A modern take on Shakespeare stakes out the State

What light through yonder projector breaks? It is the Bard, and his films are the subject.

Downtown Modesto’s State Theatre kicks off four weekends’ worth of free programming based on the work of William Shakespeare on Friday, April 22. The event, called Shakespeare at the State, will screen four films produced by BBC Worldwide to coincides with the 400th anniversary of the famed English writer’s death.

State Theatre Executive Director Sue Richardson said the event will also be the kick-off to an initiative she has been planning at the venue to provide free or low-cost community programming every Friday at noon.

“I am trying to get that Friday at noon slot turned into something very dynamic. I want it always to be something different,” Richardson said. “I am also a big, huge Shakespeare fan. So when this Shakespeare thing came up, I thought, ‘Oh my god that’s perfect and free.’ ”

Shakespeare at the State begins with a screening of the documentary series “Shakespeare and Us,” an exploration of the Bard’s influence in shaping British culture featuring historian Simon Schama. Screenings will be at noon Friday and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 24, with no admission charge for the public.

The series will continue April 29 with a showing of the 2005 film “Taming of the Shrew.” The modern adaptation of the classic battle-of-the-sexes story features British actors Shirley Henderson and Rufus Sewel in the lead roles. The film will have an encore screening at 3 p.m. May 1.

Next will be the Bard’s comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The 1971 production features an all-star U.K. cast including Lynn Redgrave, Michael Gambon, Eileen Atkins, Edward Fox, Eleanor Bron, Robert Stephens and Ronnie Barker. It will other showings at noon May 6 and 3 p.m. May 8.

Finally, the series will conclude with a showing of Shakespeare’s comedic play “As You Like It.” The black-and-white 1963 adaptation is from the Royal Shakespeare Company and stars Vanessa Redgrave and Ian Richardson. Screenings will be at noon May 13 and 4:30 p.m. May 15.

Sue Richardson said the Fridays at noon events will continue after the Shakespeare series concludes. In the future she said the time slot could play host to everything from community speakers to TED talk showings, book club groups and beyond. She said she hopes people will come, take advantage of the theater’s new cafe offerings and have lunch while enjoying the programming.

“I want this just to be a fun destination. I think there are all kinds of different things can do to keep that Friday at noon slot interesting and a good way to kick off people’s weekends,” Richardson said.

This story was originally published April 19, 2016 at 4:09 PM with the headline "A modern take on Shakespeare stakes out the State."