The European Shakespeare Festivals Network is delighted to announce the inaugural selection for the Shakesphere project.
Shakesphere is an invitation to theatre makers from around the world to propose a small-scale production based on around any of the work of William Shakespeare, for presentation at member festivals.
We were very pleased to receive 42 excellent submissions, from 25 different countries, and across all the continents (except Australia and Antarctica, so that gives us something to work on in the future!)
The successful project this year is from Norway, and is titled, ROMEO AND JULIET and other catastrophic love affairs. Concept, text and direction are by Rolf Alme.
Announcing the result of the process, ESFN Chair Philip Parr said, ‘After a very close decision we have an exciting winner, who fulfils all the aspirations we had for this project – it is new and innovative cross artform work, combining theatre and visual art, which explores Shakespeare in our time and emphasises his enduring relevance. As well, through this process, we have connected to many exciting companies and artists who we didn’t previously know, and I am sure that there will be many conversations beginning with member festivals. Now I’m eagerly looking forward to the first performances of Rolf Alme’s work later this year, and to beginning to plan for Shakesphere 2023.’
In 2022, four festivals will host Romeo and Juliet and other catastrophic love affairs, Craiova (Romania), Itaka (Serbia), Gdansk (Poland), Hamletscenen (Denmark).