Introduction

Born on the 7^th June 1943 in Cambridge to a Scottish mother and a Welsh father, Michael Pennington grew up in St. John’s Wood, London. During the time he was reading English at Cambridge (1961-1964) he continually appeared with the National Youth Theatre and all University Dramatic Societies. It was here that he was to first play Hamlet in 1964 and also Troilus. Joining the RSC from University he played small parts in ‘The Wars of the Roses’ cycle (‘Henry VI’, ‘Edward IV’ and ‘Richard III’) His first ‘named’ parts being Mathias in Marlowe’s ‘The Jew of Malta’, Fortinbras in ‘Hamlet’, Titus in ‘Timon of Athens’ (little knowing that he would be the next actor to play the title role on the main Stratford stage!) and Dumaine in ‘Love’s Labours Lost’.

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Click on Career for details of Michael’s work to date. I don’t guarantee that this is a comprehensive list – so if you know something I don’t, please contact me and let me know!

For a list of Shakespeare productions in which Michael has appeared click here. In 2006 Michael put together a one-one show called ‘Sweet William’. It premiered at the Chester Literature Festival in October 2006 and has been touring extensively since then. In connection with Shakespeare the Royal Shakespeare company issued a press release on 3^rd March 2008 launching a new manifesto for Shakespeare in schools. The Guardian newspaper asked Michael to respond to this. To read the RSC press release, check out their web site on http://www.rsc.org.uk/press, and to read Michael’s response check on http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/theatre. As I’m not sure how long these will appear on the relevant sites, I will type out Michael’s response on the Articles page.

For details of Michael’s one-man show Anton Chekhov and Chekhov related items click here

If you want to check out Reviews on Michael’s work or Articles written by or about him, click on the relevant heading. This link also includes Interviews.

On the 23^rd April 2004 Michael gave the Shakespeare Lecture at the British Academy in London. Since its inception in 1910 this is the first time an actor has been asked to give this Lecture!! Click here for an abstract and I see from the British Academy’s web site that at some later date it might be published on the site.

On the 22^nd February 2005 year Michael (as part of a panel from the West Yorkshire Playhouse) gave evidence to a select committee of the House of Commons on public subsidy for British Theatre. The Report was published on the 15^th March 2005. You can find a summary on The British Theatre Guide web site: http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/articles/270305.htm and also read the full report on the Government web site: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmcumeds/254/25402.htm. I haven’t checked through the whole report, but have found Michael quoted in the section headed ‘Supporting theatre’ sub-section ‘ The Case for subsidy’.

I’ve also added a few Links that might be of interest. I have also added a link on the Shakespeare Productions page to enable an easy access to the photographs the RSC have on their database for several of Michael’s performances.

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