Tag Archives: Shakespeare Centre Library and Archive

John Gerarde’s History of Plants and other herbals

A valuable aspect of the debate about the proposed new lifetime portrait of Shakespeare is the interest it has raised in John Gerarde’s Herball. The previous Director of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Roger Pringle, and his wife Marian (Senior Librarian … Continue reading

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Motley’s the only wear: Shakespeare and design

The name Motley will be familiar to anyone interested in twentieth-century theatre design, or in the history of Shakespeare on stage. This all-female group designed for straight plays, Broadway musicals, ballets, operas and even films over a period of forty … Continue reading

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Warwickshire witchcraft: Macbeth and the mystery of Meon Hill

“And over there, the hill with the flat top, that’s Meon Hill”. The guide at the top of the RSC’s tower didn’t need to say more, knowing we were locals. With our guest for the weekend we were admiring the … Continue reading

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Music for Shakespeare’s Henry V: Val Brodie’s discoveries

One of the quiet pleasures of being a librarian is the satisfaction of finding an elusive fact for a reader, or helping them make a discovery about a previously unrecognised item. The Shakespeare Centre Library and Archive holds quite a number … Continue reading

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Sorrow, pitiful sorrow; the burning of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre

In the early afternoon of Saturday 6 March 1926 a man was cycling down Chapel Lane in Stratford when he spotted smoke coming from the roof of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in front of him. He immediately took action to … Continue reading

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Charles Dickens, Shakespeare and Stratford-upon-Avon

Celebrations for the 7 February bicentenary of Charles Dickens’ birth are taking place all round the world. His exuberant language, eccentric characters, and gripping, often mysterious story lines, combined with his wacky sense of humour and desire for social justice, … Continue reading

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Clowning around: Charles Dickens, Joseph Grimaldi and Shakespeare

At 3pm on Sunday 5 February the greatest clown in the history of England, Joseph Grimaldi will be remembered at the annual Clowns Service which takes place at Holy Trinity Church, Dalston, London. Here’s a link to the Flickr page. … Continue reading

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How chances it they travel? Players in Stratford-upon-Avon

Historian Dr Robert Bearman has contributed today’s post, which revolves around a chance discovery which he made recently in the Shakespeare Centre Library and Archive. Those wishing to know more about Shakespeare’s life may fantasise about making a major archival … Continue reading

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Still harping on First Folios with Eric Rasmussen

Not many books in themselves become the focus of other people’s work, but the 1623 edition of Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories and Tragedies, commonly known as the  First Folio, is no ordinary book. Professor Eric Rasmussen has just paid a flying … Continue reading

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Was Shakespeare a soldier?

The one-man play Being Shakespeare is just reaching the end of its run at the Trafalgar Studios. It’s a real tour de force by distinguished actor Simon Callow who switches effortlessly from narrative to speeches from Shakespeare’s plays, bringing characters … Continue reading

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