Over 800 Shakespeare scholars from more than 48 countries including Indiawill gather in Stratford Upon-Avon and London for the 10th World Shakespeare Congress from July 31 to explore and honour the Bard's work some 400 years after his death.
The Congress, will take place from July 31 to August 6 in Stratford. Plenaries featuring leading writers, theatre practitioners and critics along with seminars and workshops will be divided evenly across the both venues.
"In both locations, the 2016 Congress will offer unequalled opportunities to engage with the current state of play in Shakespearean criticism, pedagogy, theatre history and performance studies, and to connect with Shakespeareans from across the globe," the organisers said in a release today.
It is the first time the event has been co-hosted in two locations that were integral to both the personal and working life of William Shakespeare.
With an overarching theme of 'Creating and Recreating Shakespeare', the Congress will look at the continuing global relevance of Shakespeare's work through a varied programme of lectures, seminars and workshops.
Shakespeareans from around the world, including the US, Canada, New Zealand, Malaysia, Brazil, UAE, Egypt, France, Australia, Japan, China, Italy, Singapore, South Africa, Mauritius, Portugal and India, will take part in seminars and panel discussions, exploring different aspects of the Bard's work and the global cultural legacy he continues to have around the world.
Speakers at the 2016 World Shakespeare Congress include internationally renowned actor Adrian Lester. He will discuss his early exposure to Shakespeare and his recent performance as Othello at the National Theatre, as well as his ability to move between big-budget films and small scale live performances.
Booker Prize-winning novelist Howard Jacobson will be discussing his novelistic adaptation of The Merchant of Venice and the role Shakespeare played in the history and form of the novel.
Gregory Doran, artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, will be in session exploring the company's artistic life and history.
Shakespeare's Globe's Founding Director of Theatre Music, Claire van Kampen will be joined on stage by Bill Barclay, Globe Director of Music and an ensemble of early music players.
The Congress is co-hosted in Stratford by the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, and the Shakespeare Institute, of the University of Birmingham.
In London, Shakespeare's Globe and the London Shakespeare Centre, at King's College London play host to the international delegation.
