Cunard partners with Royal Shakespeare Company for entertainment onboard Queen Mary 2

The three-year partnership runs from May 29 to August 12, 2022 and then again from September 15 to November 13, 2022 with the bespoke programme delivered onboard the ship during the two periods. Dates for future years will be announced at a later date.

‘We are delighted to welcome the Royal Shakespeare Company on board our flagship, Queen Mary 2,’ remarked Lee Powell, VP brand and product, Cunard. ‘To be able to offer our guests access to unique performances by world leaders in both contemporary theatre and Shakespeare’s finest work, is an extraordinary opportunity which I know our guests will fully immerse themselves in.’ 

Performances

RSC, which performs works by Shakespeare, his contemporaries and other literary legends past and present, will tailor the performances for passengers. Shows will include ‘Boundless as the Sea’ – a blend of Shakespeare’s iconic love scenes created by Owen Horsley – and ‘Miss Littlewood,’ a critically acclaimed musical from the RSC by Sam Kenyon that explores the life of one of theatre’s most playful and radical figures.

Explained Royal Shakespeare Company Acting Artistic Director Erica Whyman, ‘The RSC ignites imaginations and expands horizons, and Shakespeare’s plays allow us to imagine new and remarkable worlds, so this partnership has a perfect synergy. ‘Boundless as the Sea,’ which is what Juliet calls her love for Romeo, will be a heart-warming taster of all the ways Shakespeare explores love and romance, and we are also very pleased to be presenting a version of the joyous, quirky and toe-tapping ‘Miss Littlewood.’ 

‘This is an exciting new venture for us, and we look forward very much to meeting new audiences on board.’ 

Touring exhibition

In addition, Queen Mary 2 will host a touring exhibition, ‘Digital Diorama: An Augmented Journey Through Shakespeare’s Stratford,’ which will involve passengers using devices to experience scenes from his plays. 

Some of the RSC’s most popular productions in recent years, including ‘Hamlet,’ ‘Henry V,’ ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’ and ‘As You Like it’ will also be screened in Cunard’s on board cinema, Illuminations.

Workshops

The onboard cast will lead a series of workshops that explore acting where passengers will be able to access ‘Shakespeare Tales’ – intimate, informal events where actors will perform their personal favourite sonnets and speeches, and answer questions from the audience.