Monthly Archives: March 2013

Shakespeare in cartoons: the story of Bruce Bairnsfather

I’m always surprised to find how many links there are between Stratford, Shakespeare and other creative people. Recently I heard from Mark Warby who has provided me with the following information about one of these, the famous First World War … Continue reading

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The Hollow Crown: popularising Shakespeare on TV

Whenever an actor best known for film or TV work is cast to perform in Shakespeare there’s always a debate about whether celebrity casting is a good or a bad thing. Should, in particular, theatres, employ celebrities in an obvious … Continue reading

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Looking back and forward: the Birmingham Rep at 100

I spent Saturday in Birmingham, at the Old Repertory Theatre in Station  Street, which this year celebrates its centenary. A couple of weeks ago I wrote a blog about the history of Barry Jackson’s great theatre. The keynote speech was … Continue reading

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Visiting Shakespeare’s Stratford treasures

The question of how to celebrate the life and work of Shakespeare in the town of his birth is one that has caused much deliberation over the centuries. In 1847 the Birthplace, that “heart-stirring relic” was purchased for the nation … Continue reading

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Shakespeare at New Place: making the house a home

You can tell a lot, can’t you, about people from the inside of their houses, and what they choose to put there?  The TV programme Through the Keyhole is jokily based on the idea that it’s possible to deduce the … Continue reading

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Henry V, Edwards’ Boys and World War 1

This past weekend an extraordinary series of performances of Henry V has been staged in Stratford-upon-Avon, for once almost unrelated to the RSC or the SBT, the leading Shakespeare organisations in the town, but all to do with Shakespeare’s school, … Continue reading

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Celebrating Barry Jackson at the Birmingham Rep and the Shakespeare Memorial

This year the Birmingham Repertory Theatre celebrates its centenary, and over the weekend of 23 and 24 March there is to be a series of talks, discussions and an exhibition to be held at the original theatre in Station Street. … Continue reading

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Shakespeare’s Hamlet: productions for their own time

This week the actor Jonathan Slinger, who in the last 10 years has played many of Shakespeare’s leading roles including Richard III, Prospero and Macbeth, is taking on  Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Any new production is always met … Continue reading

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Shakespeare’s silly sheep: the royal connections

This week’s TV programme Countryfile was guest edited by the Prince of Wales, giving him the opportunity to explore issues about the countryside and farming that are close to his heart. The prince is also a great lover of Shakespeare, … Continue reading

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Souvenirs of Shakespeare: “I’ll have his picture”

Whenever we visit an unusual place or special event, we buy a souvenir. We may want to show off to our friends, or just to have something to remind us of the occasion. The first proper Shakespeare souvenirs were the … Continue reading

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