Concert trio “In Voice and Verse” celebrate William Shakespeare’s outstanding contribution to our culture by presenting his Greatest Hits right here on the Isle of Wight early next month.
The show is a unique combination of speech, song and art that showcase the Bard’s best work as well as his power to inspire us across the centuries. The tour will debut on Shakespeare’s birthday in Leicester Square before visiting Ventnor as part of the Isle of Arts Festival on the 4th May.
Actor Lance Pierson brings the speeches and sonnets to life from Henry to Hamlet and Richard to Romeo. Soprano Belinda Yates and pianist Heather Chamberlain peform music inspired by Shakespeare’s work, from Purcell to Cole Porter and Walton’s Henry V to Bernstein’s West Side Story. The Bard himself guides the audience through his Greatest Hits on the accompanying projection which includes famous images that bring each scene to life.
“In Voice and Verse” have been touring the country for the last five years celebrating the British monarchy, the King James Bible and John Milton but feel this is their greatest challenge.
Pierson says:
“To whittle the greatest hits down to just ten speeches and ten songs was the hardest part. But it gives you a taste of the immense contribution he’s made to our culture. If you don’t have time to see all 37 plays or read all 154 sonnets then come and see the highlights in his Greatest Hits!”
