Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Announces Its 2007 Season

Recently, Shakespeare's Globe announced the plays of its 2007 season. Located in London, Shakespeare's Globe is an outdoor theater designed to resemble the original Globe Theatre of Shakespeare's career.

Othello opens on May 4. The play tells the story of the Moorish general Othello who is employed as a mercenary general to lead the Venetian army against Cyprus. Othello's ensign, Iago, is bent on a course to destroy his commander through trickery. It is a play about jealousy and love, one of Shakespeare's darkest allegories. Othello is directed by Tony award nominee Wilson Milam, whose credits include The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Killer Joe, and Hurly Burly.

In Extremis opens on May 15. It is a religious and philosophical study set in 12th century France. Modern audiences will find countless parallels between our current political landscape and the story of a man discredited by his political enemies after having an affair with a student. In Extremis is directed by John Dove, who has also done Measure for Measure and The Winter's Tale for the Globe.

The Merchant of Venice opens on June 2. Perhaps Shakespeare's most controversial play, Merchant is the story of a Jew, Shylock, who seeks revenge on his anti-Semitic enemies in Venice. At the same time, the lovely heiress Portia is wooed by suitors in Belmont. But the two worlds, city and country, come clashing together in a dramatic climax. The Merchant of Venice is directed by Rebecca Gatward, who recently directed The Indian Boy and co-directed The Canterbury Tales for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Love's Labour's Lost opens on July 1. The young King of Navarre and three of his courtiers have decided to swear off women in favor of learning. But, boys will be boys. The Princess of France and her friends visit, and the boys all break their oaths but try to cover themselves. It's a romp through mistaken identities, trickery, and even a little drunkenness. Love's Labour's Lost is directed by Dominic Dromgoole, the artistic director of the Globe, who directed Coriolanus and Antony and Cleopatra last season.

Holding Fire! opens on July 28. It is set in Victorian England, with the country on the edge of civil war. A young lady is caught in the middle, and travels through both sides, until she ends up fleeing from authority and comes across a moderate man trying to dance along the borders of the two factions. Now, the girl is caught between three worlds. Playwright Jack Shepherd has also served as an actor and director for the Globe. Holding Fire! is directed by Mark Rosenblatt, whose credits include Professor Bernhardi and The Circle.

We The People opens on September 2. It is a story of the forging of the United States. In 1787, the country has recently gained its independence, but is struggling with its identity. The names all American school children know - Franklin, Washington, Madison - come on stage to write the Constitution. Playwright Eric Schlosser crafted the play from historical documents. He is a well known American historian whose books include Reefer Madness and Fast Food Nation. We The People is directed by Charlotte Westenra, who recently directed Gladiator Games and is currently directing Kiss of the Spider Woman.

Tickets can be purchased for any of the above shows through the Globe's website, at http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/.