Liverpool stages an annual Shakespeare Festival. This year (25 August to 10 September) the Lodestar Theatre Company is presenting Romeo and Juliet at St. George’s Hall, Liverpool. This play was chosen to show the “tragic consequences of a city’s troubles and divisions” and is set in 19th century Liverpool. Considering the recent events in various UK cities, including Liverpool, Shakespeare’s play is even more apt than the organisers could have imagined when they decided on its production.
On the last night of the festival, 11 September, there will be a special performance: 25 theatre companies from around the country will each prepare a randomly selected scene from Richard III in the style of their choice. These scenes are then brought together in one performance. According to the official announcement there will be “100 terrified performers. 3 evil judges. Not a single rehearsal.” No wonder that the organisers call it “Shakespeare with no holds Bard.”
Each of the participating companies will be bringing a different style and technique to the play with the aim to “celebrate the diversity of approach both here and nationally.”
The variety of different perceptions of Shakespeare’s play Richard III is appropriate also when we regard the variety of perceptions of the historical man, from saint to absolute villain and anything in between.
Sources:
Official page of the Liverpool Shakespeare Festival 2011: http://www.liverpoolshakespearefestival.com/#!richard-iii Date accessed: 2 September 2011
Tina Miles, ‘Merseyside theatregoers set to raise money for ECHO charity Liverpool Unites’, Liverpool Echo (31 August 2011). URL: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2011/08/31/merseyside-theatregoers-set-to-raise-money-for-echo-charity-liverpool-unites-100252-29332122/ Date accessed: 1 September 2011
‘Liverpool Shakespeare Festival’, My Echo – Liverpool Unites. URL: http://myecho.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-shakespeare-festival/ Date accessed: 2 September 2011
Tags: Richard III, Shakespeare
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