The York International Shakespeare Festival is back.
Ever since its inaugural festival in 2015, the York International Shakespeare Festival has showcased local adaptations of Shakespeare’s works alongside international interpretations – as well as making the bard more accessible.
It runs every two years and took place completely online in 2021 due to the pandemic. For 2023, the festival will run from Friday 21 April to Monday 1 May.
We’ve put together a guide to six unmissable events across the festival – including a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream from the Kyiv National Academic Molodyy Theatre and a comedy night inspired by the bard himself.
To find out more and to see the full programme of events, visit the York International Shakespeare Festival website.
Highlights
What is a European Shakespeare Festival?
Our seminar explores the dynamic role Shakespeare and his work play in intercultural celebration, mobility and mediation. From the aftermath of World War II until now, festivals have deployed Shakespeare as a model of inclusive theatre to provide alternative answers to Europe’s multi-faceted crises.
An hour long introduction to the role of Shakespeare in the world, with the opportunity for audience questions and discussion.
- Marriot Room, York Explore, York, YO1 7DS
- Mon 24 Apr
- 2pm
- Free but booking essential
- Book tickets
Shakespeare’s Fool
Will ‘Cavaliero’ Kempe was one of the finest performers of the Elizabethan age. Gentleman player, juggling jester, headmaster of Morris dancers and London’s finest clown, until…he fell out with Will ‘git-face’ Shakespeare.
Join ‘Cavaliero’ Kempe on the streets of London as he gives his final performance to an audience of a mouse and a marrote and tells the tale of his life, his rise to stardom and what really happened between him and William Shakespeare.
- Theatre@41, 41 Monkgate, York, YO31 7PB
- Tues 25 Apr
- 8pm
- £10
- Book tickets
The Tragedy of Macbeth
In this classic tale of greed and guilt, Flabbergast’s Macbeth fuses a rigorous and respectful approach to text and storytelling to bring a magical, lucid interpretation of Shakespeare’s blood-soaked tragedy to life.
Playing to their strengths and background in puppetry, clown, mask, ensemble and physical theatre, Flabbergast have developed their first text-based production to foster the bard’s original text accompanied by and supported with exhilarating live music to produce a provocative and enjoyably accessible show.
- York St John University Creative Arts Centre, York, YO31 7EX
- Wed 26 Apr
- 8pm
- £10, £5 concession
- Book tickets
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A Midsummer Night’s Dream
How does the well-known romantic comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” sound in the context of a Ukrainian traditional rite? Shakespeare’s play is seen as a one-of-a-kind ceremonial performance. In the words of a famous writer, we poetize traditional rituals.
In the global narrative, we locate the key to the national code and adapt it to the present. We establish parallels with our historical stories by changing the major characters from Greeks to Ukrainians.
At the same time, we leave the foundation to William Shakespeare, and the resulting blend appears current, natural, and unique. On stage, reality melts into legend.
- York St John University Creative Arts Centre, York, YO31 7EX
- Fri 28 Apr
- 8pm
- £10, £5 concession
- Book tickets
Shaking All Over
Joyful jests galore, wonderful poetry, sizzling drama. Plus (wait for it) that rarely performed masterpiece All’s Labour about Nothing That Measures the Twelfth Midsummer Tempest’s Tale of Denmark – part II.
Round off your festival day with a rollicking quick-fire burst of Shakespearian comic delight. Golden highlights, songs, jokes and sketches, bouncing affectionately off the greatest poetic dramatist the world has ever known.
- Friargate Theatre, Lower Friargate, York YO1 9SL
- Fri 28, Sat 29 & Sun 30 Apr, Mon 1 May
- 10pm (Fri & Sat), 7:30pm (Sun & Mon)
- £8, £6 concession
- Book tickets
Open Workshop and Q&A with the Kyiv National Academic Molodyy Theatre
An open workshop for actors and theatre makers from York, an opportunity to work with the team from the Kyiv National Academic Molodyy Theatre. The workshop will be followed by a Q&A with members of the Kyiv National Academic Molodyy Theatre. A chance for you to ask questions about the state of theatre making in Ukraine today. And you can just join us for the Q&A!
- Friargate Theatre, Lower Friargate, York YO1 9SL
- Sat 29 Apr
- 10am
- Pay what you can
- Book tickets