01/07/2008
Shakespeare celebration
Liverpool is gearing up for a mass celebration of the world's most famous playwright.
Between July 5 and 7, venues across Liverpool will host dozens of free 45-minute Shakespeare performances as part of the Shakespeare in the City festival. All of the abridged shows are created and performed by young people aged between 16 and 21 years old.
Venues include: Liverpool One, the Walker Art Gallery, Merseyside Maritime Museum, World Museum Liverpool, St George's Hall, LIPA (Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts), Crosby Beach, St Luke's Church (the bombed out church), and the Cavern. A full performance schedule is available at www.ssf.uk.com/shakespeareinthecity or from the 08 Place in Whitechapel.
The festival will also include some light relief for patients at Aintree Hospital, who can enjoy a specially-developed show entitled 'Shakespeare on the Wards' on Sunday, July 6. Meanwhile, families are being offered a fun introduction to the Bard with the 'Shakespeare Unmasked' workshop at the Contemporary Urban Centre on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July. The festival will also feature a series of short cameo performances, giving people the chance to experience at 15-minute Shakespeare taster.
A total of 32 youth theatre groups will be taking part in Shakespeare in the City, including 26 groups from outside of Liverpool. All were selected during the national Shakespeare Youth Festival earlier in the year.
Councillor Warren Bradley, leader of Liverpool city council and deputy chair of the Liverpool Culture Company, said: "This event is a great opportunity to experience really high-quality Shakespeare performances at some of the city's best-known landmarks.
"We're looking forward to welcoming the visiting youth groups to Liverpool, as well as enjoying our own home-grown talent.
"It's shaping up to be a fantastic weekend and with so much free activity on offer there's really no excuse to miss out, so get out there and soak up some Shakespeare!"
Chris Grace, director, Shakespeare Schools Festival, said: "What thrills me most of all about this unique festival is how people of all ages from all over the UK have been inspired to harness their creative energies in the celebration of Shakespeare."
Organisers are encouraging people to get into the Shakespearean mood by downloading a special mask to wear at performances. The mask is available from www.ssf.uk.com/shakespeareinthecity.
Shakespeare in the City is the last of three Shakespeare events for young people taking place as part of Liverpool's European Capital of Culture programme. The first, Shakespeare Youth Festival took place between March 15 and 20, followed by Shakespeare 24 on April 23.
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