Sir Mark Rylance, Jude Law and Joely Richardson are among the stars who will re-enact famous speeches at the Globe theatre to mark a peace day.
Directed by Oscar-winner Sir Mark, the performance will use extracts from “peacemaking” speeches by orators including Martin Luther King Jr.
The speeches will feature during an event on Saturday for Peace One Day, a non-profit organisation that has campaigned for more recognition of the UN’s International Day of Peace.
Martin Luther King Jr’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech in 1964, in which he says: “I refuse to accept the notion that nation after nation must spiral down a militaristic stairway into the hell of destruction”, will be read by Moonlight star André Holland.
Sir Mark said: “Our actors have chosen words from Shakespeare to speeches that inspired ceasefire in the First World War. The audience will also hear extracts from Nobel Peace Prize-winning lectures.” To finish the event, musicians including Sting, Will Young, Jack Savoretti and Emeli Sandée will perform live on the stage.
Sting, who is headlining the event, said: “It’s a pleasure to perform in celebration of Peace One Day’s efforts to bring the world together on this day of unity. Having travelled the globe through my career, I’ve seen how music can unite communities.”
