January 1
The Liverpool Shakespeare Festival
‘WE ARE YET BUT YOUNG IN DEED’
The Liverpool Shakspeare Festival was formed as a charity to create a new theatre company with a clear artistic vision and a sense of local identity. The charity’s aim was to present Shakespeare to a 21st century audience.
The artistic goal was simple: to tell good stories well. Clear verse-speaking, dynamic storytelling and innovative design were to characterise the productions. The aspiration to reawaken that sense of wonder experienced when read to as a child before learning to ‘grow up’ and live sensibly in ‘the real world’. Through the power of imagination the audience was encouraged to suspend its disbelief and become part of the storytelling experience.
A good theatre can be defined as a point of balance between the imagination and discipline. It is only when this balance is found that any performance can really sing and resonate with its audience. This balance was sought in every aspect of The Charity’s work.
Another aim was to strengthen Liverpool’s cultural profile by providing work and opportunities for emergent local talent by working closely with The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA).
To celebrate Liverpool being crowned ‘Capital of Culture’ 2008 The Liverpool Shakepeare Festival presented a production of ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’