Get thee to your friends in the Modern Language Department, if such a treasure still exists in your school. Dust them down, and let them know that the marvellous Cheek by Jowl is on tour with a Russian-language version of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, directed by Declan Donnellan and designed by Nick Ormerod. We love CbJ at Ink Pellet – their Macbeth was one of this reviewer’s special memories of last year so this is bound to be a treat. The short tour begins in March at Warwick Arts Centre (3-5), Oxford Playhouse (8-12), Nuffield Theatre Southampton (16-19) and London Barbican from April 7-16. You could even see it in Moscow – now there’s a thought! – between May 25-27. Yes, there will be English surtitles. Contact the venues to book tickets.
Talking of foreign language theatre – Shakespeare’s Globe is pulling in theatre companies around the world for its own Bard Olympics. The venue on Bankside in London is to stage all of Shakespeare’s 38 plays in a different language from April 23. The event, which is part of next year’s Cultural Olympiad, will last six weeks.
The Polka Theatre, normally the reserve of productions for younger children, is presenting Robert Westall’s acclaimed novel The Machine Gunners. Hailed as one of the most important children’s novels of the past 70 years, the play tells the story of Chas McGill, who has the second best collection of war souvenirs in town. He desperately wants it to be the best and so, with his friends, he plans a war effort in their newly built bunker. Friendships are forged and loyalties tested in this moving adventure. Polka has teamed up with the Imperial War Museum to present Words From War, an exhibition of postcards written by young people to reflect their feelings of war. The postcards will be displayed around the building throughout the run of The Machine Gunners. The play runs until April 8. For tickets, call the Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, London, on 020 8543 4888.