Lichfield Garrick has begun Garrick300, a year-long celebration of the life of David Garrick.
The year 2017 marks the 300th anniversary of the birth of Garrick who lived in Lichfield. The Garrick is honouring him by running a number of events in the theatre and across the city.
The year-long celebration started with the unveiling of a bronze mask of David Garrick’s face which was designed by Lichfield artist Peter Walker.
Tim Ford, the Garrick’s artistic director, said, “2017 is a really important and exciting year for us as we celebrate the life and times of David Garrick. He was a revolutionary in the theatre world working as an actor, writer, director, theatre manager and entrepreneur and was a hugely important person to Lichfield.
“We’ve been working really hard this past year planning some exciting events and we’re thrilled to be working with Peter Walker on the sculpture. We’re now hoping dedicated theatre audiences will help us to realise this vision and are asking for contributions towards creating the statue.”
The Garrick aims to install a statue of Garrick on the outside wall of the theatre. When completed, the 8ft tall statue will have the words of Shakespearean quotes cut through the bronze mask to show how the use of language and the body create the character the actor is portraying.
“The sculpture celebrates the importance and significance of David Garrick and his international reputation. It’ll not only act as a lasting tribute to his legacy but also as a symbol of the importance of theatre, performance and the spoken word which has played a part in many people’s lives for centuries,” said Ford.
The mask and a number of Peter Walker’s illustrations of the development of the mask are on display in the Garrick’s upper bar.
Anyone who would like to make a donation to the statue should e-mail [email protected].