Shakespeare’s Globe announces summer 2022 season

The season will run from April to October 2022.

Shakespeare's Globe has revealed programming for their summer 2022 season. The season includes productions of The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing, and King Lear, as well as a new play based on Joan of Arc's life The season also marks Shakespeare's Globe 25th anniversary since its 1997 opening. There will be a special performance held at the Globe to celebrate the quarter century on 18 June.

The upcoming summer season marks Shakespeare's Globe first full summer season since 2019. "For our summer season 2022, our magnificent wooden 'O' will hold the past and present, the personal and political, power, pomp, pageantry and passion" said Shakespeare's Globe artistic director, Michelle Terry. "The world beyond may be uncertain, but these plays are sure to guide us through the summer days with hope, strength, and purpose - and of course with people. Above all else there will be people. People being together, with other people. Summer Season 2022 at Shakespeare's Globe. It's going to be epic."

The season begins with Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Lucy Bailey. Bailey returns to the Globe for Much Ado About Nothing, following her previous directorial credits including a 2014 production of Titus Andronicus.

The Globe ensemble will star in Much Ado About Nothing, including Peter Bourke, Rachel Hannah Clarke, George Fouracres, Nadi Kemp-Sayfi and Ciaran O'Brien. Much Ado About Nothing is designed by Joanna Parker. Much Ado About Nothing begins previews on 22 April, ahead of an opening night on 29 April, and runs to 23 October.

A new adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry VIII will receive its premiere at Shakespeare's Globe this summer. Co-written by John Fletcher and Hannah Khalil, Henry VIII will now tell the story from a female perspective. Amy Hodge directs Henry VIII, and design is by Georgia Lowe. Henry VIII begins previews on 19 May, ahead of an opening night on 26 May, and runs to 21 October.

Helena Kaut-Howson, Marcello Magni, and Kathryn Hunter will reunite this summer to present King Lear. Hunter will play the title role in King Lear this summer, joined by Michelle Terry as Cordelia and the Fool, Magni as Kent, and an ensemble including Ryan Donaldson, Emma Ernest, Max Keeble, Glyn Pritchard, Marianne Oldham, Ann Ogbomo, Mark Jax and Diego Matamoros.

King Lear is designed by Pawel Dobrzycki with Naeem Hayat as the assistant director. King Lear begins previews on 10 June, ahead of an opening night on 17 June, and performances to 24 July.

The Olivier Award-winning director Sean Holmes will then direct The Tempest at Shakespeare's Globe, featuring The Globe Ensemble. The Tempest begins previews on 22 July, ahead of an opening night on 29 July, and performances to 22 October.

A brand new play inspired by Joan of Arc will then open at Shakespeare's Globe. Joan is by Charlie Josephine, and is directed by Ilinca Radulian. Joan begins previews on 25 August, ahead of an opening night on 1 September, and performances to 22 October.

The Globe on Tour company will also return for summer performances at Shakespeare's Globe, as part of their nationwide tour. Diane Page directs Julius Caesar, and design is by Khadija Raza. Julius Caesar is at Shakespeare's Globe from 3 May, with an opening night on 12 May, and performances to 13 August. 

BBC kids channel CBeebies will present a child adaptation of As You Like It on 9 and 10 August. A family-friendly production inspired by A Midsummer's Night Dream, titled Midsummer Mechanicals, will open at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Midsummer Mechanicals is by Kerry Frampton and Ben Hales, and is directed by Frampton and Lucy Cuthbertson.

^{Photo credit: Shakespeare's Globe (Photo by John Wildgoose)}