Liverpool Shakespeare Festival

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The Liverpool Shakespeare Festival is an annual celebration of the works of William Shakespeare produced by the Lodestar Theatre Company. Originally centered on Liverpool Cathedral, each summer sees different plays performed in various exciting venues - some by the festival's organisers and others by visiting companies.

William Shakespeare English playwright and poet

William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon". His extant works, including collaborations, consist of approximately 39 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.

Liverpool Cathedral Church in Liverpool, United Kingdom

Liverpool Cathedral is the Church of England Cathedral of the Diocese of Liverpool, built on St James's Mount in Liverpool and is the seat of the Bishop of Liverpool. It may be referred to as the Cathedral Church of Christ in Liverpool or the Cathedral Church of the Risen Christ, Liverpool, being dedicated to Christ 'in especial remembrance of his most glorious Resurrection'. Liverpool Cathedral is the largest cathedral and religious building in Britain.

Contents

Festival history

2007

The festival's first production, Macbeth , played from the 16 August to the 8 September 2007. The first half was staged inside Liverpool Catholic Cathedral, the second half in St James Cemetery. The production was very well received, the cast and direction lauded by most critics, [1] [2] although the production received some criticism as a result of the Cathedral's disadvantageous acoustics). [3]

<i>Macbeth</i> play by William Shakespeare

Macbeth is a tragedy by William Shakespeare; it is thought to have been first performed in 1606. It dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those who seek power for its own sake. Of all the plays that Shakespeare wrote during the reign of James I, who was patron of Shakespeare's acting company, Macbeth most clearly reflects the playwright's relationship with his sovereign. It was first published in the Folio of 1623, possibly from a prompt book, and is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy.

St James Cemetery Grade I listed cemetery in Liverpool, United Kingdom

St James's Cemetery is an urban park behind Liverpool Cathedral that is below ground level. Until 1825, the space was a stone quarry, and until 1936 it was used as the Liverpool city cemetery. It has been designated a Grade I Historic Park by Historic England.

2008

To coincide with Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture, 2008's festival is broader than previously. On their first visit to Liverpool, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre's perform The Winter's Tale in Liverpool Cathedral and St James Cemetery in August. The festival also includes open air cinema nights and of course, the main event: Lodestar's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream , performed from 13 August to 7 September [4] entirely within St. James' Cemetery.

European Capital of Culture cities recognized by the European Union as culturally significant for Europe

The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union (EU) for a period of one calendar year during which it organises a series of cultural events with a strong pan-European dimension.

Shakespeares Globe modern reconstruction of the Globe Theatre

Shakespeare's Globe is the complex housing a reconstruction of the Globe Theatre, an Elizabethan playhouse associated with William Shakespeare, in the London Borough of Southwark, on the south bank of the River Thames. The original theatre was built in 1599, destroyed by fire in 1613, rebuilt in 1614, and then demolished in 1644. The modern Globe Theatre reconstruction is an academic approximation based on available evidence of the 1599 and 1614 buildings. It is considered quite realistic, though contemporary safety requirements mean that it accommodates only 1,400 spectators compared to the original theatre’s 3,000.

<i>The Winters Tale</i> play by Shakespeare

The Winter's Tale is a play by William Shakespeare originally published in the First Folio of 1623. Although it was grouped among the comedies, some modern editors have relabelled the play as one of Shakespeare's late romances. Some critics consider it to be one of Shakespeare's "problem plays" because the first three acts are filled with intense psychological drama, while the last two acts are comedic and supply a happy ending.

The production received excellent reviews: 'Wonderful. . .outstanding . . .faultless!' (Liverpool Confidential) "a group that has seemed to gel incredibly well to produce a fantastic ensemble piece". [5]

2009

In 2009, Lodestar presented a double bill: Hamlet at St George's Hall, Liverpool, and Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard at Novas Contemporary Urban Centre. Both plays were, for the first time in U.K., performed by the same company of actors and the festival won a Liverpool Daily Post Arts award.

<i>Hamlet</i> tragedy by William Shakespeare

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, often shortened to Hamlet, is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1602. Set in Denmark, the play depicts Prince Hamlet and his revenge against his uncle, Claudius, who has murdered Hamlet's father in order to seize his throne and marry Hamlet's mother.

The Liverpool Post was a newspaper published by Trinity Mirror in Liverpool, Merseyside, England. The newspaper and its website ceased publication on 19 December 2013.

2010

The 2010 festival was postponed due to a lack of confirmed funding. But returned in 2011 with the planned production of Romeo & Juliet at St George's Hall.

2011

The Liverpool Shakespeare Festival returns! In 2011, events will include a new production of Romeo & Juliet, Three community-led pieces created by 150 local residents with professional artists, and a theatrical experiment: 'Come and have a go if you think you're BARD enough' in which 100 actors will do battle in a unique production of 'Richard 3'.

Performances take place in the concert rooms at St George's Hall, Liverpool between 25 August - 11 September.

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References

  1. ↑ Theatre Review: Macbeth, Liverpool Cathedral Liverpool Daily Post.co.uk (2007)
  2. ↑ Macbeth @ Anglican Cathedral BBC Law (2007)
  3. ↑ Macbeth LiverpoolConfidential.com (2007)
  4. ↑ Lodestar Theatre Company Company Site (2008)
  5. ↑ Liverpool Review (2008)
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