Posted on: 21 May 2010
The works of William Shakespeare will take centre stage in Dublin city centre next month during the Trinity College Dublin Shakespeare Festival which will run from 7th to 12th June next. This year the event, which is organised by the Dublin University Players, will see over 45 free performances around the city in various locations such as St Stephens Green, the Irish Botanical Gardens and Christchurch Cathedral with a headline act each night in the Front Square of TCD.
Alongside one-off performances, lectures, comedic performances and live music, a feature of the week is the community outreach programme. Performers from both Ireland and abroad will actively participate in this initiative that will see both live performances and interactive workshops take place in 12 Dublin schools with the aim of bringing Shakespeare back into the classroom.
Ryan Tubridy along with several performers officially launch the upcoming Trinity College Shakespeare Festival.
At the launch event held recently in TCD, festival director Matthew Smyth said: “This festival gives people an opportunity to go out and see a Shakespeare play on their lunch break in the park, as they’re strolling home through Grafton Street, alongside the Customs House or even on their front porch. It’s this idea of accessibility that we hope will create an exciting atmosphere and a vibrant mood around the city.”
This year marks the second Trinity College Shakespeare Festival which is funded through the Trinity College Visual and Performing Arts Fund. The schedule for the week includes hourly one-off performances between 12pm – 5pm at Christchurch Cathedral. Each evening the GB Theatre Company will perform their production of As You Like It which will take place in a specially constructed 275 seat outdoor arena in the Front Square of Trinity College. A full programme of events is available on the festival website, www.dublinshakespeare.com.
