In addition to its GIELGUD AWARD ceremonies, the GUILD provides constituents with a variety of other cultural activities. During the summer of 1992, for example, the GUILD joined hands with the GROVE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL in California for a GREAT SHAKES ALIVE initiative that included a Macbeth with David Birney and Joan Van Ark as the two protagonists. Two years later, during the spring of 1996, the GUILD contributed Bardic highlights to the inauguration of a DISNEY INSTITUTE in Florida. In December of 1996 the GUILD assisted with arrangements for a special preview screening of Kenneth Branagh’s epic Hamlet film, collaborating with the SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION and the FOLGER SHAKESPEARE LIBRARY to organize a symposium that included a Susan Stamberg interview with the star and filmmaker (portions of which were later broadcast over NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO) and a panel that spotlighted Sir Derek Jacobi, who had played the title role in a sterling BBC TV production, who had directed Branagh’s first Prince, and who was now portraying Claudius.
Since 1998, when it initiated its SPEAKING OF SHAKESPEARE series at the NATIONAL PRESS CLUB with director Peter Brook, the GUILD has operated in close association with the ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION. Attractions created under these auspices have been broadcast by the BBC and by C-SPAN’s weekend Book TV service. And they have taken place in such settings as BAFTA’s PRINCESS ANNE AUDITORIUM, the CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER, the COSMOS CLUB, and the NATIONAL ARTS CLUB.
For details about the GUILD offerings mentioned click here.
