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Royal Shakespeare Company extends reach across UK in 2025 Shakespeare Distillery launches their first cream liqueur Shakespeare Distillery has launched a Jester Rum Cream Liqueur, the first in an exciting new product range from the award-winning, Warwickshire independent spirit producer.
This first Chocolate Cream Liqueur is a collaboration with 1683 Chocolate Place, a local award-winning chocolatier, with whom Shakespeare Distillery has a longstanding relationship and who produce its outstanding artisan gin and rum chocolates. The Chocolate Cream Liqueur is a decadent blend of the Distillery’s Cask Aged Jester Rum, luxury Belgian chocolate and fresh local cream from Cotteswold Dairy. The rich flavours of cocoa and rum balance perfectly with subtle hints of vanilla and butterscotch. This new spirit is a whole new avenue for the artisan distillery and has required significant investment in new machinery and equipment. In a departure from their existing clear bottles, the team have also sourced new ceramic bottles to evoke the traditional look of a cream liqueur. Shakespeare Distillery is no stranger to experimentation and developing new spirits from scratch, having launched its British Jester Rum in 2021. Jester White Rum, awarded an IWSC Silver badge, has since been aged for three years in ex-industry casks and the team released the first of their long-awaited ‘Jester’ Cask Aged Rums in December 2023. Their new Chocolate Cream Liqueur is made using Jester Rum aged in a Wild Turkey Bourbon cask. Simon Picken, Director at Shakespeare Distillery, said: “We’re thrilled to launch our new Cream Liqueur, the first of many we have planned. Rum and chocolate are an ideal pairing and so for us, a Chocolate Cream Liqueur was the obvious first choice in this new range. It’s been fantastic working with Joe Vaughan at 1683 Chocolate Place, a fellow award-winning craftsman who really understands our requirements and flavour profiles. Together we’ve created a truly special, high-quality Chocolate Cream Liqueur which is sure to be incredibly popular with our customers.” The team suggests serving the cream liqueur neat over ice, in a hot chocolate or poured over a favourite ice cream. Launched ready for the upcoming festive period, it is available in a 50cl bottle and retails at £30. It can be purchased online at https://shakespearedistillery.com/product/ chocolate-cream-liqueur/, at the distillery shop or from the shop at No 1 High Street, Stratford-upon-Avon. Shakespeare Distillery was founded in 2015 by Simon Picken and Peter Monks and is Stratford-upon-Avon's only working distillery. The Distillery also provides daily tours and other experiences including Gin and Rum Schools, Cocktail Masterclasses and River Avon Gin Tasting Cruises. http://www.shakespearedistillery.com/
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Thousands of families, young people, teachers and communities will see the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) perform in their town or city next year as two productions – Matilda The Musical and an 80-minute version of The Tempest – tour the country. The company has also announced that schools will be able to sign up for on-demand access to its critically acclaimed 2024 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream for one week in February 2025. Bringing Shakespeare’s magical play into school halls, theatres and town halls across England, First Encounters: The Tempest is a fresh, abridged take on Shakespeare’s original text aimed at younger audiences aged 7-13 and those seeing Shakespeare for the first time. The creative team includes Aaron Parsons (Director and Movement), Aldo Vázquez (Set and Costume Designer) and Jack Drewry (Composer and Sound Designer). A team of RSC practitioners will also work with young people in the lead up to the tour to create special soundscapes to underscore the production. Opening in Leamington Spa on February 4, the show will travel to RSC partner schools and theatres
across the country, finishing in Northampton on May 10. The tour is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. From February 3, thousands more pupils can get their first taste of Shakespeare and live theatre when schools will have on-demand access to A Midsummer Night’s Dream as part of the RSC’s free Schools’ Broadcast Programme. Eleanor Rhode’s 5-star 2024 production with Mathew Baynton as Bottom delighted audiences when it opened in Stratford-upon-Avon earlier this year and is set to enjoy a short run at the Barbican theatre in London this winter. The creative team includes Lucy Osborne (Set and Design) John Bulleid (Illusion Director and Designer), Matt Daw (Lighting Designer) Will Gregory (Composer) Pete Malkin (Sound Designer), Annie-Lunnette DeakinFoster (Movement Director), Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown (Fight and Intimacy Directors). Also announced today, audiences around the country will get the chance to see the second major UK and Ireland tour of the RSC’s multi award-winning Matilda The
Musical, opening in Leicester on October 6, 2025. Based on Roald Dahl’s best-selling novel with literacy and books at its heart, the show has already been seen by 12 million people across 100 cities worldwide. The musical will celebrate 15 years on stage when it opens at Leicester Curve. It will then travel to Bradford, Liverpool, Plymouth, Sunderland, Edinburgh, and Manchester. Written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and developed and directed by Matthew Warchus, the production is designed by Rob Howell, with
choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and special effects and illusions by Paul Kieve. For further information on the shows, visit https://www.rsc.org. uk/first-encounters-the-tempest or https://uk.matildathemusical. com/, and to learn more about the schools programme, see https:// www.rsc.org.uk/learn/schoolsand-teachers/live-lessons-andonline-performances/schoolsbroadcasts
Charity celebrates its recognition at the Charity Today Awards SOS Silence of Suicide has been awarded the prestigious Charity Today Mental Health Impact Award during a ceremony at the Orton Hall Hotel and Spa in Peterborough. The award recognises the charity’s unwavering commitment to supporting individuals affected by suicidal thoughts and mental health challenges. As a charity, they understand that the journey to mental wellness can be challenging and they are devoted to providing essential resources and unwavering support to those in need. The charity provides group emotional support sessions, a freephone helpline and wellbeing mobile hubs. Breaking the Stigma,
Silence, and Shame is their ongoing campaign to break the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health issues which has led to increased awareness and open dialogue within communities. Yvette Greenway-Mansfield, CEO of SOS Silence of Suicide, said: “We are deeply honoured to receive the Charity Today Mental Health Impact Award. “This recognition extends beyond our organisation; it represents the countless lives we strive to uplift daily. Each call we answer and every story we hear reminds us that there is hope, even in the darkest moments. We believe that no one should ever feel alone in their pain. Together, we are not just breaking the silence surrounding suicide; we
are fostering a community of compassion, understanding, and love where healing can truly begin.” For more information about services or to get involved, visit sossilenceofsuicide.org or email: contact@sossilenceofsuicide.org
Shakespeare Martineau expands healthcare expertise with six-member team As part of its growth strategy, full-service law firm Shakespeare Martineau has significantly bolstered its healthcare offering by bringing in a team of six experienced legal professionals. Comprising three Partners, two Associates and a Solicitor, the team has joined the firm from Knights and specialises in corporate transactions in various healthcare sectors – bringing a collective 59 years’ experience to enhance the firm’s capacity to deliver comprehensive legal support to the industry. Leading the team are Partners Jonathan Tyson and Gemma Tyson, who bring a wealth of experience in handling transactions in areas including dental, pharmacy, opticians, children's nurseries and veterinary practices. They will be supported by Partner
Katie Taken; Associates Jonathan Hill and Louise McDonald; and solicitor Stena Rham. Gemma said: “Shakespeare Martineau’s healthcare team is already very successful and highly regarded, and we believe that
together, we will become greater than the sum of our parts. The firm’s great reputation, loyal people and ambitious growth plans were significant factors in our decision to join. “Being part of Shakespeare Martineau will give us the support and platform we need to truly focus on the healthcare sector, expand our expertise and specialisms, and provide a consistent high-quality service to our clients.” Joseph Soul, Partner and Head of Shakespeare Martineau’s commercial property and development team, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Jonathan, Gemma, Katie, Jonathan, Louise and Stena to the firm. Their recruitment has been part of a long-standing strategy to enhance our existing healthcare offering and develop a national platform.”
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