In an Urdu production, Pakistani TV star Nadia Jamil will star as Katherine in Taming of the Shrew and international directors Eimuntas Nekrosius and Tang Shu Wing will mount shows in Lithuanian and Cantonese respectively. Shakespeare's Globe artistic director Dominic Dromgoole said that the festival, which begins on Shakespeare's birthday, 23 April 2012, would celebrate the fact that the playwright had become "an international language".
ISE 2011 Update - In response to "unprecedented demand from exhibitors and visitors alike", the organisers of ISE 2011 have announced extended opening hours for this year's event. On the last day of the show - Thursday, 3 February - the doors of the Amsterdam RAI will remain open until 18:00. In previous years, ISE's last day has closed for business at 16:00.
The new opening hours reflect the enlarged footprint of ISE 2011. With two new halls being occupied compared with 2010 and an estimated net floor area that is 20% larger, this year's ISE will present a broader range of new systems integration technologies than ever, say the organisers.
"ISE has always been busy right up until its final minutes," comments Mike Blackman, managing director, Integrated Systems Events. "By adding an extra two hours at the end of the day, we hope to give attendees the chance to see all the products - and all the people - they want to see."
Carbon Cuts - Hall for Cornwall has become the first arts organisation in the UK to complete a year of carbon emission cuts as part of the nationwide 10:10 campaign, breaking its 10% target and achieving CO2 reductions of 17%. Launched in September 2009, 10:10 was set up to encourage businesses, schools and individuals to commit to cut their carbon emissions by 10% in 2010. More than 100 arts organisations have signed up, including the Royal Opera House, National Theatre Wales, BAFTA and all the theatres owned by Ambassador Theatre Group.
Based in a 19th-century building in Truro, Hall for Cornwall cut its gas consumption by 40% and its electricity usage by 7% as part of its overall 17% reduction in carbon emissions. Barry Philpott, Hall for Cornwall's premises manager, said: "By building awareness among HFC's staff and continuing investment in more efficient LED lighting we've been able to work towards a more sustainable future." The 10:10 campaign has now been extended indefinitely and organisations and individuals can still sign up to try and achieve a 10% reduction in their carbon emissions over a year.
(Jim Evans)
