From October 30th – November 2nd, the University of Regina Theatre Department is presenting an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.” Even while we were
selecting the play for our season we asked ourselves “why, in 2024 are we doing this play?” That question was the genesis for “It’s 2024 Why Shakespeare?” a symposium.
Shakespeare is unique and occupies simultaneous placements in high, middle, and low brow cultures and while, every year, he remains the most produced playwright in Canada, the United States and England his reception in 2024 is often more critical than in the past. Yet at the same time, in 2024,
Shakespeare has more cultural capital than any other playwright, poet or writer of the Elizabethan (or any other) Age. This symposium aims to disquiet and problematize the central (and at times suffocating) role of Shakespeare (and his plays) in our contemporary world while at the same time reimagining possibilities and appreciating Shakespeare’s literary and dramatic accomplishments and cultural appeal.
The symposium aims to bring together literary and theatre history scholars, theatre practitioners, students, and members of the public to explore the challenges and the opportunities presented by the continued emphasis that educational institutions, theatres, and other societal agencies place on Shakespeare.
It's 2024, Why Shakespeare 