Kilkenny Arts Festival to bring Shakespeare’s Globe to Ireland August 10-19, 2012

All the world’s a stage….

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre to make first ever visit to Ireland with “As You Like It”. 

The phrase “too much of a good thing” originated in Shakespeare’s romantic comedy As You Like It and that’s just what Kilkenny Arts Festival audiences will have this summer, when the Festival welcomes Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre to Ireland for the first time. Tickets go on sale today.
 
The beautiful medieval city of Kilkenny is the perfect place for Shakespeare’s Globe to tour this lively outdoor production to Ireland. Using an Elizabethan-inspired stage, the production will be influenced by paintings and etchings from Shakespeare’s time, and be performed in the courtyard of the Crafts Council of Ireland (the original stables for Kilkenny Castle) in Castle Yard, Kilkenny.
 
Every year, for 10 days in August, Kilkenny comes alive with a feast of artistic entertainment. Kilkenny Arts Festival is Ireland’s oldest arts Festival, a premier arts event that constantly programmes innovative and spectacular cultural events from Ireland and the world. “We’re thrilled to be bringing Shakespeare’s Globe to Ireland for the first time, “ said Artistic Director Rosemary Collier. “the Festival is about bringing the most innovative and dynamic cultural events to the city, and the Globe certainly fit the bill.”
 
As You Like It is a glorious romance; filled with cross-dressing and love-notes; poetry and brilliant conversation; gentle satire, slapstick and passion. The Irish performances will be part of a European tour which opens on July 5, and tours venues in the UK, Romania, Austria and Denmark before finishing at the Globe on 16 September. A young vibrant UK cast of 8 and team of creatives will bring Shakespeare’s wonderful comedy to life.
 
Shakespeare’s Globe Artistic Director – Dominic Dromgoole
Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe, Dominic Dromgoole is no stranger to Irish theatre, having directed plays in London by Irish writers Sebastian Barry, Conor McPherson and Billy Roche in his career. He said today,”It is an honour to be bringing a Globe production to Ireland. Having worked in Ireland many times, premiered the plays of talented Irish writers, and having worked with many Irish actors, it is a particular pleasure to be bringing Shakespeare’s Globe to Ireland for the first time, thus uniting two of my greatest passions, the Irish theatre and Shakespeare.”
 
Director – James Dacre
James Dacre directs this production. His world premiere production of The Mountaintop (Theatre503 and Trafalgar Studios) won the 2010 Olivier Award for Best New Play and was nominated for a further five awards. Precious Little Talent (Trafalgar Studios) won Best Play at the 2011 London Theatre Festival Awards.  James has directed world premieres by Mike Poulton, Torben Betts, Ella Hickson, Katori Hall, Dic Edwards, Suzan Lori Parks, Ed Kemp and Molly Davies.

Kilkenny Arts Festival – Further Highlights Announced

In addition to this major theatrical announcement, Kilkenny Arts Festival have announced 4 further Festival highlights which go on sale today:
Le Concert Spirituel (France) one of the world’s leading Baroque music ensembles.
La Morra (Switzerland) highly acclaimed Early Music group
Jape (Ireland) 2012 Choice Music Award Winners
Dán (Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, UK) A musical journey by a 14 member ensemble featuring trad, jazz and poems specially written by Theo Dorgan.
 
Shakespeare’s Globe Tickets
Tickets go ON SALE TODAY and can be booked through www.kilkennyarts.ie
Prices: €25, €22 (concession), with family ticket for €60 (2 adults/2 kids)
 
For Irish press enquiries about Shakespeare’s Globe in Ireland:
Christine Monk | christinemonk@eircom.net | 087 675 5329

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