The Shows

The critically acclaimed Pop-up Globe Theatre Company returns with four new spectacular productions of Shakespearean masterworks. Two professional ensemble companies have been formed; the Pop-up Globe King's Company, an all-male cast, and the Pop-up Globe Queen's Company, a mixed cast of male and female actors, both working with a band of live musicians.

Returning after their hugely successful, sold-out seasons of Twelfth Night and Romeo & Juliet are Shakespeare experts and theatre directors Dr Miles Gregory (UK/NZ) and Ben Naylor (UK). Henry V, one of the bloodiest war stories in English history, will be presented by the King's Company and directed by Dr Gregory. Naylor returns to direct the Queen's Company in Shakespeare’s great psychological thriller Othello.

The Pop-up Globe Theatre Company also introduces two new directors for the season. Direct from the UK, comedy specialist Tom Mallaburn will direct the King's Company in a magical retelling of As You Like It and, making her directorial debut for the company, Miriama McDowell (NZ) will direct the Queen's Company in the uproarious comedy Much Ado About Nothing.

“Even those with only a passing interest in Shakespeare are bound to be captivated by the whole experience.” - Theatreview

As You Like It

Presented by the Pop-up Globe King’s Company

“I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it”

The Pop-up Globe King’s Company presents Shakespeare’s brilliant comedy, As You Like It, at Pop-up Globe Auckland.

A young girl and her friend, wanted by the authorities, escape the tyrannical court and find shelter in the ancient Forest of Arden. But they’re not alone. And as the Forest works its transformative magic on all those who seek refuge there, love and life have never felt more precious.

Set in the summer of 1642 - just months before the outbreak of the bloody and disastrous English Civil War and the permanent closure of the original second Globe theatre - and performed by a full all-male cast in authentic costumes of the period, As You Like It is an exercise in early modern escapism.

The Pop-up Globe King’s Company is Pop-up Globe’s resident all-male company of actors and live musicians, working with world experts to bring you the authentic shock of the old: the effect of Shakespeare’s plays performed in the space and style for which they were written.

For the Pop-up Globe King’s Company

Director: Tom Mallaburn (UK)

Designer: Barbara Capocci

Composer: Paul McLaney

Fight Director: Alexander James Holloway

Henry V

Presented by the Pop-up Globe King’s Company. From the director of last season's acclaimed Twelfth Night.

“We would not die in that man's company / That fears his fellowship to die with us.”

The Pop-up Globe King’s Company presents Shakespeare’s immortal and inspirational Henry V.

A young man faces up to the hard realities of war and loss as he leads his ragtag army in a harrowing campaign on foreign soil. As his friends die and the chances of victory fade, he must conquer his demons on a bloody battlefield that will go down in history: Agincourt.

Set in both 1625 and 1415, this new production uses historically accurate costumes from both periods to recreate one of the bloodiest victories in English history live on the Pop-up Globe stage, including extensive Jacobean special effects and full armoured combat performed by an all-male cast of sixteen.

The Pop-up Globe King’s Company is Pop-up Globe’s resident all-male company of actors and live musicians, working with world experts to bring you the shock of the old: the effect of Shakespeare’s plays performed in the space and style for which they were written.

For the Pop-up Globe King’s Company

Director: Miles Gregory

Designer: Barbara Capocci

Composer: Paul McLaney

Fight Director: Alexander James Holloway

Much Ado About Nothing
Presented by the Pop-up Globe Queen’s Company.

“I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow, than a man swear he loves me.”

The Pop-up Globe Queen’s Company presents Shakespeare’s hilarious comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, at Pop-up Globe Auckland.

Travelling home in the summer heat, a group of soldiers break their journey on a South Pacific Island, at a luxurious mansion inhabited by a wealthy businessman and his beautiful entourage. But while the valiant Claudio and beautiful Hero are head over heels in love, the cynical Benedick swears he’ll never be married - and particularly not to the quick-witted Beatrice. Or will he? Mayhem ensues.

With a contemporary setting, and performed by a full cast in spectacular costumes that blend the past and present, Much Ado About Nothing is an invitation to a joyful and uproarious house party, combining live music, dance and performances by a specially formed international ensemble.

The Pop-up Globe Queen’s Company is Pop-up Globe’s resident mixed company of male and female actors and live musicians, working with world experts to bring you the shock of the old: the effect of Shakespeare’s plays performed in the space for which they were written.

For the Pop-up Globe Queen’s Company
Director: Miriama McDowell

Designer: Chantelle Gerrard
Composer: Paul McLaney
Fight Director: Alexander James Holloway

Othello

Presented by the Pop-up Globe Queen’s Company. From the director of last season's acclaimed Romeo and Juliet.

“O beware, my Lord, of jealousy. / It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock / The meat it feeds on.”

The Pop-up Globe Queen’s Company presents Shakespeare’s tragedy, Othello, at Pop-up Globe Auckland.

Othello is one of Shakespeare’s greatest psychological thrillers. In a theatre of war, a great general is brought down by the power of his own love and the prejudice of others.

Othello forces us to confront a timeless fear: does the Devil move among us? Racism, jealousy and envy conspire in Shakespeare’s dark tragedy, in this full production inspired by the Jacobean period, performed by a specially-formed international ensemble in spectacular bespoke costumes.

The Pop-up Globe Queen’s Company is Pop-up Globe’s resident mixed company of male and female actors and musicians, working with world experts to bring you the shock of the old: the effect of Shakespeare’s plays performed in the space for which they were written.

For the Pop-up Globe Queen’s Company

Director: Ben Naylor (UK)

Composer: Paul McLaney

Costume Designer: Chantelle Gerrard

Fight Director: Alexander James Holloway