Shakespeare’s Globe performs Hamlet at the Jungle refugee camp in Calais, in partnership with Good Chance

Saturday 30 January 2016

At 2.30pm on Wednesday 3 February 2016, Shakespeare’s Globe will perform their worldwide touring production of Hamlet at the Jungle refugee camp in Calais, France. The show will be performed to residents of the camp, in partnership with Good Chance, a temporary theatre based in the Jungle which offers a varied programme of art, theatre and music events.

The Jungle refugee camp is an ad hoc encampment of around 6000 people, who have made trans-continental journeys from their home countries for a wide array of reasons. Residents of the camp come from countries all across Africa and the Middle East. This performance marks the latest in a series of performances to displaced people. The Hamlet company have previously performed to Syrian refugees at the Zaatari Camp in Jordan, to Yemeni refugees at the Markazi Camp, Djibouti and to Central African Republic refugees in Mandjou, Cameroon. On 8 February, they will perform to Libyan migrants at the Salesian Theatre in Malta.

Dominic Dromgoole, Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe, said: “This performance will be yet another wonderful example of this ground-breaking tour’s ability to reach displaced people across the world. It’s a privilege that our Hamlet company have been able to perform in the Calais Jungle and our thanks go to Good Chance for enabling this.”

Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, Artistic Directors of Good Chance, said: “We are delighted to welcome Shakespeare’s Globe’s​ Hamlet to the Jungle. As a production which has travelled to audiences all over the world, it is fitting that it visits the camp here in Calais, where the fault lines of over 20 different nations meet. The ​Good Chance Theatre welcomes people of all ages and nationalities to share in the different cultures and traditions that provide the only positive aspect of this situation. The production is a message of solidarity with the people here, and testament to the power of theatre to unite.”

The Globe to Globe Hamlet aims to play to every country in the world by 23 April 2016, the 400^th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. The tour was granted UNESCO patronage for its engagement with local communities and its promotion of cultural education.

The journey of the Hamlet company can be followed day to day on Twitter: twitter.com/WorldHamlet and our blog: globetoglobehamlet.tumblr.com and our interactive map details all upcoming shows: globetoglobe.shakespearesglobe.com/hamlet/the-map. Donations can be given by texting TOUR16 followed by £5 or £10 to 70070.

Good Chance is a temporary theatre of hope in the heart of the refugee camp in Calais, set up in October 2015 by two British playwrights, Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson.The daytime schedule at Good Chance can include writing workshops, music lessons, dance, acting and performance. The theatre regularly welcomes visiting companies and artists who deliver workshops over one to seven days in specific performance arts like circus and clowning, or work in smaller groups to develop a more intimate process and performance piece over a longer period of time. Every evening, Good Chance hosts big communal events which bring all of the camp’s many nationalities together. Past events have included poetry slams, stand-up comedy, acoustic sets, theatre performances, rap battles, film nights and mass chill outs. Every Saturday night The Hope Show rounds-up the highlights of the week’s activity in a large-scale review show.

Good Chance is supported by numerous individuals and organisations, including the Young Vic Theatre and David Lan, The Royal Court Theatre and Vicky Featherstone, Elyse Dodgson, Stephen Daldry, Sonia Friedman, Jeffrey and Susan Culpepper.

For more information please visit www.goodchance.org.uk or see us on Twitter @goodchancecal

Patrons who are members of the free access scheme are eligible for adjusted ticket prices.

• The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse: The candlelit Jacobean theatre at Shakespeare’s Globe opened in January 2014. The Playhouse hosts concerts and other events throughout the summer, with the main indoor theatre season running October to April.

• Globe Education: One of the largest arts education departments in the UK; each year, over 100,000 people of all ages and nationalities participate in its public events, workshops and courses. Globe Education also runs extensive outreach programmes for students and teachers in the Southwark community, nationally and internationally.

• Globe Exhibition & Tour: Open to the public all year round, the Globe Exhibition and Tour explores the life of Shakespeare, the London where he lived, and the theatre for which he wrote.

• Globe On Tour: The Globe’s productions tour extensively in the UK and internationally. Current tours include: Much Ado About Nothing and a production of Hamlet that is travelling to every country in the world.

• Globe Player: An online platform offering full-length HD films of over 50 Shakespeare productions at the Globe to rent or buy.

• Globe On Screen: Shakespeare’s Globe on Screen returns to cinemas in 2016, bringing highlights from the 2015 theatre season to cinemas worldwide. Globe on Screen 2016 will feature The Merchant of Venice, Richard II and Measure for Measure, all captured in ‘live’ high definition. For more information contact [email protected]

• Globe Shop: Stocks a variety of products, including theatre season-specific merchandise. All profits go towards supporting our educational mission.

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• The Shakespeare Globe Trust: Registered UK charity No. 266916. Shakespeare’s Globe receives no regular public subsidy.