His infinite Variety

Mark Rylance - Monday 2.30pm

Rylance was the Globe Theatre's first Artistic Director, from 1995 to 2005. During his time, he introduced new writers to the Globe's repertoire, and produced several all-male productions, including Twelfth Night (in which he performed Olivia). Rylance's award-winning acting roles have included Benedick, in Much Ado About Nothing (Olivier Award for best actor); David Kelly in The Government Inspector (Bafta for best actor); and Robert in Boeing Boeing (Tony Award for best actor). He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Cleopatra, at the Globe in 1999.

In 2007, Rylance and Derek Jacobi unveiled their 'Declaration of Reasonable Doubt' on the authorship of the works of William Shakespeare, which has since grown to include 1653 signatories (of whom 294 are academics). This Declaration states 'that the identity of William Shakespeare should, henceforth, be regarded in academia as a legitimate issue for research and publication, and an appropriate topic for instruction and discussion in classrooms.' The next signing deadline is November 15th 2009.

Rylance will discuss his views on all things Shakespearean, and workshop some of his (and Complicité's) ideas on Endgame, in which he is currently appearing.