US actor Kevin Spacey will be visiting Istanbul for five performances in October to play in a starring role in Shakespeare’s ‘Richard III.’ The host of the renown play will be Istanbul Theater Festival.

The Istanbul Theater Festival will host two special guests this October. Academy Award-winning  US actor Kevin Spacey and Oscar-winning UK director Sam Mendes bring William Shakespeare’s renown “Richard III” to Istanbul for five conclusive performances.“Richard III” was highly praised by the British press, with Spacey’s performance particularly winning rave reviews, after its world premiere on June 29 at the Old Vic Theatre in London . “Richard III” will be played inIstanbul after performances in Athens, Hong Kong and Spain.

Kevin Spacey to shine in Istanbul theatre stages

Istanbul Theatre Festival (IKSV) & Istanbul Municipal Theatres will host the special co-production in October sponsored by Vodafone RED. Directed by Sam Mendes and featuring Kevin Spacey in the title role, “Richard III” will be in Istanbul in October with five special performances.“Richard III,” which staged its world premiere in June in London received great acclaim and and made tremendous effect. The play will be performed at the Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage in Istanbul October on 5; Thursday, October 6; Friday, October 7; Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9 at 20.30

Mendes and Spacey have won five Academy Awards including the honors for best actor and best director in 1999 for their collaborate work, “American Beauty.” The actor-director duo has been united again now to produce “Richard III,” one of Shakespeare’s most famous historical plays.

Kevin Spacey & Sam Mendes reunite for Shakespeare’s Richard III

Kevin Spacey states on the play and his relation to Sam Mendes: “Sam is one of the finest directors I have had the pleasure to work with and to gain this opportunity is beyond my wildest hopes. I love Sam’s perspective on a role, carving and shaping the actor. With such a remarkable character before me I have a feeling this one is going to be memorable experience. It is also my hope to bring a comprehensive educational programme and opportunities for emerging artists along our travels, making an argument for the living theatre in all major cities we will visit throughout 2011. We’re delighted that Bank of America Merrill Lynch has come on board for another season as our sponsor and I applaud and appreciate their continued support for our work.”

“I am absolutely delighted to be working with Kevin again for the first time since ‘American Beauty,”’ said Mendes. “‘Richard III’ is a play I love, and a role I think Kevin is born to play. I’m also thrilled that [our] partnership … has strengthened and blossomed over the course of this venture, along with a host of invaluable international partnerships that have enabled us to extend the reach of global touring year after year.”

After the performances in Athens, Hong Kong and Spain, “Richard III” will come to Istanbul in October for five special performances. Following the performances in Istanbul on October, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, the production will continue the tour with performances in Beijing, Singapore and Sydney.

Tickets for “Richard III” can be purchased at Biletix sales channels and the main box office at the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, or İKSV, building starting in August.

 

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