Shakespeare Houses show-cased in Dubai
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (SBT) is to showcase the five Shakespeare Houses for the first time in Dubai.
Destination Britain & Ireland, which takes place from 10 – 13 May, is VisitBritain’s premier business-to business trade show for the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa region. It presents British tourism sellers with the opportunity of meeting over 100 buyers from 15 different markets with the aim of developing and enhancing key relationships within these new and emerging markets.
Representatives from SBT will be meeting with prospective companies to talk about a number of exciting new initiatives and opportunities. These include Dig for Shakespeare, the re-opening of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre later this year, the 2012 Olympics, the Queen's Jubilee in 2012 and preparing for 2016 which marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.
‘Dig for Shakespeare’ is a major archaeological excavation of Shakespeare’s final home at New Place where original foundations of his home lie hidden from public view. New Place is the property Shakespeare purchased after he returned from London. The house was sadly demolished in 1759 by its then owner, upset by the intrusion of tourists.
Visitors to the neighbouring Nash’s House are invited to watch over the shoulders of the archaeologists as they work, with special viewing platforms offering superb views of the three trenches being dug. The dig launched in March 2010, and archaeologists have already revealed Shakespeare’s bay window and the remains of wells in the area thought to be the servants’ yards – an exciting discovery which historians hope will lead to the uncovering of preserved, waterlogged artefacts later in the season.
At the end of 2010 the Royal Shakespeare Company will open its doors to the new Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) with first performances scheduled to take place early 2011. SBT and the RSC currently work together in partnership and the opening of the new RST, combined with a visit to the Shakespeare Houses will be an especially exciting opportunity for groups when visiting Stratford-upon-Avon.
Jacqueline Green, Trade & Education Development Manager at SBT stated “We’re delighted to be attending Destination Britain & Ireland and look forward to show-casing the Shakespeare Houses to prospective companies. These events are incredibly effective in raising awareness of what we have to offer and at the same time useful in developing and building relationships with representatives from these new and emerging markets”.
For more information about group visits and tours visit the website at: shakespeare.org.uk
