This week we welcomed special guests to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre for the first in-person Shakespeare production since the pandemic began.
Our vibrant new Much Ado About Nothing is set in a futuristic world, inspired by Afro-futurism and sci-fi amongst other influences.
To celebrate the opening, the ‘Original Moko Jumbie’ company joined us to welcome audiences to the theatre. The dancers joined the cast in early rehearsals for a movement and dance workshop.
A Moko Jumbie is a stilts walker or dancer associated with healing and protection. A 'moko' is a healer in Central Africa and 'jumbi', a West Indian term for a ghost or spirit. In Trinidad and Tobago the Moko Jumbie is a god who towers over his village, forseeing danger and evil. Since the 1990s Moko Jumbie has had a prominent role in Carnival.
Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Roy Alexander Weise, with set designed by Jemima Robinson and costumes by Melissa Simon-Hartman is now playing in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre until 12 March.