Selfridges launches theatre to celebrate Shakespeare anniversary

By

Cajsa Lykke Carlson

Published
Jun 29, 2016

Selfridges, the fashion-focused British department store, is indulging its flair for theatrics in marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death.

The retailer has teamed up with LG to open The reFASHIONed Theatre on its lower ground floor from the 4th of July, and has launched the Shakespeare Edit, which sees brands create pieces inspired by the bard.

The theatre will stage a new version of "Much Ado About Nothing" by British theatre company The Faction, and there will also be theatrical showcases that deliver a behind-the-scenes insight into the transformation of a play from read-through to opening night.

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"Everyone at The Faction is delighted to be collaborating with Selfridges to create this new production. It’s an ambitious, innovative and wild idea – exactly the way we should be celebrating Shakespeare 400," said Mark Leipacher, Artistic Director, The Faction.

The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, RADA, will also hold a two-week residency, teaching customers stage-craft workshops and masterclasses at Selfridges.

Selfridges has also teamed up with a number of designers for the Shakespeare Edit, including Alexander McQueen, Rodarte, Marques Almeida, Self Portrait and Marques Almeida, who have created exclusive Shakespeare-inspired pieces for the retailer.

For music fans, there's Shakespeare reCITED, for which Selfridges has worked with contemporary brands, including Liam Hodges and Astrid Andersen, who have collaborated with grime and spoke-word artists on a series of music and art performances. The performances will also be held in the theatre space, and will be accompanied by limited-edition event merchandise.