You are invited to participate in

SHAKESPEARE 24
Wednesday April 23rd, 2008 at 7pm (in your time zone)

Shakespeare 24 is a unique international performance opportunity in association with the British Council, Liverpool Capital of Culture 2008, ASSITEJ and iNET

www.ssf.uk.com/international

Shakespeare 24 is part of the European Capital of Culture 2008 celebrations and celebrates the theme 'The world in one city'. We are looking for youth group/school who might be keen to put on a 30 or 45 minute production? It could be a music, dance or drama performance, it could be a big or small show. We're keen to get young people interpreting Shakespeare for themselves so the production is ideally more about the journey and less about the quality of the show. If there are any students keen to improve their english too we're partnering some groups up to create a simple yet fun online global exchange too.

Further more we intend to repeat Shakespeare 24 on an ever increasing scale in the years leading up to the London Olympics 2012 to which groups will be invited to represent their country. It would be great to have China represented in this project so we can illustrate the Olympic journey from Beijing 2008 to London 2012 during our Cultural Olympiad.

Shakespeare 24 (S24) is an exciting worldwide Shakespeare performance event. Beginning in New Zealand and ending 24 hours later in Hawaii, youth groups will stage abridged plays at 7pm, local time on Shakespeare’s 444th birthday.

S24 is a unique international performance event; enabling a global celebration of youth, culture, creativity and Shakespeare. Open to every 11-21 year old worldwide, performances will take place in languages as diverse and varied as the participants themselves. Youth groups will produce their own interpretations of Shakespeare, which may include the use of local dance, music and performance art forms.  

S24 will enable all international groups to communicate online, in partnership with Facebook, the social networking website. The performance experience provides the ideal platform for an inclusive, cultural exchange. Groups will additionally have access to tailored online resources; abridged 30 and 45 minute scripts, downloadable posters and flyers and video workshops and interviews.

S24 is presented by the Shakespeare Schools Festival, the UK’s largest youth drama festival. Since 2000, we have created the opportunity for over 52,000 11-16 year olds, from diverse backgrounds, to perform Shakespeare in 180 local, professional theatres. S24 is a natural extension to our work and is supported by British Council, ASSITEJ and iNET and hosted by Liverpool European City of Culture 2008.  S24 will be be repeated on an ever increasing scale in the years leading up to the 2012 London Cultural Olympiad to which countries will be invited to be represented by a youth/school group.

Do Join Us!

Chris Grace
Festival Director
Shakespeare Schools Festival

For further details please call +44 207 785 6498 or email brek.taylor@ssf.uk.com

Shakespeare International is the new global arm of the Shakespeare Schools Festival; the UK’s largest youth drama festival encouraging 11-21 year olds to bring their interpretations of Shakespeare to the stage. For more information visit www.ssf.uk.com