Be the Bard, experience Shakespeare -- your own way

Get on the director's chair, cast the actors, select their costumes, acting style and create your own scene to experience Shakespeare -- like never before.

The British Council's interactive video platform 'Mix the Play' is all set to bring the Bard closer to the 21st century audience.

Taking forward the 2017 UK-India Year of Culture, the British Council is coming up with a series of initiatives that include a "Shakespearean roadshow" in the city involving screening of 37 "ten minutes" adaptations of his plays at important public places.

"This year being his 400th birth anniversary, we are bringing Shakespeare to the 21st century. 'Mix the Play' which we have devised with playwright and theatre director Roysten Abel, will give the people an opprtunity to experience Shakespeare like never before,"British Council India Director Alan Gemmell said.

"The scenes will be available online and users can create their own version by mixing and matching costumes, characters, music and effects," said Gemmel.

"The object is to engage the audience with Shakespeare and educate them about theatre direction in a fun way," said the diplomat.

Besides 'Mix the Play', which will be launched in November in the city and subsequently in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, the council will be organising "Shakespearean roadshow" in January.

"The roadshow will allow people to experience his dramas at prominent public places in the city. Each of the 37 'ten-minute films' explores one of Shakespeare's plays and includes scenes shot at locations the Bard would have imagined when he wrote them," said Gemmell.

The council will also be launching another digital initiative called 'Mix the City', where music from various parts of India will be compiled into an interactive video, allowing users to create their own music experience.

"Mix the City aims to showcase the diversity of sound, music and cultural influences across India. Collaborating with musicians, the platform will reflect upon the evolving music scene in India in terms of fusion of various forms of music including the classical and contemporary," added Gemmell.

--IANS

ad/in/vt