Casting Shakespeare in a new light
SHAKESPEARE’S New Place is set to host a spectacular after dark event this Christmas, showcasing the garden with lights and interactive displays.
The Garden of Curious A-Muse-ments event will take place between 15th-17th December and, for this year, will replace the annual lights display at the Shakespeare Birthplace on Henley Street.
The aim of the event at New Place is to take visitors or ‘muse-catchers’ through a magical dream-like journey through the site, featuring the muses that inspired Shakespeare. To create the experience, The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust have teamed up with the United Nations Board of Significant Inspiration (UNBOSI) who will bring internationally renowned award-winning sound and light artists to the event.
Chloe Malendewicz, Shakespeare’s New Place Manager, said: “We wanted to close the 400th anniversary year of Shakespeare’s death with an exciting new interactive concept in tribute to Shakespeare’s creative genius.
“Working with UNBOSI enables us to explore opportunities to extend our creative programming and capture moments of inspiration from visitors. We hope to see many muse catchers join us on a dazzling journey through the New Place gardens.” Roger Hartley, Director of United Nations Board of Significant Inspiration, added: “New Place, Shakespeare’s family home for 19 years until his death in 1616 has been of interest to archaeologists and academics for centuries.
“The recent archaeological exploration and transformation of the site gave rise to a revisit from UNBOSI and now New Place is a site of intensive Muse Monitoring. UNBOSI believe knowledge of Tudor folklore and alchemy assisted in the creation of genius, and we look forward to analysing the discoveries our muse catchers may bring.”
The ticketed event has been supported by Arts Council England funding and runs between 4.30pm and 8.15pm on each day. Tickets cost £8 for adults, £5 for children and £20 for families and are available from www.musecatcher.org The Birthplace Trust says it will take around an hour for each party to tour the garden.
