ShakeSphere 2026 Selection !
The European Shakespeare Festivals Network (ESFN) is delighted to announce that the selected project for ShakeSphere 2026 is Petty Men, produced by Buzz Studios (UK).
ShakeSphere is an international initiative inviting innovative, small-scale Shakespeare-related productions to tour member festivals throughout the year. Now in its fifth year, the award has helped artists develop major European tours and forge lasting collaborations with presenting festivals. All submitted works must feature a touring party of no more than five people (including at least two actors) and travel with their production in no more than two suitcases. This year, ESFN received over 40 proposals from around the world.
“We are very pleased to announce Petty Men as this year’s selection. Its exploration of both the world of Julius Caesar and the inner life of the understudy, combined with inclusive elements of text and image to enhance accessibility, placed this show at the forefront of a very strong and diverse field of proposals. We are confident that other shortlisted productions will also find their way to our festivals over time,”
said Philip Parr, Chair of ESFN and Director of the York International Shakespeare Festival.
Adam Goodbody from Buzz Studios added:
“We are absolutely thrilled to be chosen as the 2026 ShakeSphere selection. Touring Petty Men to such beautiful festivals across Europe fulfills Buzz Goodbody’s original vision of making Shakespeare accessible to all. Inspired by Julius Caesar, Petty Men is also a celebration of the joy of making live theatre. We look forward to meeting other brilliant companies and contributing to the enduring memory of one of history’s greatest playwrights.”
Petty Men will tour the following International Shakespeare Festivals from April to August 2026:
- York (UK)
- Neuss (Germany)
- Craiova (Romania)
- Verona (Italy)
- Ostrava (Czechia)
- Gdańsk (Poland)
The European Shakespeare Festivals Network brings together 15 member festivals from across the continent.
