William Shakespeare's plays to be performed in 38 languages

London, Jan 21 (ANI): All of William Shakespeare's plays are to be performed in 38 languages as part of 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

It is the most ambitious multilingual Shakespeare project ever attempted by the Shakespeare's Globe.

Dominic Dromgoole, artistic director of the Globe, said it was "a terrifically clear and simple and slightly bananas idea", but one, he hoped, that would show how Shakespeare has become an international language.

The plans for the Olympic year were revealed today as the Globe, which also celebrates its 15th birthday in 2012, announced a 7m pounds fundraising campaign for a 320-seat indoor Jacobean theatre.

Planning for the lottery funded 2012 Shakespeare season is well advanced, with agreements in place for 'The Tempest' to be performed in Arabic, 'Titus Andronicus' in Cantonese, 'Julius Caesar' in Italian, 'Henry VIII' in Spanish, 'King Lear' in Aboriginal and 'Taming of the Shrew' in Urdu with Nadia Jamil, a Pakistani TV star, playing Katherine.

There will also be something of a first when 'Love's Labour's Lost' is performed in British sign language by the Deafinitely Theatre company.

"Shakespeare has proved one of the most life-affirming and barrier-transcending ways that people can speak to one another," the Guardian quoted Dromgoole, as saying.

"His plays have been translated into every major living language and there is a long tradition of Shakespeare performances around the world in people's own vernacular."

The actor Zoe Wanamaker-daughter of Sam-who is honorary president of Shakespeare's Globe, said, "The indoor Jacobean theatre is a vitally important contribution to the Globe project. The whole idea of the theatre world in which Shakespeare and his contemporaries worked is incomplete without it." (ANI)