A SUNDAY TIMES BEST FILM AND THEATRE BOOK OF 2022 'Anyone in love with the arts will fall in love with this beautifully written and fascinating book' Kathy Burke Astonish Me! is an adrenaline-charged rollercoaster through history's seismic first nights, exploring how individual artists can change and shape the story of culture - and allow us to see ourselves in new ways. It tells of times when 'the air between people seems to alter' as art achieves profound change, across the globe and across history. Dominic Dromgoole has created a radical and fresh canon. He begins in New York in 1963, as Lorraine Hansberry remakes American theatre and a nation's perception of race. And then, as the lights go up, we find ourselves in Renaissance Florence, watching Michelangelo's David being hauled into the Piazza della Signoria. The dust settles and we are transported to the birth of theatre in fifth-century Athens - and then to Paris to meet with Diaghilev and Stravinsky for the Rite of Spring. We witness kabuki's creation, as a radical women's performance, in Kyoto; the Sex Pistols shattering Thatcherite Britain at Manchester's Free Trade Hall; and watch as Hitchcock directs Psycho.

Now out in paperback, this highly personal and comprehensive survey of contemporary drama which celebrates the plays and playwrights at the forefront of theatre today All the way from A-Z, Dromgoole's engaging and provocative short essays include his thoughts on Sebastian Barry, Edward Bond, April de Angelis, Pam Gems, David Hare, Sarah Kane, Martin McDonagh, Conor McPherson, Harold Pinter, Mark Ravenhill, and many, many more. Intelligent, partisan, enthusiastic and always illuminating, this is an insider's guide to the key shapers of theatre over the last decade, and essential reading for anyone interested in contemporary theatre. This edition includes a new afterword."We are living in the middle of a carnival, a free festival, a fete, a flower show, a harvest home, a steam fair, a rock festival, a grand glorious tender wild burst of new plays." Dominic Dromgoole

NEW YORK TIMES 100 NOTABLE BOOKS OF 2017 Over two full years, Dromgoole, the Artistic Director of the Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, and the Globe players toured all seven continents, and almost 200 countries, performing the Bard's most famous play. They set their stage in sprawling refugee camps, grand Baltic palaces and heaving marketplaces - despite food poisoning in Mexico, an Ebola epidemic in West Africa and political upheaval in Ukraine. Hamlet: Globe to Globe tells the story of this unprecedented theatrical adventure, in which Dromgoole shows us the world through the prism of Shakespeare's universal drama, and asks how a 400-year-old tragedy can bring the world closer together.

Two years, 190,000 miles, 197 countries, one play. For the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth the Globe Theatre in London undertook an unparalleled journey to share Hamlet with the entire world. The tour was the brainchild of Dominic Dromgoole, artistic director of the Globe, and in Hamlet Globe to Globe, Dromgoole takes readers along with him on this wildly ambitious expedition. From performing in sweltering deserts, capital and remote cities, heaving marketplaces and on Pacific islands, and despite food poisoning in Mexico, the threat of ambush in Somaliland, an Ebola epidemic in West Africa, and political upheaval in Ukraine, the Globe's players tirelessly pushed on. They carried their own props, instruments, and costumes throughout the journey, and could construct an entire set in less than two hours. Dromgoole introduces this impressive cast of sturdy souls, recounting the highs and lows of their tour, paying witness to Shakespeare's power to transcend borders and bring people closer together. Dromgoole also shows us the world through the prism of Shakespeare and why, in its mystery, it resonates so widely how a sixteenth-century play can touch the lives of men and women in Sudan, citizens of Beijing, and Syrian refugees alike. Through the lens of this epic theatrical journey, Dromgoole gleans new insight into Shakespeare's masterpiece, exploring the play's history, its meaning, and its pleasures, and offering a dramatic and heartfelt testament to Shakespeare's enduring presence on the modern stage.

Live performance of the William Shakespeare comedy starring Michelle Terry, Olivia Ross and Joshua Silver. The play tells the story of Hermia (Ross) and Lysander (Luke Thompson), two young people who have fallen in love. There is just one problem: Hermia is bethrothed to Demetrius (Silver). When Hermia and Lysander decide to run away to the forest to be together in peace, they come across a group of people rehearsing a play to perform at the wedding of Theseus (John Light) and Hippolyta (Terry). Meanwhile, the King and Queen of the forest, Oberon and Titania (also played by Light and Terry) exercise their powers mischievously and cause havoc for everyone around.

Live performance of Shakespeare's historical play at the reconstucted Globe Theatre. The plot follows King Henry V, here portrayed by Jamie Parker, as he attempts to conquer France during the Hundred Years' War. Other cast members include Brendan O'Hea, Paul Rider, David Hargreaves and Brid Brennan.

A collection of William Shakespeare plays filmed at the Globe Theatre, London. Dominic Dromgoole directs the history plays 'Henry IV: Part One' and 'Henry IV: Part Two', with Oliver Cotton as King Henry, Jamie Parker as his son and heir, Prince Hal, and Roger Allam as the jovial drunkard Sir John Falstaff. Mark Rosenblatt directs 'Henry VIII', with Dominic Rowan as Henry, Miranda Raison as Anne Boleyn and Ian McNeice as the powerful Cardinal Wolsey. Finally, Christopher Luscombe directs 'The Merry Wives of Windsor', with Christopher Benjamin as the loveable rogue Sir John Falstaff, and Serena Evans and Sarah Woodward as the scheming mistresses Page and Ford.

In this highly personal and comprehensive survey of contemporary drama, Dominic Dromgoole, one of Britain's most innovative young directors, celebrates the plays and playwrights at the forefront of theatre today All the way from A-Z, Dromgoole's engaging and provocative short essays include his thoughts on Sebastian Barry, Edward Bond, April de Angelis, Pam Gems, David Hare, Sarah Kane, Martin McDonagh, Conor McPherson, Harold Pinter, Mark Ravenhill, and many, many more. Intelligent, partisan, enthusiastic and always illuminating, this is an insider's guide to the key shapers of theatre over the last decade, and essential reading for anyone interested in contemporary theatre."We are living in the middle of a carnival, a free festival, a fete, a flower show, a harvest home, a steam fair, a rock festival, a grand glorious tender wild burst of new plays." Dominic Dromgoole

A SUNDAY TIMES BEST FILM AND THEATRE BOOK OF 2022 'Anyone in love with the arts will fall in love with this beautifully written and fascinating book' Kathy Burke Astonish Me! is an adrenaline-charged rollercoaster through history's seismic first nights, exploring how individual artists can change and shape the story of culture - and allow us to see ourselves in new ways. It tells of times when 'the air between people seems to alter' as art achieves profound change, across the globe and across history. Dominic Dromgoole has created a radical and fresh canon. He begins in New York in 1963, as Lorraine Hansberry remakes American theatre and a nation's perception of race. And then, as the lights go up, we find ourselves in Renaissance Florence, watching Michelangelo's David being hauled into the Piazza della Signoria. The dust settles and we are transported to the birth of theatre in fifth-century Athens - and then to Paris to meet with Diaghilev and Stravinsky for the Rite of Spring. We witness kabuki's creation, as a radical women's performance, in Kyoto; the Sex Pistols shattering Thatcherite Britain at Manchester's Free Trade Hall; and watch as Hitchcock directs Psycho.

Filmed performance of William Shakespeare's 'Henry IV - Part 2' at the Globe Theatre in London. When King Henry IV (Olivier Cotton) is confined to his bed with a serious illness it seems likely that his son, Hal (Jamie Parker), will shortly be anointed King. Hal's suitability for the role, however, concerns the present King even as his death approaches and Hal takes the decision to spend less time making merry with his friends in preparation for the responsibilities of leadership. Falstaff (Roger Allam), meanwhile, comes out of semi-retirement to raise a small militia. Now getting on in years, the rascal hopes his friendship with Hal will land him the comfortable retirement he seeks, but will Hal be true to his old allies when he finally puts on the crown?

Recorded live at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, London in August 2009, this production of Romeo and Juliet features Ellie Kendrick and Adetomiwa Edun in the title roles, with direction by Dominic Dromgoole.