Summer: Uptown Shakespeare in the Park

Presented by The Classical Theatre of Harlem

SYNOPSIS

It’s all for one and one for all as D’Artagnan and the Musketeers fight to protect the ones they love from the revolting exploits of Cardinal Richelieu.  A story of double crossings, kidnappings, and carefully guarded secrets, complete with lavish fights and sweeping romance, The Three Musketeers reminds us that through strength, courage and unity, you can always defend what you believe in.

by Catherine Bush
Directed by Jenny Bennett
Fight Direction by Emmanuel Brown
Choreographed by Tiffany Rea-Fisher

PRAISE FOR The Three Musketeers

THE NEW YORK TIMES

“A playful show that also drops a couple of raps and features a fancifully dramatic score by Shayshahn MacPherson.”

SYNOPSIS

The Classical Theatre of Harlem (Ty Jones, Producing Artistic Director), Pemberley Productions and Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s National Black Theatre are proud to present Sancho: An Act of Remembrance. This timely theater production celebrates the extraordinary life of Charles Ignatius Sancho, an African man who was born on a slave ship and rose to prominence as a noted abolitionist, composer, social satirist and man of refinement in 18th century English society. Sancho makes his mark in history by becoming the first British-African to cast a vote in England in 1774.

In this one man show, written, conceived and helmed by one of the United Kingdom’s most lauded stage and film actors Paterson Joseph, Sancho’s remarkable life is unveiled while casting new light on the often misunderstood narratives of the British-African experience, which are parallel to the stories of many African-Americans today. The play unfolds as Sancho prepares to be immortalized by Thomas Gainsborough, the famous 18th century English painter (whom painted Sancho in real life and was an acquaintance). The audience is granted a firsthand account into Sancho’s determined rise from poverty and servitude via the road of education, making for a truly remarkable life story. The themes of prejudice, xenophobia, and nationalism are topics that resonate today in modern American society and are explored via an elegant, witty, and often comedic delivery.

Conceived, Written and Performed by Paterson Joseph Co-Directed by Simon Godwin Music and Sound Design by Ben Park Designed by Michael Vale with lighting by Lucrecia Briceño

By Paterson Joseph
Co-Directed by Simon Godwin

PRAISE FOR SANCHO

THE NEW YORK TIMES

“Mr. Joseph cuts a pensive and gently sardonic figure, affecting a slight lisp and turning a mordant eye on life in 18th-century England, carefully guiding us from Sancho’s blighted childhood to his later ascendance to the middle class. The play bears the marks of Mr. Joseph’s extensive research, and he has clearly absorbed the style of Sancho’s writing, though he takes care to make it playable.”