YouTube video by 1623 theatre company

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

Happy New Year! With love from everyone at 1623. 🩷✨️

Collage of images of the cast of The Winter's Tale wearing colourful clothes while dancing, smiling and holding hands. Featuring Elliot Webster-Mockett as Polixenes, JJ Cruickshank as Florizel, Wambui Hardcastle as Perdita, Donna Mullings as Dorcas, Oliver Tunstall as Autolycus, Michael Muyunda as William, and Karen Spicer as Sage. Set and costume design by Nikki Charlesworth. Lighting design by Sam Osborne. Photos taken by Jay Nandha.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

Merry Christmas! With love from everyone at 1623. 💖✨️

A collage of photos by Jay Nandha of our current show - The Winter's Tale. The photos show the diverse cast wearing modern clothes, and paper crowns on their heads. The set is a tower block of flats and a caravan. Featuring Elliot Webster-Mockett as Polixenes, Donna Mullings as Hermione, Wambui Hardcastle as Mamillius, Karen Spicer as Emilia, and Oliver Tunstall as Leontes. Set and costume design by Nikki Charlesworth. Lighting design by Sam Osborne.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

If you would like to come to a performance of our Winter's Tale in @DerbyTheatre.bsky.social's studio next month and the ticket prices are a bit outside your budget, send us a DM and we will sort you a free ticket. We don't want you to miss out. Show details at derbytheatre.co.uk/the-winters-tale.

derbytheatre.co.uk

The Winter's Tale - Derby Theatre

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

Don't miss our fantastic new 5-star show! Only three chances to catch The Winter's Tale at @DerbyTheatre in January! Shakespeare in modern English with BSL, captions and creative audio description. Book now at derbytheatre.co.uk/event/the-wi...

A diverse group of actors perform on stage. Behind them is a sign saying Sicilia Court, and a high-rise tower block. Below, a quote - ground breaking, unique, mesmerising, innovative access, stellar performances. Five stars. Theatre Ninja on The Winter's Tale.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Due to the storm, some of our team cannot travel to Attenborough Arts Centre this evening. So we have had to make the difficult decision to cancel tonight's performance of The Winter’s Tale. The matinee will go ahead as planned, but this evening's show is cancelled.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Here is the wonderful Wambui Hardcastle, who shares the names and sign names of their characters in The Winter's Tale. 1/7

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

The fabulous JJ Cruickshank is performing in The Winter's Tale with us at Attenborough Arts Centre this weekend. Here, JJ takes a break from the rehearsal room to introduce himself and his character names in English and BSL. 1/5

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Huge thanks to Attenborough Arts Centre, where we are currently making our new show The Winter's Tale, and to Play On Shakespeare for commissioning and funding us. ❄️❄️❄️ #WintersTale #Theatre attenborougharts.com/attenborough...

attenborougharts.com

Attenborough Arts Centre supports 1623 theatre company with new work The Winter’s Tale – Attenborough Arts Centre | University of Leicester

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

£10 ticket offer! We are offering £10 tickets for all performances of The Winter’s Tale at Attenborough Arts Centre on 6th and 7th December! Input code WINTERS10 at point of purchase to reduce full price tickets to a tenner! Book now: attenborougharts.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/....

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Exploring movement in The Winter's Tale rehearsals. Show details: 1623theatre.co.uk/the-winters-tale. ❄️❄️❄️ #WintersTale #Movement #Rehearsal #Shakespeare #TryItInTranslation @PlayOnShakes @AttenboroughAC @DerbyTheatre

In a room with white walls and wooden floor, a diverse group of artists explore movement.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Urgent! BSL interpreter required. Due to a sudden change in circumstances, we are seeking an interpreter to co-work with another interpreter in our rehearsal room this Friday - 15th November - in Leicester, with 2 Deaf artists and 7 hearing artists in the room. 1/3

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 30/08/2024

The Winter's Tale rehearsal script is ready for our cast, creatives, makers and access workers to bring it to life later this year. So much exciting potential in these pages to thrill, delight and move our audiences in Leicester, Derby and online! 1623theatre.co.uk/the-winters-tale

Flicking through pages of the script - white paper, black ink.

Flicking through pages of the script z white paper, black ink.

Front page of the script. White paper, black ink, black spiral binding. The Winter’s Tale written by William Shakespeare, translated into modern English by Tracy Young, edited and adapted by Ben Spiller, dramaturgical support by Lue Douthit. Text highlighted in yellow needs translating into BSL.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 25/08/2024

Huge congratulations to 1623 associate trainee Georgia Andrews, whose short film based on Hamlet won Best Shakespeare Themed Film at the Stratford on Avon Film Festival last night. Georgia is with us on a year-long placement as part of Develop Your Creative Practice, funded by Arts Council England.

Georgia wears a black jacket, smiles to the camera, and holds up a framed certificate. Above and to the right are green leaves. To the left is a window with Shakespeare's face in stained glass.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 24/08/2024

We cannot wait to head up to Shakespeare North Playhouse to experience Graeae's Romeo and Juliet - a super snazzy fusion of Shakespeare, BSL, captions and audio description directed by the fabulous Jenny Sealey, and performed by a fantastic ensemble of Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists.

Nine Polaroid photos, arranged three by three, placed on top of a piece of purple material. A word in yellow text on a purple background on each of three photos - top left, Romeo; middle, and; bottom right, Juliet. Each of the other six photos shows a person's face. Top row - woman looking down at a phone, man holding a red flower in his teeth. Middle row - woman smelling a bunch of red flowers, man looking up to the left. Bottom row - woman peering over sunglasses, man holding his hands together.

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1623 theatre company @1623theatre.bsky.social · 22/08/2024

Next sonnet jam is tonight - Thurs 22 Aug - 8-9pm on zoom. Everyone welcome. This month, we will be reading and exploring sonnet 29, which starts with 'When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes...' Book your free place and let us know your access requirements by emailing ben@1623theatre.co.uk.

White square with pink frame. In the centre, pink outline of a heart above an open book. Below this, in pink capital letters, Sonnet Jam.

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