“400 years on, Shakespeare’s plays continue to dominate stages worldwide, mostly of course in translation, challenging actors, directors, designers and audience.” Ian McKellen. BFI presents Shakespeare Lives, the biggest ever programme of Shakespeare in the UK and across the world, in collaboration with the British Council. In this two month long festival, there will be an international tour of 18 British films, new 4k restorations, and of course landmark films by Laurence Olivier, Orson Wells and Kenneth Branagh. In this introduction event, Shakespeare on Film, the BFI does not disappoint showcasing iconic film adaptations, the legend that is Ian McKellen and an in-depth analysis of adaptations over the years.
Jean Baptiste Maillet and Romain Bermond, better known as STEREOPTIK, have entranced audiences alike since 2009 with their integration of cinematography and musical accompaniments to make pieces that truly stand out. A partnership that proves vital to the end result, Maillet and Bermond go beyond being performers of their pieces, designing every element, from the narrative, to the lighting, to the soundtrack embedded within each show. Ahead of their performance of Dark Circus at this year’s London International Festival, Theatrefullstop were able to speak Maillet and Bermond about performing at this year’s festival, how they both approach creating their work and the importance of LIMF for the promotion of physical and visual theatre.
The genre of visual theatre may seem quite vague and confusing. The term refers to a form of theatre that uses techniques other than speech to communicate a story. This can be anything from mime, to physical theatre, art installations to puppetry. The Wrong Crowd proudly bear the torch for visual theatre, integrating visually stunning puppets with an inventive narrative. Ahead of The Wrong Crowd’s London International Mime Festival debut of their show, Kite, Theatrefullstop were able to speak to the theatre company’s co-director and puppet designer and director, Rachael Canning about the festival’s importance in the theatre world, Kite‘s central themes and other artists she is looking forward to watching at this year’s festival.
