400 Years with art thou
400 years after the death of William Shakespeare we mark our generation’s centennial connection with one of theatre and literatures largest influences.
Shakespeare has been immersed in many aspect of our lives and culture. Over the past 452 years we have seen his work take hold in a way no other artist has ever really equaled. Shakespeare’s creations are constantly reimagined and reignited, bringing those stories we love with his understanding of life throughout generations to every era.
This year marks the 400th year anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. Which gives the team behind the project Shakespeare400 an opportunity to expose this generation to fresh interpretations of work such as Hamlet, King Lear, A Midsummers Night Dream and Tempest – which is just to name a few.
The highlight of this year’s season is the World Shakespeare Congress, the only internationally recognised Shakespeare event where performers, directors, lectures and fans come together to discuss all things Shakespearian. “The World Shakespeare Congress is a Shakespeare Olympiad, held every five years in different locations around the world. This year, to mark the 400thanniversary of Shakespeare’s death, the congress comes to Stratford - Upon - Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, and to London, his workplace.” explains Patrick Spottiswoode, Director of the Globe Education Division at the Shakespeare Globe Theatre.
“The theme of this year’s World Shakespeare Congress is ‘Creating and Recreating Shakespeare.’ Our aim isn’t to try to unearth new information about Shakespeare’s life, but rather to acknowledge and explore the countless ways in which Shakespeare continues to be new born through the arts of reading, performance and scholarship.” Spottiswoode continues.
During the week of the congress over 800 hundred Shakespearian lectures and historians as well as many other fans will travel between Stratford - Upon - Avon and London to share and learn about how different countries and cultures connect with the works of Shakespeare.
“Shakespeare’s adapting stories from around the world. He was taking Italian stories, French stories, Spanish stories and was reimagining them for his moment. Which makes sense for one example of why they are so available for later reimagining because they are the stuff of reimagining.” Said: Professor Gordon MacMillian, Director London Shakespeare Centre, Kings College London and Head of the Shakespeare 400 committee.
“There is no single central government sponsored 2016 organisation, it was fragmented, there is stuff happening in Stratford - Upon - Avon, British council has events in various locations, Ireland and around the world. It is all very fragmented and you could argue that is entirely, in keeping with the current state of the United Kingdom. Look at Brexit, look at the Scottish referendum look at the world. So it seems to me that when you look back at Shakespeare centennial because of Shakespeare’s cultural centrality you get a snapshot at the state of the nation, or the state of the world. The fractured state of this, is in fact indicative of the state of the world.” Professor Gordon explains.
Despite how the world has changed from the time Shakespeare once roamed the streets of London, his impact and his artistry are just as clear and deeply felt as it was over 400 years ago. The way we understand Shakespeare and the way we relate his works to our present time will perhaps give generations to come an interesting glimpse into how we see things in our lives, and go on to inspire for many decades to come.
Shakespeare Events:
Although the World Shakespeare Congress is in full swing, there are still a many events around London and Stratford- Upon- Avon that are available to the public. Check out the list below for a few ways to get involved with this once in a lifetime celebration, the quarter-centennial Shakespeare festival.
Windsor Expositions: Shakespeare in the Royal Library
13 Feb 2016 - Sunday, 11 Dec 2016
Adult £20.00
www.royalcollection.org.uk
‘Marking the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare, this display draws on material in the Royal Library, including works of Shakespeare collected by the royal family, accounts of performances at Windsor Castle, and art by members of the royal family inspired by Shakespeare's plays.’ Sophie Lawrenson, Press Officer at the Royal Collection Trust
British Library: Shakespeare in Ten Acts
15 April – 6 September 2016
Adult £12.00
‘Shakespeare in Ten Acts, looks at how Shakespeare became ‘the Bard’ by focusing on ten key performances. These ‘Ten Acts’ are not necessarily the most famous performances, but moments in history which changed the course of Shakespeare’s legacy, from the first performance of Hamlet at the Globe in around 1600 to a radical reinterpretation of the same play for the digital age from US theatre group The Wooster Group in 2013.’ Elsie King, Media Manager, British Library.
King Lear by the Royal Shakespeare Theatre - broadcast live
12 October at 7.00pm
www.rsc.org.uk/king-lear/in-cinemas
Antony Sher plays King Lear, in a production created by the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Several theatres around the country will be streaming the production live on their screen. Tickets and locations are available via the link above.
The Shakespeare Congress
31 July- 6 August 2016
www.shakespeare400.org
The 2016 Shakespeare Congress has a large events listing of all affiliated events, plays, talks, expositions and more going on until the end of this year.
The World Shakespeare Congress
www.wsc2016.info
The World Shakespeare Congress is the official committee in charge of arranging World Shakespeare Congress. The Congress takes places every five years in locations around the world.