theguardian.com
RSC Announces Globally-Focused 2025/26 Season
The Royal Shakespeare Company's 2025/26 season, announced on Tuesday, includes productions of Cyrano de Bergerac starring Adrian Lester, Henry V with Alfred Enoch, a two-part Forsyte Saga, and a musical adaptation of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, reflecting a global vision for the institution.
- What is the most significant aspect of the RSC's 2025-26 season announcement?
- The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) announced its 2025/26 season, featuring diverse productions such as a new adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac starring Adrian Lester, Henry V with Alfred Enoch, and a two-part Forsyte Saga. This season showcases a global vision, with plays spanning various cultures and time periods.
- How does the RSC's new season demonstrate its commitment to global storytelling?
- The RSC's diverse programming reflects a commitment to global storytelling, featuring works from Malawi, France, Scotland, and beyond. The inclusion of plays like The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and Macbeth alongside classic Shakespearean works demonstrates the company's ambition to broaden its appeal and explore diverse perspectives.
- What are the potential long-term impacts of the RSC's shift towards a more globally-focused programming strategy?
- The 2025/26 RSC season's global focus could influence future programming, potentially inspiring other theaters to adopt similar approaches. The success of these diverse productions might shape audience expectations, leading to greater demand for inclusive and globally-minded theatre.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline and introduction emphasize the 'bold' and 'global' vision of the RSC's new season. The selection and sequencing of information prioritize the star power of the actors and the positive critical reception of past productions, shaping the narrative towards a positive and exciting outlook. This framing might overshadow potential complexities or challenges.
Language Bias
The language used is largely positive and enthusiastic, employing words like 'bold', 'thrillingly', 'celebration', and 'lauded'. While this tone is engaging, it lacks objective neutrality. For instance, replacing 'lauded reboot' with 'new adaptation' would provide a more neutral description. The repeated use of superlatives might subtly influence reader perception.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the RSC's upcoming season, providing detail on specific productions and their creative teams. However, it omits discussion of the overall budget for the season, the ticket pricing strategy, or the RSC's plans for audience engagement and outreach. While these omissions might be due to space constraints, they could limit a reader's full understanding of the RSC's financial health and accessibility.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a largely positive view of the upcoming season, highlighting its 'global vision' and the celebrated actors involved. It doesn't explore potential challenges or criticisms the RSC might face, creating an implicit dichotomy between success and failure. The inclusion of the controversy surrounding The Forsyte Saga's rape scene is mentioned, but the overall tone remains celebratory.
Gender Bias
The article mentions several male and female actors and directors, though there is a slight imbalance toward male actors in the leading roles. The description of the productions mostly avoids gendered language and stereotypes. However, a more detailed examination of the gender balance across all roles within each production (actors, stage crew, creative teams) would be needed for a complete analysis.
Sustainable Development Goals
The Royal Shakespeare Company's new season features productions of classic plays and a musical adaptation of a memoir, promoting cultural understanding and appreciation of literature, contributing to quality education and fostering creativity.