A new project dedicated to celebrating the life and work of William Shakespeare has been launched by four of Scotland's leading cultural institutions.
The New Dreams initiative will climax with a new show called Dream On to be held at Glasgow University's Bute Hall and Cloisters on April 23 next year, the 400th anniversary of his death.
New Dreams will be a product of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, The Glasgow School of Art, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Glasgow University.
The multi-arts project will span several months, and feature performances, screenings, music and exhibitions, and hopes to involve hundreds of students, artists, designers, and academics.
Much of the work in the project will be inspired by Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
The leading Scottish theatre director Graham McLaren, the departing associate director of the National Theatre of Scotland, has been appointed artistic director of the culmination of the festival.
McLaren directing the work of students and professional artists and academics from all four partners in a "multi-media immersive performance."
The show will be one of his final projects in Scotland before taking up his new role as co-director of the Abbey Theatre in Dublin.
He said: "Thirty years ago I was taken to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (then RSAMD) by a wonderful, canny drama teacher to watch Shakespeare for free.
"I sat in the Old Athenaeum Theatre and, quite simply, a fire in me ignited and a lifelong love of this great institution started.
"You will understand then the real privilege I feel leading RCS students with such a remarkable array of local and international collaborators and artists in what is certain to be Scotland's most significant response to celebrate Shakespeare's 400th anniversary." Gavin Reid, director of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, said: "We believe this is one of the most ambitious Shakespeare celebrations taking place in Scotland next year and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra are proud to be partnered with some of Scotland's most renowned creative institutions."
Professor Tom Inns, director of the Glasgow School of Art, said: "Our design students will employ cutting-edge techniques in the production giving the celebration a truly contemporary feel and ensuring the genius of Shakespeare's work is communicated to the 21st century audience."
Professor Anton Muscatelli, principal of Glasgow University, said: "It will be a fitting 400th birthday tribute to William Shakespeare, a man whose own artistic skills and creativity helped shape the English language and English literature around the world. "One of our aims is always to make clear that the University of Glasgow is a resource for everyone."
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