UQ to host international Shakespeare conference

The University of Queensland has been selected to host one of the world's biggest literary studies conferences, the 2006 World Shakespeare Congress.

This will be the first time the Congress, which has been held every five years since 1971, will take place south in the southern hemisphere.

'It's a major coup for The University of Queensland
and Brisbane,' said Associate Professor Richard Fotheringham, who was part of the team that made the successful bid at this year's conference in Valencia, Spain.

'The North American and Asian representatives were particularly keen to support a venue that will focus on Shakespeare as a world author, not just a British one. And they all want to bring their families for a holiday afterwards," Dr Fotheringham said.

The Congress is expected to attract up to 1000 delegates.

Dr Fotheringham is also planning to organise a Pacific Shakespeare Festival to coincide with the Congress.

'Some of the most exciting performance work using Shakespeare's stories is taking place in Singapore, China, Japan, Canada, the USA and even Peru.

'Tokyo has a full-size replica of Shakespeare's Globe funded by the Panasonic Corporation, the world's most successful Shakespeare Festival takes place in a small town north of San Francisco, and Vancouver offers tent Shakespeare every summer,' he said.

'Brisbane too should have lots to offer: hopefully the Queensland Theatre Company, Grin and Tonic, the physical theatre troupe Zen Zen Zo (currently resident at UQ), and lots of other companies will take up the challenge".

Brisbane Tourism and Queensland Arts Minister Matt Foley assisted the University in its successful bid.

Media: For further information, contact Associate Professor Lloyd Davis (telephone 07 3365 9792), Associate Professor Richard Fotheringham (telephone 07 3365 3327) or Peter McCutcheon at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 1088, mobile 0413 380 012).