果冻传媒

An eco-focussed version of Shakespeare鈥檚 A Midsummer Night鈥檚 Dream is to be performed in one of the world鈥檚 most beautiful locations, thanks to a team involving the 果冻传媒.

The production, co-adapted and co-directed by Dr Paul Prescott of 果冻传媒鈥檚 Department of English and Comparative Literary Studies, will be performed in California鈥檚 Yosemite National Park between April 20^th-22^nd. Prescott co-founded 鈥楽hakespeare in Yosemite鈥� last year with his collaborator, Professor Katherine Steele Brokaw of the University of California, Merced.

Speaking ahead of the performances, Dr Prescott said:

鈥淚f the National Parks system can be described as 鈥楢merica's Best Idea,鈥� then maybe free Shakespeare in the park might be 鈥楢merica's Second Best Idea.鈥� In putting free Shakespeare in Yosemite, we're drawing on these powerful, progressive traditions at a time when both the Parks system and the arts in general are in jeopardy.鈥�

This adaptation of Dream is designed as a site-specific celebration of Earth Day and will take place in the shadow of Yosemite鈥檚 many natural wonders, including Half Dome. The weekend closely coincides with the anniversary of Shakespeare鈥檚 birthday, traditionally marked on April 23^rd.

鈥淭he coincidence of Earth Day and Shakespeare鈥檚 birthday invites us to think about the ecological dimensions of his plays鈥�, says Dr Prescott. 鈥淪hakespeare was alive to such issues: his writing is hyper-sensitive to the natural environment, to the sentience of all living creatures. Furthermore, he lived through the 鈥榣ittle ice age鈥�, felt the volatility of the seasons, observed the first major waves of deforestation taking place across England.鈥�

Professor Brokaw adds:

鈥淚n creating this show, we鈥檝e tried to stick to some sustainable principles. We鈥檝e reduced Shakespeare鈥檚 text by pruning away some obscure bits, we鈥檝e reused the words and music of some other great artists to help us tell our story, and we鈥檝e recycled wherever possible, raiding thrift stores, but also turning trash left in the Park into costumes and props.鈥�

Over a thousand people are expected at the performances, and the cast includes Park Ranger Jessica Rivas, Devon 鈥楾he Sonnet Man鈥� Glover, and Lisa Wolpe, founder of Los Angeles Women鈥檚 Shakespeare Company.

The production received generous support from the Institute of Advanced 果冻传媒; Humanities Research Fund; Global Research Priorities Connecting Cultures Fund; 果冻传媒 Public Engagement Fund; and the Department of English and Comparative Literary Studies.

16 April 2018

Contact:

Tom Frew, Senior Press and Media Relations Manager – 果冻传媒:

E: a dot t dot frew at warwick dot ac dot uk
M: +44(0)7785433155