More than 1,000 people from around the world have submitted entries to the Royal Shakespeare Company’s #ShareYourShakespeare campaign.
The campaign, set up in partnership with the Folger Shakespeare Library, challenges audiences to share their love of Shakespeare in whatever way they choose.
Community theatre-makers, amateur companies, schools, families and working actors have responded, with entries received from the USA, Russia, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.
The RSC unveiled the results of its largest digital celebration by audiences on 23 April 2020 for Shakespeare’s 456th birthday (his birthday is often commemorated on this date, the anniversary of his death).
Notable entries received as part of #ShareYourShakespeare include an emoji love story of Romeo and Juliet, a family chat with King Lear, Goneril and Regan on the Zoom video conferencing service, a Shakespeare / Star Wars mash-up from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and All The World's A Stage... for women too written by RSC associate artist Harriet Walter and William Shakespeare.
A selection of “the most creative, surprising and inspiring” contributions has been collated and can be viewed at the RSC or on its YouTube channel.
The #ShareYourShakespeare campaign started with a performance of “The Seven Ages of Man” speech from As You Like It by David Tennant.
RSC artistic director Gregory Doran said, “we’ve been overwhelmed by the creativity and resourcefulness of those who’ve contributed to the campaign so far. We're thrilled to see so many embracing their inner creativity in quarantine through their shared love of Shakespeare.”
The campaign will continue throughout April and May. Anyone who would like to contribute should film or photograph their Shakespeare in any way and upload it to Instagram, Twitter or YouTube, tagging @theRSC and using the hashtag #ShareYourShakespeare.