Salem Public Arts supports free Shakespeare performances in Downtown Salem
Bard Brigade presents King Lear at 289 Derby and Derby Square!
289 Derby St. Salem MA. August 9, 10, 11 @7pm
Derby Sq. at Old town Hall, Salem Ma. August 15, 16, 17 @7pm
Salem Public Arts is excited to be bringing the Bard Brigade back for another free public Shakespeare this summer. After last summer’s success presenting Macbeth in Derby Sq, Salem Public Arts and The Bard Brigade are looking forward to bringing King Lear to the new part at 289 Derby St. as well as returning to Derby Square.
“It is an exciting initiative bringing live theatre to the all-new (Still to be officially named) park and to continue the activations at Derby Square. This project is fully supported by the Salem Public Art Commission and was unanimously chosen as a fantastic use of the increased Public Art budget this year” says Public Art Commissioner and Chief Creative Officer at Creative Collective, a business support program for creative forward initiatives and businesses.
King Lear is considered to be one of Shakespeare’s masterpieces and tells a harrowing tale of love, betrayal, and greed within a family obsessed with power. Director Nick Gould, who has been acting and directing Shakespeare for over a decade says of directing Lear, “Part of the thrill of working on a piece like Lear is that it is one of Shakespeare’s most enduring works. The idea of an old man, an old king, an old father, passing on his worldly possessions to his children, only to find that two of them never really cared for him at all, still happens today. We still have people who use their family only for what they can gain from them.”
King Lear runs 120min, is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, and picnics. Event information here.
The Salem Public Art Commission was established in 2014 to oversee revisions to public art policies and procedures; and serves as an advocate for public art in Salem.
Contact Information
Contact: Laura Gould, The Bard Brigade
Email: thebardbrigade@gmail.com
