After the 2019 Shakespeare & Poland festival, we once more examine Poland’s particular affinity and fascination with Shakespeare and his work through a new series of events in June 2022.
The return of Read Not Dead, our much-loved script-in-hand performances, sees the world premiere in English of Cyprian Norwid’s Shakespeare-inspired Cleopatra and Caesar, as well as a Rarely Played seminar taking place beforehand to introduce you to the play.
Accompanying our Summer 2022 production of King Lear, Polish-born, internationally-acclaimed theatre and opera director Helena Kaut-Howson discusses her introduction to Shakespeare whilst growing up in Poland and how it has influenced her in a Roundtable discussion chaired by Patrick Spottiswoode, Founder of Globe Education.
Roundtable: King Lear
23 June 2022, 6.00PM
This insightful roundtable event gives space to artists and scholars to share their unique perspectives on the lasting popularity and influence of Shakespeare’s King Lear in England and Poland.
Polish-born, internationally-acclaimed theatre and opera director Helena Kaut-Howson discusses her introduction to Shakespeare whilst growing up in Poland and how it has influenced this year’s production of King Lear in the Globe Theatre.
She will be joined by an English and a Polish Shakespeare scholar, in a discussion chaired by Patrick Spottiswoode, Founder of Globe Education and now a Senior Research Fellow at Shakespeare‘s Globe. Further guest speakers to be announced.
Roundtable: King Lear is part of our continued collaboration with Polish and English artists and experts to celebrate Poland’s particular affinity and fascination with Shakespeare.
King Lear
10 June – 24 July 2022
family feud tears apart a kingdom in Shakespeare’s epic tragedy King Lear, in the Globe Theatre this Summer.
When the aged King relinquishes his empire, he divides it amongst his three daughters, promising the largest share to the one who professes to love him the most. But when the balance of power transfers to the next generation, Lear is cast out by those he trusts, embarking on a maddening quest for self-knowledge and reconciliation.
A nightmarish family drama of global proportions, King Lear forces us to face our own humanity and the profound need for compassion.
Twenty-five years after their original, ground-breaking production, internationally lauded director, Helena Kaut-Howson, co-founder of theatre company Complicité, Marcello Magni, and ‘one of the greatest stage actors alive’ (Vanity Fair), Kathryn Hunter reunite to bring King Lear to a new generation. Kathryn reclaims the title role, with the Globe’s Artistic Director Michelle Terry as Cordelia and the Fool.
Rarely Played: Cleopatra and Caesar
26 June 2022, 1.00PM
This inspiring and engaging seminar, led by Professor Charles S. Kraszewski, introduces you to the extraordinary life and works of renowned Polish Romantic poet Cyprian Norwid.
Discover Norwid’s astonishing breadth of work in this seminar, then book a ticket for the return of our script-in-hand performance series, Read Not Dead, to experience his Shakespeare-inspired play, Cleopatra and Caesar, in action, directed by James Wallace.
Shakespeare’s Globe is indebted to Glagoslav Publications and to Charles S. Kraszewski for permission to use his translation.
Read Not Dead: Cleopatra and Caesar
26 June 2022, 4.00PM
Script-in-hand performance series, Read Not Dead, returns with the world premiere in English of Cyprian Norwid’s Shakespeare-inspired, Cleopatra and Caesar.
Inspired by Antony and Cleopatra, Cyprian Norwid’s piece offers a striking perspective on Shakespeare’s Queen. This premiere performance will introduce audiences to a writer who is now regarded as one of the most significant Polish Romantic poets.
The play first appeared in English translation in 2021 to mark the 200th anniversary of Norwid’s birth. Norwid lived for a time in Great Britain but died as a recluse and in poverty in Paris in 1883.
Shakespeare’s Globe is indebted to Glagoslav Publications and to Charles S. Kraszewski for permission to use his translation.
Open House – Polish Underground Movement Study
Collecting Cultures: Central and Eastern Europe –
