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The Globe Theatre, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT

Over six weeks, 37 international companies will present every one of Shakespeare's plays in a different language

Part of the World Shakespeare Festival (WSF) – a celebration of the Bard as the world’s playwright – this major international programme produced by Shakespeare’s Globe begins two days before the illustrious dramatist’s birthday. For the first time ever in a single theatre season, all the plays of Shakespeare will be performed, each in a different language and by a different company from around the world.

We asked theatre specialist Claudia Coelho for her picks of what to see at this multilingual project.

Macbeth by Teatr im. Kochanowskiego (Polish)

In Maja Kleczewskiej’s sharply modern production, the corridors of Dunsinane are filled with transvestites, addicts and tracksuited gangsters, and the nights are chaotic with raves and binges. ‘Opole – where the Teatr im. Kochanowskiego are from – was once home to the avant garde director Jerzy Grotowski. This pop culture interpretation – following Biuro Podróży and Song of the Goat’s productions at the National Theatre and Barbican respectively – continues a growing tradition of Polish Macbeths in London,’ says Claudia.

Julius Caesar by I Termini Company. Benvenuti / Lungta Production in collaboration with Teatro di Roma (Italian)

‘This is a fantastic opportunity to see this historical tragedy performed in its ‘native’ language,’ comments Claudia. In a sparse new translation by prize-winning playwright Vincenzo Manna, Andrea Barraco's Julius Caesar is set in a surreal yet contemporary Rome. The production will perform at the prestigious Teatro di Roma prior to the Globe.

Othello by Q Brothers and Chicago Shakespeare Theater/Richard Jordan Productions (hip hop)

The Q Brothers are America's leading re-interpreters of Shakespeare through hip hop. Claudia says: ‘Several years ago I saw their award-winning production of Bomb-itty of Errors – a rap version of Comedy of Errors – at the Ambassadors Theatre, which remains one of the most innovative productions that I have ever seen. I am hoping their re-telling of Othello can rival it.’

Cymbeline by The South Sudan Theatre Company (Juba Arabic)

In April 2011, after more than 50 years of violent struggle, the Republic of South Sudan became the world’s newest nation. Although English has been named South Sudan's official language, Juba Arabic remains the lingua franca. This fresh adaptation – led by the Ugandan poet, Taban Lo Liyong – draws on local dialects, modern slang and myth, to create a performance that resonates with contemporary life and politics in the fledgling country.

Love’s Labour’s Lost by Deafinitely Theatre (British Sign Language)

The pun-riddled text of Shakespeare’s early comedy has been magnificently translated into the physical language of BSL, creating a new interpretation that is accessible to all. Building a bridge between those who can and can’t hear, this is the first time that a whole play has been attempted. Claudia adds: ‘I believe this production of Love’s Labour’s Lost will be one of the most visually stunning shows of the festival; the use of sign language will turn the words into a dance.’

The public box office opens on Monday 13 February. The festival is offering a variety of Olympic-themed ticket plans, from a two-play ‘biathlon’ to a ‘marathon’ of 26 plays. Energetic theatregoers can see all 37 plays for £100 – if they are willing to stand. Tickets are expected to sell out and we are unable to access any options through the secondary market. Speak to a lifestyle manager now to book.

Venus and Adonis

21-22 April

Isango Ensemble – IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, SeSotho, Setswana, Afrikaans and South African English

Troilus and Cressida

23-24 April

Ngakau Toa – Maori

Measure for Measure

24-25 April

Vakhtangov Theatre – Russian

The Merry Wives of Windsor

25-26 April

Bitter Pill – Swahili

Pericles

26-27 April

National Theatre of Greece – Greek

Twelfth Night

27-28 April

Company Theatre – Hindi

Richard III

28-29 April

National Theatre of China – Mandarin

A Midsummer Night's Dream

30 April - 1 May

Yohangza Theatre Company – Korean

Julius Caesar

1-2 May

I Termini Company/Lungta Production – Italian

Cymbeline

2-3 May

The South Sudan Theatre Company – Juba Arabic

Titus Andronicus

3-4 May

Tang Shu-wing Theatre Studio – Cantonese

Richard II

4-5 May

Ashtar Theatre – Palestinian Arabic

Othello

5-6 May

Q Brothers, Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Richard Jordan Productions – hip hop

The Tempest

7-8 May

Dhaka Theatre – Bangla

Macbeth

8-10 May

Teatr im. Kochanowskiego – Polish

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

9-10 May

Two Gents Productions – Shona

Henry VI: A New Balkan Trilogy

11-13 May

National Theatre (Belgrade), National Theatre of Albania, National Theatre of Bitola – Serbian, Albanian and Macedonian

Henry IV: Part 1

14-15 May

Compañia Nacional de Teatro – Mexican Spanish

Henry IV: Part 2

15-16 May

Elkafka Espacio Teatral – Argentine Spanish

King John

16-17 May

Gabriel Sundukyan National Academic Theatre – Armenian

King Lear

17-18 May

Belarus Free Theatre – Belarusian

As You Like It

18-19 May

Marjanishvili Theatre – Georgian

Romeo and Juliet

19-20 May

Grupo Galpão – Brazilian Portuguese

Coriolanus

21-22 May

Chiten – Japanese

Love's Labour's Lost

22-23 May

Deafinitely Theatre – British Sign Language

All's Well That Ends Well

23-24 May

Arpana – Gujarati

The Winter's Tale

24-25 May

Renegade Theatre – Yoruba

The Taming of the Shrew

25-26 May

Theatre Wallay – Urdu

Anthony and Cleopatra

26-27 May

Oyun Atölyesi – Turkish

The Merchant of Venice

28-29 May

Habima National Theatre – Hebrew

Henry VIII

29-30 May

Rakata – Castilian Spanish

The Comedy of Errors

30-31 May

Roy-e-Sabs – Dari Persian

Timon of Athens

31 May - 1 June

Bremer Shakespeare Company – German

Much Ado About Nothing

1-2 June

Compagnie Hypermobile – French

Hamlet

2-3 June

Meno Fortas – Lithuanian

Henry V

8-9 June

Shakespeare's Globe – English