Shakespeare's words to be launched into space

From Shakespeare's Globe to the spheres of space, the Bard's famous prose is set to travel hundreds of light years.

Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company will send an actor's recording of a passage from the playwright's political thriller Julius Caesar to the North Star on 30 December.

Transmitted in the form of binary code, the recording will include the famous line "I am constant as the northern star".

Although it will take 430 light years to reach its destination, director Leni Robson said: "Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company has always been passionate about carrying forward Shakespeare's legacy, but now we are truly carrying it into the future."

Julius Caesar was written in 1599 and is believed to be one of the first plays to be performed in the Globe Theatre in London.

The monologue to be beamed into space was recorded by actor Ian Currie, who will play the lead role in the adaptation of Julius Caeser at Markeaton Park, in Derby, in July 2026.

Ms Robson added: "Whoever encounters our transmission centuries from now thinks 'wow, look at the fun and creativity they had on planet Earth'.

"If anyone is out there, we hope they understand how vital art is to us as humans and how beautifully words can convey so much meaning.

"You never know, there may be life out there that could be trying to ping their own form of Shakespeare towards us."

The project is a collaboration with Star Bottle, a service that allows anyone to send a message into space using a dedicated antenna.

Domenico Zambarelli, CEO of Star Bottle, said: "We believe Julius Caesar was the first play to be performed at the Globe Theatre 430 years ago and, unbelievably, it will take the transmission 430 years to reach its stellar target.

"The timing could not be more perfect - almost as if it was written in the stars."

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