The 2024 Shakespeare and Race Festival, themed “Who Owns Shakespeare?”, will spark fresh debates and reflections on the ownership and interpretation of William Shakespeare’s work. Long considered a cornerstone of white, elite cultural heritage, Shakespeare’s influence continues to be contested by diverse communities and cultures. The festival will take place at Shakespeare’s Globe in London from 21-26 October, offering a series of conversations, performances, and academic discussions to explore how different groups have redefined the Bard’s legacy.
Founded in 2018, the Shakespeare and Race Festival aims to elevate voices of scholars, actors, writers, and theatre-makers of color, while engaging audiences with critical discussions about race in Shakespeare’s plays and era. The festival’s events also empower educators by providing practical tools to teach Shakespeare’s works through an anti-racist lens.
Deen & Dunya: A Celebration of Muslim Voices
Returning after sold-out shows at Bush Theatre and the Globe’s 2022 festival, Azan Ahmed’s Deen & Dunya will headline with a night of poetry and performance in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Ahmed, an award-winning actor-writer, curates an authentically Muslim space where spiritual, social, and personal experiences take center stage. With previous successes, this performance promises to deliver an evening filled with passion and heart.
Workshops: Anti-Racist Approaches to Shakespeare
The festival will also include educational workshops designed to address racism in Shakespeare’s Othello, The Merchant of Venice, and The Tempest. Participants will work with Globe Education practitioners to explore Shakespeare’s texts through academic and practical tools, highlighting the importance of anti-racist perspectives in the classroom.
Insight from Leading Directors: Ola Ince and Iqbal Khan
Two prominent directors, Ola Ince and Iqbal Khan, will discuss their unique approaches to staging Othello in Britain today. Ince’s production set in the modern-day MET police and Khan’s groundbreaking RSC version, which cast a Black actor as Iago, will be showcased in a conversation led by Dr. Hanh Bui, the Globe’s Interim Head of Research. Audiences can expect a thought-provoking dialogue about adapting Shakespeare’s works to reflect contemporary social issues.
Symposium on Shakespeare’s Legacy
The two-day symposium, themed “Who Owns Shakespeare? Adaptation, Appropriation, Authority”, will bring together emerging and established voices in early modern studies to tackle the complexities of Shakespeare’s contested space in theatre, academia, and public life. Topics will include everything from translation and performance to theatre practices and print culture.
South Asian Shakespeares: A Cultural Heritage Conversation
In a unique panel discussion, Pooja Ghai, Jatinder Verma, Dr. Varsha Panjwani, and Samir Bhamra will explore the influence of South Asian culture on Shakespeare in Britain. From Ghai’s work directing Hakawatis: Women of the Arabian Nights to Verma’s pioneering role in British Asian Theatre, the conversation will celebrate the vibrant future of South Asian Shakespeare adaptations. Supported by two anonymous foundations, the 2024 Shakespeare and Race Festival promises to be a space for both critical inquiry and celebration, offering new ways of understanding and engaging with Shakespeare’s work in a global and inclusive context.
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