Amateurs raise the curtain for Hamlet performers

Amateur actors have been sharing a space with professionals from the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in a partnership project.

As audiences have attended the Hall for Cornwall to see the RSC's Hamlet over the last week, they have also been treated to "curtain-raising" performances by groups of local actors.

The groups included Shakespeare Nation, performing a short extract from their own play inspired by Hamlet.

Maya Clarke, 24, who works as a voice actor, said it was an honour to perform alongside the RSC. "It's really exciting to think that RSC actors are walking those boards, it's inspiring," she said.

Shakespeare Nation is part of a collaboration between the Hall for Cornwall and the Royal Shakespeare Company and part of a national programme to make the Bard's work more accessible.

Clarke said it was a "lovely community" of people from across Cornwall "from 18 to 80" who had a "mix of experience".

The To Be series also showcases performances from a 60-plus group and youth companies also performing their own Hamlet-inspired pieces during the RSC's run in Truro. The final performance from the HfC Youth Theatre takes place later.

Alison Dures has been part of Shakespeare Nation for five years.

"It's wonderful that the Hall for Cornwall and the RSC are offering this opportunity to community actors, there are all ages here doing the curtain raises this week so it's a great opportunity," she said.

Dures, a former teacher, said she had acquired a "certain confidence" and had started her own acting company with performances later this year.

"This has been a catalyst for me and I think that's what it does. It gives people confidence to go and do their own thing," she said.

Julien Boast, the Hall for Cornwall's chief executive and creative director, said the partnership with the RSC "dates back over a decade".

Offering a platform to community performers is "about a sense of identity and finding your tribe", he said.

"It's also just giving access to brilliant shows and a link to the stage for them to think - that could be me."

Rupert Goold's RSC Hamlet national tour has opened in Truro before travelling to theatres across England.

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