Two familiar faces will be taking the lead in a production of Shakespeare in Love at Harrogate Theatre.
Naail Ishaq will be playing the titular character, Will Shakespeare, in the Harrogate Dramatics Society production.
He will also this year be seen in the lead role in the theatre’s pantomime, Dick Whittington.
He said:
“Shakespeare in Love is a cracking story that’s come at a great time in my life, to play a writer, actor and poet, who’s becoming the man he’ll be remembered for, it’s quite exciting to be going through that stage of my life myself.”
Like his character in Shakespeare in Love, Naail is eager to share his writing, and the theatre and film projects he’s working on.
Beyond the stage, Naail has won an award for best comedy for the short film Bad Habits.
Naail is joined by Debbie Phillips, a professional actress and dancer. She has her own youth theatre, where she trains young actors, directors, writers and lighting technicians.
Debbie trained as a classical ballet dancer under Ballet Ireland and The English Youth Ballet, and has worked as a guest teacher and choreographer for the Regional Youth Ballet.
She has had the teaching from The Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Beyond the theatre, she is also familiar to many in Harrogate thanks to her job at independent bookshop Imagined Things.
Debbie is playing Viola, “the feisty, brilliant and beautiful” inspiration for Will Shakespeare. She said:
“Getting to move back into the spotlight has been a lot of fun and Shakespeare in Love has always been a favourite story of mine.
“Viola’s journey shows her growth from a young girl dreaming of adventures, to a daring wise woman fully aware of the price her dreams will cost.”
Shakespeare in Love will be in Harrogate Theatre from October 19 to 21. Tickets are available at the Harrogate Theatre box office online or over the phone on 01423 502116.
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