1623 theatre company

28/04/2026

Coming this autumn...

We’re delighted to announce that the Macbeth theatre performance by 1623 theatre company which was postponed last year, has now been rescheduled! 🙌

Experience Shakespeare’s gripping tragedy in a truly unforgettable setting. Join us for an evening of drama, history and live performance 🎭

📆 Friday 13 November
⏰ 14:00 and 19:30 performances
🎫 https://www.livetickets.org/whats-on/macbeth-partners-of-greatness/

28/03/2026

On this World Theatre Day, we are celebrating some of the wonderful people and organisations who have made shows and workshops with us over the last few years. Do you recognise any?

16/03/2026

Sonnet Jam is a monthly online session with a group of friendly people exploring one of Shakespeare's 154 sonnets - short love poems packed full of passion.

This month, join 1623 associate artist Steph Reynolds and her friendly group of sonnet jammers to read and share thoughts on Shakespeare’s sonnet 112 (below).

You don’t need to know anything about Shakespeare or sonnets to take part - everyone is welcome, from absolute beginners to poetry fans.

Next session: Weds 18th March 2026,
7.30pm to 8.30pm GMT on Zoom.

Send us a DM or an email - [email protected] - to reserve your free place, and please let us know your online access requirements.

Sonnet 112
Your love and pity doth the impression fill
Which vulgar scandal stamp’d upon my brow;
For what care I who calls me well or ill,
So you o’er-green my bad, my good allow?
You are my all the world, and I must strive
To know my shames and praises from your tongue;
None else to me, nor I to none alive,
That my steel’d sense or changes right or wrong.
In so profound abysm I throw all care
Of others’ voices, that my adder’s sense
To critic and to flatterer stopped are.
Mark how with my neglect I do dispense:
You are so strongly in my purpose bred
That all the world besides methinks are dead.

15/03/2026

Happy Mother's Day! 🩷🩷🩷

Donna Mullings as Hermione and Wambui Hardcastle as Mamillius in The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare, translated into modern verse by Tracy Young for Play On Shakespeare. Photo by Jay Nandha.

Co-directed by Ben Spiller and Sophie Stone. Set and costumes designed by Nikki Charlesworth. Lighting designed by Sam Osborne. Movement by Kim Bormann. BSL consultancy by Nadia Nadarajah. Produced by Jamie Brown.

Supported by Attenborough Arts Centre and Derby Theatre. Commissioned and funded by Play On Shakespeare.

05/03/2026

In the spirit of World Book Day, dramatherapist and 1623 associate artist Shane Gabriel talks about their favourite play in the First Folio, the monumental book of Shakespeare's complete(ish) works.

"My favourite play is Macbeth. And, much like the Lady herself, I’ve wrestled with it: with the text, and with the ideas of what gender, loss, aloneness, and roles are supposed to mean.

My first professional gig was playing Macduff’s son. Later, I came back to the play from the other side, creating a q***r Lady Macbeth with 1623, and everything in between (playing servants, guests, porter). This only deepened the pull that the play has on me.

At this point, it feels like a kind of calling: to peel back another layer… who knows what I’ll find next, and what will be created from the calling?

Also, I’m thrilled it’s on the curriculum this year, though I often disagree with the teaching and expected interpretation. I’ll get to see it everywhere. Four different versions booked so far. And of course, I’m going to see Oliver Alvin Wilson in it at Derby Theatre (I’ve booked twice)."

05/03/2026

On this World Book Day, award-winning playwright and 1623 associate artist Jane Upton shares her favourite play in Shakespeare's First Folio, the legendary book published in 1623.

"I think mine is King Lear because I still wrangle with that father, daughter relationship, the power dynamic, Cordelia’s ability to forgive despite her awful treatment by her dad.

I can’t remember the details now but I often see and hear advice to people who are estranged from a parent that “blood is thicker than water” and “you only get one father, nothing is worth estrangement”.

But when does that become untrue? Also just the power dynamic of your dad being a king. Fascinating in modern times as in all times."

05/03/2026

It's World Book Day, and 1623 board member Dr Anjna Chouhan shares her favourite play in Shakespeare's First Folio - our favourite book ever.

"My fave is Troilus and Cressida in the folio, because it was missed off the catalogue in 1623, so it always feels like a sneaky / secret play.

I've always been drawn to the language and tone of Troilus and Cressida. It’s subversive, angry, and anti-heroic. I enjoy the fact that it’s inspired by Chaucer, too!"

Have you checked out our online adaptation of Troilus and Cressida? It was part of the Cultural Olympiad's World Shakespeare Festival in 2012, and it is still available here: unclepandarus.com.

05/03/2026

It's World Book Day! Here is 1623 associate artist Oliver Alvin Wilson with one of our favourite books ever - a first edition of the complete(ish) works of Shakespeare, also known as the First Folio. Did you know that we are named after the year in which the First Folio was published?

Oliver is pictured here with a first edition of the First Folio at Shakespeare North Playhouse back in 2023, when the British Library loaned it to the theatre as part of the 400th anniversary celebrations of the First Folio.

One of a handful of Shakespeare's plays that first reached print in the First Folio was Macbeth. Oliver and team have just completed a run of this play at Hull Truck Theatre.

They are touring the show to Octagon Theatre Bolton this month, and then on to Derby Theatre in April. Check it out!

25/02/2026

The UK government must stop cutting Access to Work funding, which makes it possible for Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people to do their jobs.

Solidarity with Jenny Sealey, Graeae Theatre Company, and everyone affected by these terrible cuts, which are disabling people further. More funding, not less.

Message to the government from our pal William Shakespeare:

"O, it is excellent
To have a giant's strength; but it is tyrannous
To use it like a giant."
- Measure for Measure

19/02/2026

Dear Friends and Supporters of 1623

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the cancellation of our current production, Antony & Cleopatra.

Please be assured that we tried our best to keep the show on track, but unforeseen circumstances prevented this from happening.

We send heartfelt thanks to our fantastic cast, creatives, production team, access workers, and everyone who supported the show including those who booked tickets.

To our funder Play On Shakespeare, and partner venues Derby Theatre and Shakespeare North Playhouse - thank you for all your support and kind understanding.

While this is the end of this particular project, we will evaluate, learn lessons, and come back stronger with exciting new projects to shake, shape and share with you.

With love and gratitude from everyone at 1623.