RSC to stage 'cutting edge play' to end anniversary year

"The finale of the year is this extraordinary production, I think, of The Tempest," Mr Doran said.

"This is the production in which you will see the ship sink, Ariel fly, Juno in the mask arrive on her chariot drawn with peacocks. It's a very, very new innovative technique.

"Shakespeare was doing this in 1610, looking at the Jacobean mask tradition which had spectacular effecst, which had extraordinary lighting effects and stage scenery, and we're looking at what The Tempest will be like using cutting edge, 21st century technology."

Mr Doran also spoke about the Shakespeare Show - the highlight of this year's Birthday Weekend celebrations.

He said it would be "a great variety bill, including opera jazz, hip-hop, comedy, tragedy and ballet, as well as some Shakespeare bits".

It will be hosted by David Tennant and star, who Mr Doran described as the usual suspects - the likes of Dame Judi Dench, Sir Kenneth Branagh and Sir Ian McKellen, as well as some surprising people, with Mr Doran confirming Rufus Wainwright would be singing Shakespeare sonnets.