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The
Aquila Theater Company is a company of British and American artists dedicated to
classical drama. Founded in London in 1991 by Peter Meineck, Aquila is now based
in New York City. Combining the techniques of British and American theater and
following a philosophy of theatrical utilitarianism, Aquila believes that “the
greatest works should be seen by the greatest number.” With precision and unity
of ensemble, Aquila articulates the human essence inherent in classical drama.
 Aquila is the
foremost producer of touring classical theatre in the United States, visiting
60-70 American cities per year. Previous Aquila tour consist of: Shakespeare’s
Julius Cesar and Joseph Heller’s stage adaptation of his novel Catch-22. Aquila
is also a major part of New York's theatrical landscape, producing a regular
season of plays. Their recent New York seasons have included Prometheus Bound
and a staged reading of Homer’s Iliad at Classic Stage Company.
In
addition to their American tours, Aquila has presented work internationally at
Shakespeare Festivals in Neuss, Germany; Gyula, Hungary; and Gdansk, Poland in
addition to the Festival of the Agean in Syros, Greece and the Edinburgh
Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland.
COLLABORATIONS: Aquila partners with major American theaters in the presentation
of its work, and collaborates with notable artists from other disciplines
including dance, music, and opera. In recent seasons, Aquila collaborated with
choreographer Doug Varone on its New York production of The Invisible Man, with
MidAmerica Productions on Cherubini’s opera MEDEE at Carnegie Hall and performed
Much Ado About Nothing at the White House.
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The
Iliad
By Homer
 There
can be no doubt that Homer’s epic story of Achilles and the Trojan War is one of
the greatest works in world literature. The Iliad has had a profound
influence on every generation since it was first performed by ancient Greek
bards in the Mediterranean over 2500 years ago. Described by The New York
Times as “A performance of staggering power,” the Aquila Theatre Company’s
production of Homer’s Iliad creates a “stunning, stirring, and memorable”
theatrical experience.
Nine years after the start of the Trojan War, the Greeks are still unable to
defeat their enemy. Agamemnon, the commander clashes with the best warrior,
Achilles over the division of war-prizes and is forced to give back the girl
Chryseis to her father after Apollo sends a terrible plague. Agamemnon claims
Achilles’ war-prize Briseis to save face and the furious Achilles withdraws from
the fighting and asks the Gods to turn the war against the Greeks.
Aquila’s innovative production tells the main parts of the story in an action
packed ninety minute evening using Stanley Lombardo’s excellent translation and
combining ritualistic movement, original music, and superb acting. This one of a
kind theatrical experience is both deeply engaging and accessible. As
Backstage raved, “If you see only one piece of theatre this year – see
Aquila’s Iliad”.
The Iliad: Book One was first performed by the Aquila Theatre Company at
Lincoln Center and the entire Iliad was performed as a fully staged reading at
Classic Stage Company in New York. The production design is based on the cover
photo of Stanley Lombardo’s 1998 Hackett Publishing translation, “Into the Jaws
of Death.”
by William Shakespeare
“The Classics made relevant with superb
acting and clever staging”- The New Yorker
 Aquila’s Comedy of Errors returns in a sensational new
revival, celebrating ten years since it first toured the United States. The
Aquila Theatre Company’s imaginative and exuberant production of
Shakespeare’s classic comedy is a “must-see” for newcomers to Shakespeare
and Bard enthusiasts alike. Aquila’s smash hit played extended engagements
in New York, Boston, Los Angeles and, Europe.
The Comedy of Errors is one of
Shakespeare’s most vibrant and sparkling comedies. The shrewd and inventive
plot relates an intricate and energetic story of two pairs of identical
twins in the same household separated by a devastating shipwreck. But as
this delightful comedy unfolds, all is not what it seems. Shakespeare’s
remarkable staging propels a glorious, farcical romp set in the sumptuous
surroundings of the ancient city of Ephesus. Brilliant comedy abounds in
this witty tale of mistaken identity, assumed personas, hilarious
machinations and whimsical family ties. Shakespeare expertly weaves these
boisterously entertaining strands together allowing his audience to stay one
step ahead of his characters and laugh heartily at the outrageous results.
The
Aquila Theatre Company has won international praise for their innovative
presentations of classical drama. Aquila’s unique and ingenious staging of
classical comedy have received both prestigious international prizes and
high praise from audiences, critics and scholars. Aquila has represented the
National Endowment of the Arts at the White House performing Shakespeare for
the President and First Lady and in the summer of 2007, made their Edinburgh
Festival debut. The New York Times wrote of Aquila's brilliant
Comedy of Errors: "No one who sees the rousing production by the
excellent Aquila Theater Company will forget a whit of it."
Utilizing the skills of the Aquila Theatre Company's unique
British/American ensemble, Aquila will present The Comedy of Errors
with passion, vigor and skill. With an amazing visual production, clever
movement, superb costumes, brilliant lighting and a specially commissioned
musical score, the Aquila Theatre Company's wonderful Comedy of Errors
will once again prove to be an unforgettable theatrical experience.
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Touring Programs
2009-2010
As You Like It
By William
Shakespeare
"All the world's a stage…"
in As You Like It, one of Shakespeare's greatest comedies.
Join Aquila Theatre in the Forest of Arden where love comes in all shapes,
sizes, and disguises.
Set in a period of
revolution in France when love conquered all, As You Like It
tells the story of power hungry men exiling their brothers, girls
playing guys, and finding love in unexpected places. Frederick exiles his
brother, Duke Senior so he can reign over a French Duchy. Simultaneously,
Orlando, who has been forced from his own town by a bloodthirsty brother,
finds himself in the Forest of Arden. Dressed as men, Rosalind and her best
friend and cousin, Celia, run from Frederick's regime and seek shelter in
the forest where they are fated to find the exiled Orlando and Duke Senior.
Shakespeare’s comic brilliance is wrapped in gender-confused, unrequited
love.
Aquila infuses As You
Like It with their unique blend of fun and entertaining
theatricality. The production is both faithful to Shakespeare and relevant
and accessible to a modern audience. Aquila's previous Shakespearean
comedies have been described as "Gleefully engaging ... almost unbearable
fun ... directed with inspiration and a beautiful use of physical humor" by The
New York Times and "Beautifully spoken, dramatically revealing and
crystalline in effect” by The New Yorker.
An Enemy of the
People
By Henrik
Ibsen
In Aquila Theatre's
thrilling new production of the Henrik Ibsen classic, An Enemy of the
People, "the strongest man in the world is the man who stands most
alone." This exciting drama explores the impact of severe eco-issues on a
small town and the consequences to one man of uncovering the truth.
Dr. Stockmann, a trusted
physician, makes a shocking discovery. The celebrated town spa, which serves
as the major source of local income, is toxic! Tensions flare as Dr.
Stockmann is desperate to convince his brother, the town mayor, of this
life-threatening health scare. In this gripping tale of one man taking on
City Hall, the doctor and 'self-proclaimed genius' must stand up for his
passionate beliefs in an effort to save lives.
This influential play, by
one of the most important playwrights of all time, has generated many stage
and film adaptations including Arthur Miller's 1950 adaptation, An Enemy
of the People, and Steven Spielberg's legendary film, Jaws.
Inspired by the contemporary relevance of Ibsen's play, Aquila is producing
An Enemy of the People as an entirely green production with the
smallest possible carbon footprint.
Described in The New York
Times as "a classically trained, modernly hip troupe," Aquila is also
developing a series of seminars and workshops based on the concept of
whistle blowing and the Whistleblower Protection Act of 2007. Aquila asks
these timeless questions: When is it right to speak up? Does the truth have
a price? Would you risk everything for the truth?
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Study Guides for the
08-09 Season
A Comedy of
Errors Study Guide (PDF)
The Iliad
Study Guide (PDF)
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Aquila offers a
full range of participatory workshops, seminars, and class visits designed to
help illuminate different aspects of the company's work. Aquila draws on the
wide base of experience of its company members. Below is a partial listing of
the current and past residency activities; please contact
Baylin Artists for descriptions.
The Oral
Tradition - The Art of Storytelling
Shakespearean Comedy
Comic Influences - From Athens and Rome to Elizabethan London
The Mask - Comedy and Tragedy
Reading Shakespeare
Truth and Imagination
Physical Theatre
Voice and Text
Class Visits
Seminars
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The Aquila Theatre
Company is pleased to offer special multi-day residencies with a team of company
members. These allow the presenting organization to offer a series of
interactive masterclasses in their community prior to the arrival of the full
company.
Aquila draws on the
wide base of experience of its company members. In addition to their extensive
professional expertise, the members have been trained at some of the US and UK's
best drama schools, including: The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, The Royal
Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, The London Academy of Dramatic Art, The
Webber Douglas Academy, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Tisch School of the
Arts, Stella Adler Conservatory, National Shakespeare Conservatory and the
Guildford School of Dramatic Art.
Two members of the
Aquila residency team will conduct masterclasses in the areas of Drama/Theater,
English, Literature, Movement and Classics. Specific masterclasses on
physicality, Shakespeare, Greek drama & comedy, and masks may also be
integrated into the residency curriculum. Each masterclass may be tailored for
middle, high school, and college-age students as well as adults and can be
offered at the basic, intermediate, or advanced levels.
Each masterclass
runs 60-90 minutes. The ideal class size is 20-25 participants. Classes may be
repeated to accommodate larger groups. A large open space is the ideal location,
although some masterclasses may be appropriate for a classroom setting. The
number of masterclasses taught on each day will be mutually determined with a
maximum of 3 masterclasses taught by an individual on any day. Some classes
require both members of the team.
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Please
contact Baylin Artists
for technical information.
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