Shakespeare in Malawi

This book critically examines the forces and events that led to Shakespeare performance becoming an important part of the contemporary Malawian cultural and educational landscape. It brings together archive material, interviews, existing literature and practice as research to understand, examine and interrogate theories of ‘intercultural theatre’ and post-colonial theories, to highlight the unique practice of Shakespeare production in Malawi. A timeline of Shakespeare productions in Malawi is included, spanning the colonialist period through to the present day. The book explores local adaptations of As You Like It and Macbeth and the translation into Chichewa of Romeo and Juliet, providing a unique insight into the practice and methodologies of Malawian Shakespeare translation, including the role of women as performers and artists. It looks at the current state of drama and theatre in Malawi and what the future of Shakespeare in Malawi might look like.


Amy Bonsall holds a doctorate in intercultural theatre, is a freelance theatre director, is Professor (Hon) at the University of Kent and is an honorary research fellow at Royal Holloway, University of London. She is an expert in applied theatre, arts based practice in research and women in academia.