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Super-duper department store Selfridges never ceases to amaze us. We thought that the talking water fountain in the food hall was bonkers enough but now it's gone and installed a theatre in the basement and even rappers on 'Cribs' aren't as fancy as that. The move from shopping to the stage comes as part of its celebration of Shakespeare's 400th birthday and is part of a store-wide campaign which sees the beautiful windows dedicated to the Bard's work, plus a whole load of other seriously great stuff. Like this clutch (below) inspired by Baz Luhrmann's Leo-starring-version of 'Romeo and Juliet' from London faux-fur enthusiasts Shrimps, who along with the likes of Liam Hodges and Astrid Andersen, has created an exclusive range for Selfridges.
But it's not just things to buy: the builders will be in to turn the Ultralounge into the reFASHIONed Theatre, which will be home to a programme of events of epic proportions:
Act 1: The Workshop Programme
RADA, one of the world's best drama schools (Alan Rickman and Sophie Okenodo studied there) is pitching up for a couple of weeks from July 4 and running a brilliant series of classes. We especially like the sound of Stage Combat Demonstration where fight directors spill their secrets on how to land the perfect blow without actually lamping someone.
Selfridges has also teamed up with The Faction, one of the UK's most exciting emerging theatre companies, who will be in residence for five weeks from July 18. For the following five weeks they will be performing pop-up shows, hosting workshops and even letting customers spy on their rehearsals.
Act 2: The Performances
From August 23 until September 24 you'll be able to go to the theatre for real and see The Faction's version of one of Shakespeare's most famous comedies 'Much Ado About Nothing'. But even more excitingly, the space is set to play host to some of London's best new musicians who perform sets that rework Shakespeare's poetry and lyricism into stories for the here and now:
Rejjie Snow will perform on Wed July 20.
Novelist will perform on Thursday August 11.
Krept and Konan will be in store on Thursday September 1.
And if that's not enough, have a look at some of the brilliant window displays:
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Romeo and Juliet
A Winter's Tale