Shakesphere Call 2025

 

The European Shakespeare Festivals Network (ESFN) connects leading Shakespeare festivals across Europe, creating a platform for collaboration and innovation in the interpretation and performance of Shakespeare’s works. With an international perspective, ESFN supports creative exchanges, fosters partnerships, and promotes bold new visions of the Bard’s legacy.

Our Mission
ESFN is dedicated to encouraging collaboration among festivals and creating opportunities for theatre and performance makers who engage with Shakespeare’s texts in innovative ways. By building bridges across borders, ESFN aims to redefine Shakespeare’s relevance in contemporary culture.

Annual Production Competition
Since 2022, ESFN has hosted an annual competition for small-scale productions, open to theatre creators worldwide. The selected production is invited to perform at member festivals throughout the artistic season, offering a unique platform for global talent and new approaches to Shakespeare.

Past Winners
Each year, the competition celebrates bold and original interpretations of Shakespeare:

Romeo and Juliet and Other Catastrophic Love Affairs (Norway/Poland) – 2022
The Tragedy of Macbeth (UK) – 2023
Hamlet Double Bill (Italy/UK) – 2024

Coming this season 

Learlike (Belgium/Netherlands/Scotland/Poland/Norway) – 2025

Looking Ahead
The 2025 competition call is now closed, and the selected production will be featured at member festivals in the upcoming season. Details about the 2026 competition will be announced soon.

For more information about our work, festivals, and upcoming calls, stay connected with ESFN