LONDON, July 16, Reuter: “Can this cockpit hold the vast fields of France?”, intoned actor Anthony Hopkins at a unique ceremony today the ground breaking for a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre being built on the original site. The lines, from the prologue to William Shakespeare’s “Henry V” opened the ceremony, in which Queen Elizabeth’s husband Prince Philip planted and Oak timber post from the Royal Park of Windsor Castle.
It marked the climax of a 17year struggle by American actor and director Sam Wanamaker to reconstruct the 16th century open-air theatre where many of Shakespeare’s plays were first performed.
“We aim to create a memorial to the world’s greatest playwright on the environs where his plays were created”, said Sir David Orr, Chairman of the Shakespeare Globe Trust which is spearheading the project.
The British weather provided a dreary backdrop for the ceremony on the South bank of the Thames directly opposite St. Paul’s Cathedral. Rain fell steadily from a grey sky, forcing the audience of ministers, ambassadors and theatrical personalities to take refuge under umbrellas.
The Oak beam dropped into place by Prince Philip completed a circle of 25 marking the perimeter of the new theatre, which organizers hope will be completed by 1992.
CORRECTION WSO NATIONAL COUNGIL
S.Surinder Pal Singh Kalra and not S. Harjap Singh Sanga was elected to the W.S.O. National Council. Sardar Kalra represents Chicago Chapter. S. Raghbir Singh Dhillon, representing Hamshire Chapter, was also elected to the National Council. His name was inadvertently left out. The error and the omission are regretted.
Addressed to: Mr. Ciske, F/C/D Oxford, P.O. Box 500 (1000), Oxford, WI 53952.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 24, 1987
