The 16th International Shakespeare Festival in Gdańsk

[Ania Marzec-Manser]

Q: What has Shakespeare got to do with Gdansk?

A: The fact that the first Shakespeare theatre built in Gdansk, was during the dramatist's lifetime! . Professional English actors have been coming here each summer from 1600 to 1650, bringing with them his masterful plays. As the result in about 1611, a theatre was built along the lines of those in London. It was equipped with three gallery tiers for the audience (similar to the London's Globe), had an open stage and an open-air courtyard. The theatre was the only permanent theatre in the city for around 200 years and also served as a fencing school.

This tradition was revived in 1996 with the first joint English-Polish workshops and performances at historic sites throughout Gdansk. Now the city is in the process of rebuilding a new permanent Shakespeare theatre along the city's southern walls.

The Gdansk Shakespeare Festival was held July 27-August 8.  Festival site in English: http://www.shakespearefestival.pl/index.php.

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