Monthly Archives: December 2013

In memory of Reg Foakes

  I’m sitting here with my Arden Edition of King Lear, probably the most authoritative edition of the play ever published. Its editor, Reg Foakes (R A Foakes on the title page) died over Christmas at his home in Stratford-upon-Avon aged … Continue reading

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Open access and going digital in 2013

Looking back over 2013, there’s been a noticeable increase in Libraries, Museums and Archives making their digital collections available online. Organisations have been digitising their collections for years, and no wonder, since this potentially increases access to collections while simultaneously … Continue reading

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Shakespeare in Italy

  No sooner is Christmas Day over but we start to look forward to longer, warmer days, and here’s a suggestion – a fortnight in Italy at the height of summer, studying Shakespeare with some distinguished performers, educators and directors. And at … Continue reading

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Michael Drayton’s Poly-olbion

On 23 December 1631 the poet Michael Drayton died at his lodgings in Fleet Street, London. He was so highly regarded by his contemporaries that he was buried in Westminster Abbey with some ceremony. According to an account of his funeral, … Continue reading

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Astrology at the winter solstice

This weekend is the winter solstice, the turn of the year after which days begin to lengthen again (at least for those of us in the northern hemisphere). It’s a perfect time to enjoy a wonderful illuminated book now kept … Continue reading

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Shakespeare’s Hamlet and the charisma of acting

Since the the death of Peter O’Toole was announced on Sunday the media have been full of reminiscences of him. It’s noticeable that he is remembered for his larger-than-life character and skills as a raconteur almost as much as for his … Continue reading

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Shakespeare, gloves, textiles and trade

Now we’re in the grip of winter most of us don’t venture out for a walk without being muffled up in hats, scarves and gloves. While scarves are fashionable adornments at any time of year, hats and gloves are usually … Continue reading

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Christmas shopping for Shakespeare-lovers

In case you’re still looking for Shakespeare-related Christmas presents for your nearest and dearest (or yourself), there are plenty to choose from. Top of my list is the DVD set of An Age of Kings, the fifteen-part BBC series from … Continue reading

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Shakespeare in Germany

No country outside the UK can boast a longer history of involvement with Shakespeare than Germany. During Shakespeare’s lifetime companies of English players performed at the courts of German princes, and there were even purpose-built playhouses remarkably like English playhouses … Continue reading

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Shakespeare, collaboration and the apocryphal plays

The question “how many plays did Shakespeare write?” is not an easy one to answer. The First Folio includes 36 plays, but I’ve always been intrigued by the list of additional plays on the title page of the Third Folio … Continue reading

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