Ian Farthing – St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival Artistic Director
In a huge announcement this morning in the council chambers at the Town of Prescott St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival Artistic Director, Ian Farthing, announced that the world’s most renowned Shakespeare troupe is making it’s first-ever visit to Canada this summer for an exclusive engagement in Prescott, Ontario.
Shakespeare’s Globe theater from London, England, will present two performances of Hamlet on Saturday, August 2nd (1pm and 7pm) at the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival – the only Canadian stop on their 2014 international tour!
“Globe to Globe: Hamlet” celebrates the 450th anniversary of the birth of Shakespeare, who founded the London company and created its famous theater in the round. The troupe aims to tour their production through 205 countries over the next two years.
“It’s magical that our Festival would attract such a high-calibre international company. To be the sole Canadian venue for this tour is a real honor. For many Canadian Shakespeare lovers, it’ll be the theatrical opportunity of a lifetime.” – St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival Artistic Director, Ian Farthing
“A Fantastic coup for Prescott and SLSF!” Prescott Mayor, Brett Todd
Globe to Globe ticket for the Prescott performances will go on sale at 10am on April 23rd – Shakespeare’s birthday. The festival is anticipating both shows will sell out very quickly. Festival Season Pass holders can purchase their tickets on March 3rd at 10am. Tickets will be available through the Festival box office 613-925-5788 or online www.stlawrenceshakespeare.ca.
Hosting Globe to Globe does come with additional costs for the Festival. Advanced commitments from donors, such as the Ontario Arts Council, are making this unique opportunity possible, but the Festival is still seeking support from potential partners – including a title sponsor. Interested donors should contact Ian Farthing for more information.
Farthing believes that the venture will expand the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival audience, with many Shakespeare fans discovering the unique Prescott venue for the first time, returning for it’s own productions of The Tempest and The Two Gentlemen of Verona, which run from July 12th to August 16th.
For more information about the Festival visit www.stlawrenceshakespeare.ca, for more information about Globe to Globe visit http://globetoglobe.shakespearesglobe.com/