Shakespeare's Globe's "Hamlet" Takes on the States with Help from Anglo Pacific
London's stripped-down Hamlet production went down a treat in the States and specialist theatrical movers Anglo Pacific were delighted to offer behind-the-scenes shipping assistance.
MALAGA, SPAIN, January 30, 2013
The Washington Post wrote "fast and furious at the Folger" and the LA Times admired a "fresh-faced approach" to Shakespeare. It seems that London's stripped-down Hamlet production went down a treat in the States and specialist theatrical movers Anglo Pacific were delighted to offer behind-the-scenes shipping assistance.Running from September to November last year, Shakespeare's Globe's touring production of Hamlet took in seven venues across North America from Washington to Boston, Santa Barbara to Santa Monica. As with any portable performance, the delivery of costumes and props from A to B (and C, D, E...) was vital to keep the show on the road and Paul Russell, Production Manager for Shakespeare's Globe, always opts for Anglo Pacific's reliable, professional service.
"I have worked with Anglo Pacific for many years, stretching back to the days when I organised international tours for the Young Vic in London Waterloo," says Paul. "Unlike many other industries, our deadlines are immovable and logistics is crucial. When touring overseas in particular, the margins are very fine financially and the penalties for cancelling a performance are incredibly severe. Customs are always a big unknown, varying according to the country in question, and awkward situations such as previously having to send someone to the docks in Australia with a spray bottle of wood insecticide to treat scenery before customs clearance are those we can do without. We rely on expert guidance from Anglo Pacific to avoid glitches and hitches."
Paul continues, "I would highly recommend Anglo Pacific's sea and air freight services, not only for the efficient shipping they do but also for invaluable advice when they won't. On this latest Hamlet tour the producers added in a week in Mexico City with just three weeks' notice. Anglo Pacific gave an unequivocal "don't even try" saying they couldn't guarantee getting the stuff in or out. This is the kind of direction I need sometimes so Mexico went ahead with locally-sourced props and no scenery - the most sensible option."
Performed on an Elizabethan booth stage, influenced by paintings and etchings from Shakespeare's time, Shakespeare's Globe's touring production of Hamlet follows the pattern of the Globe's tours from 400 years ago beginning in the UK, followed by Europe and ending up in the States. To find out more about the Globe's schedule for 2013 including treats such as King Lear and The Taming of the Shrew visit: http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/theatre/on-tour
About Anglo Pacific - Anglo Pacific has honed the specialised art of theatrical and exhibition forwarding to perfection. Whether you're transporting scenery and props around Russia for a national opera company or the paraphernalia surrounding a troupe of acrobats, actors and dancers on a tour of third world nations, Anglo Pacific has the science of shipping all worked out. However complex, whatever the pressures are in terms of timescales and geography, send us your equipment list and itinerary and allow our friendly experts to guide you.
Contact Steve Perry at Anglo Pacific on 020 8838 8084, email performingarts@anglopacific.co.uk or visit http://www.anglopacific.co.uk.