From March 25th to April 15th, the best images from the Shakespeare Lives in Photography competition will be exhibited in a special space inside disused cargo containers at Hanoi Creative City (No 1 Luong Yen, Bach Dang ward, Hai Ba Trung district).

Organised by the British Council in partnership with the British Embassy and Hanoi Creative City, the exhibition kicks off the Shakespeare Lives global campaign in Vietnam. Shakespeare Lives is comprised of a series of events and activities throughout 2016 celebrating Shakespeare’s work on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of his death. Activities in English, education and the arts will explore the story of how the ‘Bard of Avon’ and his work continue to inspire people all over the world.

The Scompetition run by the British Council has attracted 200 entries and produced 11 winners choosing to creatively reference scenes from either Shakespeare plays, his influence on literature or capture a famous Shakespearian location.

The 11 winning photos will be displayed alongside commissioned images from live Shakespeare performances around the world, featuring scenes from Richard III, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth, amongst others.

“Much Ado about Nothing” the romantic comedy which was directed by five-time Academy Award nominee Kenneth Branagh is to be screened during the exhibition.

The film stars Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington and Michael Keaton who are all Academy Award winning actors. Screenings are scheduled for March 24th at 15h30 and on April 2nd and 9th at 18h30.

They are part of a series of screenings throughout 2016 to showcase film adaptations of Shakespeare’s work, or filmed theatre productions as part of the 2016 ‘Shakespeare Lives in Film’ collection.

Leading the Shakespeare Lives activities in Vietnam, the British Council is collaborating with publishing houses, arts organisations and schools to engage audiences with new creative work inspired by Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets. Shakespeare Lives activities will enable audiences to reassess perceptions of Shakespeare and provide new inspiration to engage with his work.

Meanwhile, this work continues to grow in popularity internationally, thanks to its continuing engagement with social issues and the influence it has had on the English language./.

( VNF )