Tag Archives: theatre

The Old Vic at 200

11 May 2018 is the 200th anniversary of the opening of one of the most important theatres in the UK, known as the Old Vic. It was originally named the Royal Coburg Theatre, after Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg and his … Continue reading

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BBC Theatre Month now on

On Saturday 31 October 2015  the BBC screened a new adaptation of Ronald Harwood’s play The Dresser, famously made into a film. It tells the story of one fateful night in a provincial repertory theatre during World War 2, and … Continue reading

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Plays and performances in Shakespeare’s theatres

I recently wrote about how Shakespeare leaves gaps within the text which actors are able to fill using their own imaginations. I’ve been reading a book that describes how theatres themselves contributed to the writing and performance of plays, an … Continue reading

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Theatre, democracy and Shakespeare

Dr Michael Scott’s BBC4 series Ancient Greece: the Greatest Show on Earth, looking at theatre in the classical world, has reached the Roman period. This is only available to download until 27 February, though you will then have a few weeks … Continue reading

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The last of the actor-managers taking Shakespeare on tour: Donald Wolfit

Until relatively recently theatrical companies in England were run by actor-managers who performed with their own companies in London, at theatres in the regions, and abroad. According to Hesketh Pearson, in his book The Last Actor-Managers, “most of them won their … Continue reading

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The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stitches: celebrating costume

Three cheers for the RSC’s latest linked exhibitions, In Stitches, A celebration of RSC Costume. The first, Into the Wild, highlights the twentieth-century Shakespeare costume through thirty-five examples drawn from the RSC Collection, while Costume Craft  illustrates the processes by … Continue reading

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Speaking of comfort: theatre, Shakespeare and the audience experience

When you go to the theatre, do you have your favourite seat? Many of us have a preference, to sit upstairs, or to be down near the stage, at any rate. Back in Shakespeare’s theatres you would have been able … Continue reading

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