Live at the RSC returns to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon between Wednesday 31 May and Sunday 4 June with a festival of live music and comedy, in association with Orchestra of the Swan and Underbelly.

HIGHLIGHTS

Red Sky At Sunrise: Laurie Lee in Words & Music
Presented by Orchestra of the Swan
Wednesday 31 May

The programme opens with a unique performance by Orchestra of the Swan who present Red Sky at Sunrise: Laurie Lee in Words & Music. Red Sky at Sunrise follows Lee's extraordinary journey through his much-loved trilogy, Cider with Rosie, As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning and A Moment of War, from growing up in Gloucestershire, to fighting with the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War. Laurie Lee is performed by Anton Lesser and Charlie Hamblett, with music from Orchestra of The Swan, featuring Mark Ashford on guitar.

Anton Lesser is an RSC Associate Artist, and his extensive credits for the Company include The Winter’s Tale, Cymbeline and The Taming of the Shrew.  On screen his credits include Wolf Hall, Andor, Game of Thrones, Endeavour and The Crown.  Charlie Hamblett began his career on stage in the RSC’s The Histories Cycle, directed by Michael Boyd.  Charlie’s West End credits include The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui and The Tempest. On screen, his credits include Killing Eve, The Secret Agent and Around The World in 80 Days.

Thursday Night Comedy: Charlie Baker, Nina Conti and Rachel Parris
Presented by Underbelly
Thursday 1 June

Some of stand-up comedy’s best and brightest take to the stage for the opening night of the comedy programme. Join the incomparable MC Charlie Baker (as seen on The Last Leg & The Great British Bake Off: Extra Slice, as heard on TalkSport) as he presents two incredible performers Nina Contiand Rachel Parris. Nina is the quick-thinking queen of ventriloquism and British Comedy Award winner. Rachel is a BAFTA nominated comedian, musician, actor and improviser, best known for her viral segments on BBC2's The Mash Report and now as the host of Dave's Late Night Mash.

Friday Night Comedy: Ian Smith, Mark Watson, Fern Brady, Zoe Lyons and Sarah Keyworth
Presented by Underbelly
Friday 2 June

What better way to round out the week than with a huge line up of some of the best comedians in the land! Delightful Yorkshireman Ian Smith (as heard on his own BBC Radio 4 comedy documentary) hosts Taskmaster stars Mark Watson and Fern Brady as well as Zoe Lyons (as heard on BBC’s News Quiz, The Now Show) and Sarah Keyworth (as seen on BBC One’s Live at the Apollo).

Saturday Night Comedy: Ivo Graham, Rhys James, Jessica Fostekew, Celya AB and Tadiwa Mahlunge
Presented by Underbelly
Saturday 3 June

A perfect night of comedy for a Saturday night. Leading the charge is the fantastic MC Ivo Graham (as seen on BBC One’s Live at the Apollo and appearing in the next season of Taskmaster). Joining him will be Rhys James (as seen as a series regular on Mock The Week), Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Show Nominee Jessica Fostekew, and two of the rising stars of comedy Celya AB and Tadiwa Mahlunge.

Austentatious – An Improvised Jane Austen Novel
Presented by Underbelly
Sunday 4 June

The award-winning smash-hit comedy, as seen in the West End and heard on Radio 4. The all-star Austentatious cast will improvise a hilarious new Jane Austen novel, inspired entirely by a title from the audience. Performed in period costume with live musical accompaniment, it’s a riotous, razor-sharp show where swooning is guaranteed.

The revolving Austentatious cast include numerous, award-winning TV and Radio starring performers, including Rachel Parris (The Mash Report, Live at the Apollo), Cariad Lloyd (QI, Inside No.9, Griefcast, The Witchfinder), Joseph Morpurgo (Radio 4, Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee), Andrew Hunter Murray (No Such Thing As A Fish) and more.