Shakespeare projects aim to 'inspire new actors'

Projects using the works of Shakespeare aim to inspire new actors to "take to the stage", the chairman of a Manx theatre company has said.

As part of its 75th anniversary celebrations, the Manx Amateur Drama Federation (MADF) will hold Mastering Shakespeare classes for school children and adults.

Performances of A Midsummer Night's Dream, set in the 80s with a Manx twist, will then be staged in the gardens of Government House in September.

Sharon Walker said the aim was to "encourage different people to be involved to spread the enjoyment of the creativity that goes into putting on a play".

"We want to promote theatre on the island and these projects could be for young people who have never been exposed to Shakespeare, or maybe people who have performed it years ago," she said.

The workshops, held in schools and during a session on 1 March for those who want to join the cast of the play later in the year, will be run by Edward Bennett following a recommendation by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Ms Walker said she wanted to see people who "have not normally been involved in drama on the island to get involved at the open auditions" for the Manx version of the Shakespearean comedy to be held in March.

She said Mr Bennett would help to shape the reimagining of the play, along with the cast, to "make it our own and something that's very special".

The MADF, known for it's Easter Festival of Plays, said the initiatives would "promote a wider participation in and enjoyment of classic theatre across the island" and "inspire the next generation of theatre creatives".

The projects have been supported by funding from the Isle of Man Arts Council's extraordinary events fund.

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