Some people still think Shakespeare is geeky. Some people still think Shakespeare is over-rated (and we haven’t quite decided if we’re in this category, to be fair), and some people just can’t get enough.
It doesn’t really matter which of these categories you fall into, because whatever your opinion, you can’t deny that the Bard is pretty persistent and really does get around – even the amazing Pre-Raphaelite art exhibition we mentioned in a previous blog post has a bit of the big man in it. So embrace one of the biggest names in the world (let alone in literature), and enjoy the World Shakespeare Festival 2012 – we promise, it’s got something for everyone, even if Shakespeare is a “brave new world” for you…
And Shakespeare even found his way into the opening and closing ceremonies at the Olympics.
You might’ve heard something about the World Shakespeare Festival – it’s been going on since April and will keep going til November, and is a worldwide of the most famous writer in history. This year we’re seeing the biggest celebration of Shakespeare ever staged, with nearly seventy different productions (not to mention exhibitions and events) all over the UK. There are over one million tickets on sale and a whole range of different takes on Shakespeare, from Julius Caesar set in Africa to modern adaptations – this is a phenomenally huge event, so be a part of it!
Some highlights:
Being a groundling at the Globe
Shakespeare loved to get the people involved – so be one of those people. It might seem like a bit of a push to stand for three hours, but the atmosphere is something else. Get in on your last chance to see Henry V.
Doing it differently
Julius Caesar set in Africa. We know people love to draw parallels and pull stuff out – of course Shakespeare didn’t write it with current affairs in mind (that would’ve been super impressive) – but this is still a pretty impressive reimagining. If you want something a bit more light-hearted, try a bit of Bollywood-style Much Ado About Nothing.
Those big names
All the best actors start off in the RSC, and every now and then they pop back and blow us away. See the award-winning Jonathan Pryce in King Lear.
Exploring the strange world of the 17th century – from bears to men playing women playing men…
You get a fair amount of this just from seeing a play. But maybe you’re not going to want to watch ten different Shakespeare plays just because there’s a festival on, and that’s okay too. Well, I say that’s okay – you definitely have to see at least one, but if you’re not feeling the theatre after that, drop in on the British Museum’s exhibition for an insight into Shakespeare’s world.
Pingback: The Big Draw 2012 - discover your inner artist