Tag Archives: Mark Rylance

Shakespeare the therapist

The idea that performing Shakespeare can help in the treatment of prisoners, ex-offenders and those suffering mental illnesses has been gaining popularity for several decades. Actors have often lead the way, with both Mark Rylance and Ian McKellen working actively … Continue reading

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New Year’s Honours for Shakespeare

At the beginning of 2017 the New Year’s Honours List was published in which the great and the good were recognised for their services. Following the successful 2016 Rio Olympics it was inevitable that many of those honoured would be … Continue reading

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Discord and dismay

It’s been a bad-tempered sort of week for those who take an interest in Shakespeare. On Sunday 23rd October actor and former Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe Mark Rylance launched into an attack on business sponsorship of the theatre in … Continue reading

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Reinterpreting Shakespeare – again

In 2013 Downton Abbey author Julian Fellowes was hauled over the coals for his film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, in which he rewrote large chunks of Shakespeare’s famous and much-loved play. His explanation just got him into more trouble: … Continue reading

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Shakespeare, culture, and a policy for the arts

Knowing the exact date in May 2015 of the next General Election has provoked discussions on topics that don’t get an airing during the usual month of campaigning before the big day. Recently, the arts has been the subject of these debates.  … Continue reading

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“Go ply thy needle”: embroidery in Tudor England

One of the great pleasures of the BBC series Wolf Hall, adapted from Hilary Mantel’s novels, has been to admire the costumes worn by the king and his court, from the scarlet robes of Cardinal Wolsey and the magnificence of … Continue reading

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Stephen Fry’s Shakespeare: from Cambridge Footlights to Twelfth Night at Shakespeare’s Globe

It seems Stephen Fry can do no wrong. Whether he’s fronting his comedy series QI, writing both fiction and factual books, tweeting, creating radio and TV documentaries or acting, his status as national treasure is assured. Speaking openly about the … Continue reading

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