Shakespeare Goes Manga!

From the British Council news of events I'm sure many of you will be interested in:

MANGA SHAKESPEARE

Bringing to life the great Bard’s words!

To kick start 2008, British Council has something for Shakespeare enthusiasts and manga fans alike with Manga Shakespeare. Published by UK-based SelfMadeHero, Manga Shakespeare is a series of graphic novel adaptations that fuses classic Shakespeare with manga visuals in cutting-edge adaptations, drawing inspiration from trend-setting Japan. Using Shakespeare's original texts, this series brings to life the great Bard's words. The collection includes Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, Richard III, The Tempest and A Mid-Summer Nights’ Dream. Emma Hayley (Director, SelfMadeHero) and Paul Duffield (Artist for The Tempest) will be in Kuala Lumpur 23 to 26 January 2008 to run workshops and will meet the public at a bookshop talk.

Meet Emma Hayley and Paul Duffield!

Date : Wednesday, 23 January 2008
Time : 8.00 p.m.
Venue : Kinokuniya Bookstore, Suria KLCC
Admission : This event is free Emma and Paul will be at Kino’s to talk about Manga Shakespeare and sign books.
If you’re a Manga/Comic artist, bring your best artwork and the Top 3 as selected by Emma and Paul will win Kinokuniya vouchers.

Illustrating graphic novels and manga for aspiring artists – workshop by Paul Duffield

Date : Saturday 26 January 2008
Time : 10.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Venue : Dram Projects, Happy Mansion, Section 17, Petaling Jaya
Admission : This event is free. Participants should be 16 years old and above.

This workshop is for the casual manga or comics hobbyists with an interest in learning more. Paul will take participants through drawing exercises that focus on observing and drawing the figure, the process of designing a character, and producing a character sheet with turn-arounds, costumes and notes.

The workshop is free but space is limited. If you’d like to be a part of this workshop, please contact us via email (arts@britishcouncil.org.my) letting us know a bit about your background and interest manga/comics/graphics/drawing/doodling and a sample of your work.

We’re also running a graphic story competition in conjunction with Manga Shakespeare - watch this space for more details! In the meantime, send us an email at arts@britishcouncil.org.my if you have further queries.

More about Emma and Paul:

Paul Duffield is an illustrator and animator who takes influence from a fusion of manga and european comics. After graduating from a BA in animation at Kingston, he went on to win both Tokyopop's Rising Stars of Manga, and the International Manga and Anime Festival grand prizes, and is now at work on several upcoming publications.

With a background in journalism, film PR, and as editorial director for a number of publishers, Emma Hayley launched SelfMadeHero in March 2007 with the first titles in the Manga Shakespeare series - Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet. She was recently shortlisted as Young Publisher of the Year in the British Book Industry Awards.