London troupe headed to VU for ShakespeareWeek

VALPARAISO — A little bit of London is coming to Valparaiso University for a week later this month.

The university is hosting its inaugural Shakespeare Week from March 18 to 22, with a weeklong residency by Actors from The London Stage. The group is composed of actors from companies including the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre, and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.

The week will feature an assortment of performances that are open to the public, as well as inclass workshops for students in a wide array of disciplines.

The program is the brainchild of Peter Kanelos, who started as the dean of Christ College, VU’s honors college, over the summer. Kanelos, who has a background in Shakespearean studies, came here from Loyola University in Chicago, where he put together an interdisciplinary program on Shakespeare.

“I realized the honors college here is really a hub between many different disciplines,” he said, adding that the week here involves the English, theater and music departments, and the law school. “It just seemed like this is something we could all rally behind.”

Most people have had at least some contact with Shakespeare, he said, and the dramatist’s plays have universal interest, touching on everything from tragic young lovers to magical fairies living in a forest.

“Shakespeare is one of the very few cultural icons we still hold in common,” Kanelos said. “Anybody you meet who’s moderately interested in culture has that background.”

Even for young people, Shakespeare is still very much a cultural figure, Kanelos said, adding Joss Whedon, creator of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” filmed a black and white version of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” in his house.

“For college kids and the campus, I thought it would be very exciting to start a new tradition,” Kanelos said, adding he already has a contract with Actors from the London Stage for next year, and plans on making the week an annual event.

All performances are in VU’s Center for the Arts. Highlights include:

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“Songs and Sonnets of Shakespeare,” presented by the Departments of English and Music, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, Duesenberg Recital Hall. Admission is free.

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“’Hamlet’ and ‘Macbeth,’ Abridged!” presented by the Department of Theatre, 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, Studio Theatre. Admission is free.

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“As You Like It” by Actors From The London Stage; three performances, all at 8 p.m.: Thursday, March 20; Friday, March 21; and Saturday, March 22, University Theatre. Admission is $15 for the general public; $10 for Valparaiso University students/faculty/staff.

Call the Center for the Arts Box Office at 464-5162 for tickets to “As You Like It” or contact Kari-Anne Innes at 464-6843 for information about the other performances.