THE Royal Shakespeare Company is normally associated with the home of the Bard, Stratfordupon- Avon, where under this name they have brought to the stage both classical theatrical performances and modern works from new playwrights since 1961, but thanks to the graces of modern technology audiences across the country can enjoy the RSC experience.

Since November 2013 when the RSC first collaborated with Picturehouse Cinemas to broadcast Richard II, it has also been able to bring other notable Shakespearean performances to the widest possible audience including students in the classroom.

The latest announcement is for the broadcasting of Shakespeare’s very first (debatably) play The Two Gentlemen of Verona which will be shown live from Stratford in Durham Gala Theatre Cinema (amidst another 300 screens across the country) on September 3.

This is the first time in 45 years that The Two Gentleman of Verona has been performed in a full production on the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) stage.

This lesser known play displays some of the hallmarks that would become symptomatic of Shakespeare’s comedies: cross-dressing characters, clowns and conflict.

The play follows two friends, Proteus and Valentine, who both fall in love with the Duke’s daughter.

One of the friends is already betrothed to another woman and the other is not considered by the Duke to be a good match for his daughter.

In typical Shakespearean style the four young people find themselves chasing each other in pursuit of love through the woods. The 2014 rendition will be directed by Simon Godwin who makes his RSC debut with The Two Gentlemen of Verona. The cast includes Mark Arends as Proteus and Michael Marcus as Valentine.

  • The Two Gentlemen of Verona will be shown in the main auditorium of the Gala Theatre on September 3 (7.0pm). Full price tickets cost £15 (concessions available) and can be bought online from the RSC website at www.rsc.org.uk or at the Gala Theatre Box Office on 03000 266 600.