THE Globe-To-Globe Shakespeare project will be visiting the Philippines this month to do two performances of Hamlet at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino.
Scheduled on August 23, the one-day performance is being brought to the country by veteran international stage producer Steve Aronson, with support from the British Embassy in the Philippines, British Council and the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines.
“We want to bring Shakespeare closer to the Filipinos and what better way than to stage Hamlet, which is considered as one of his finest works. Hamlet will be told differently. This is a relevant game changer for Philippine theater,” Aronson said.
He added: “Part of the proceeds of the ticket sales from the two performances will support select public-school students in the country as part of a long-term campaign to bring theater closer to the youth.”
Aronson said the matinee screening of Hamlet will be directed to students and will be priced significantly lower than its evening performance. The actors will be available after the performance for questions and answers.
Aronson started his theater production company back in 2001. Since then, he has staged more than 60 plays in partnership with theater groups from Europe and the United States.
The Globe-To-Globe Hamlet tour started in April last year to commemorate Shakespeare’s 450th birthday. It aims to stage Hamlet in all countries during its two-year run.
Currently, the tour has traveled more than 190,000 kilometers, with the Philippines becoming the 121st country to host the acclaimed play.
Globe-To-Globe tour was created with the aim of performing Hamlet to as many people as possible, in as diverse a range of places as possible.
Aronson believes that Shakespeare, as performed by the London Globe-To-Globe, can entertain and speak to every nationality and that everyone will benefit from watching his works.
The tour was granted the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization patronage in recognition of its engagement with local communities and the promotion of cultural education.
It has also received the Renee Stepham Award for Best Presentation of a Touring Theatre from the United Kingdom Theatre Awards and the International Award from The Stage Awards.