A photo exhibition of the best images from the Shakespeare Lives in Photography competition opened yesterday in Hanoi.

The competition, organised by the British Council, attracted 200 entries and produced 11 winners that were chosen for their creative references to William Shakespeare’s plays, his influence on literature or for capturing a famous Shakespearean locations.

The award-winning images are being displayed alongside commissioned images from live performances of Shakespeare’s plays from around the world, such as scenes from Richard III, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth.

The exhibition is being held by the British Council in partnership with the British Embassy and Hà Nội Creative City. They also launched the Shakespeare Lives global campaign in Việt Nam.

Shakespeare Lives comprises a series of events and activities throughout 2016 that will celebrate Shakespeare’s work on the occasion of his 400th death anniversary. The exhibition will run until April 15 at 1 Lương Yên Street, Hà Nội.

A romantic comedy film based on Shakespeare’s play of the same name, Much Ado About Nothing, was shown after the exhibition’s opening ceremony.

The Shakespeare Lives programme will include a host of events, such as innovative theatre and dance performances, film screenings, globally sourced art exhibitions, and educational resources for English language learners.

Leading actors from the Việt Nam National Drama Theatre will perform Hamlet as part of the Shakespeare Lives programme.

VNS