(SPOT.ph) Early in March, news broke that the award-winning Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre—Europe's first-ever pop-up Shakespearean theater—would be coming to Manila in September. We were counting the days. But when the much-awaited month finally rolled in, we got the unfortunate news from the company: Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre is no longer proceeding with their productions of Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream. The shows were due to be staged at The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque City from September 17 to 22.
"The publicity we have achieved from the media in Manila is unbelievable and we are immensely grateful for that, but sadly this has not translated into ticket sales, and despite an intense and costly marketing campaign, we have not been able to sell anywhere near the number needed to make the project financially viable. It is with great sadness that we have made the decision to cancel the season," James Cundall, chief executive of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and founder of the new Shakespeare's Rose Theatre, said in a statement.
In July, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions flew selected Filipino journalists to watch the shows ahead of time and experience the one-of-a-kind theater pop-up in front of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England. The stage takes inspiration from the original The Rose, an Elizabethan theater that's three stories high, polygonal in shape, and has no roof. The stage set is kept to a bare minimum, and people—called the groundlings—can stand just below the stage.
"The team at Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre was incredibly excited about bringing these superb productions to Manila audiences, so this is not a decision we have taken lightly," Cundall continued.
For ticket refunds, contact Ticketworld through 891-9999 or tickets@ticketworld.com.ph. For other updates, follow Lunchbox Theatrical Productions Manila on Facebook.
