Shakespeare unplugged and bootless

12:15pm Friday 22nd February 2008

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This year's Bath Shakespeare Festival which begins on Tuesday and runs until March 9 is rather different from its predecessors.

While there has always been experimental and innovative work in the festival, this year is entirely given over to non-traditional interpretations.

Shakespeare Unplugged Festival, The egg, Theatre Royal Bath

For instance A Midsummer Night's Dream is peformed by just four actors in a new version adapted by Bristol-based Hattie Naylor, who has been involved in many productions at the Ustinov and the egg.

Then there's Hamlet recreated by Denmark's Det Lille Turnéteater for two actors and two double bass players.

Bootless Cries is a world premiere presenting five of Shakespeare's most beautiful sonnets as never seen before.

Supple, the country's leading urban dance choreographer, has created this specially-commissioned new dance and visual theatre work, performed by his company, Kryptic movement.

In Bootless Cries, Supple has formed duets using parcours, breakdance and street dance in a unique, dynamic and original fusion.

The Seven Ages Film Hunt is free, for all ages, and takes place in the egg, the newly reopened Ustinov and at five other venues where emerging film-makers presetn short films inspired by the well-known line, All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players.' Shakespeare Remixed combines live theatre, breakdancing, DJs and MCs featuring extracts from MC Lowkey's debut play Max & Beth with choreography by Charleen Downer (Hip Academy Winner 2006-07).

Tickets and programme details are available from the Theatre Royal box office on (01225) 448844 or the egg theatre on (01225) 823 409.