The Birthplace before its restoration, around 1847
Fresh for 2017, there is quite a crop of new ideas and events for the Shakespeare-lover in Stratford-upon-Avon. In particular, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust have come up with some different ideas to be held at the Shakespeare Centre in Henley Street.
SBT Research Conversations
These are thirty-minute free sessions in which you will find out more about the Shakespeare and Stratford-upon-Avon-related research taking place at The Shakespeare Centre and in the wider world. They comprise a thirty-minute presentation followed by up to thirty minutes for questions and discussion. No booking required, just turn up.
These are the first two in a series that will take place at The Shakespeare Centre each month (except April) from 5.00pm to 6.00pm.
Wednesday 19th April, 5-6pm – Dr Tara Hamling and Dr Cathryn Enis (University of Birmingham), ‘Shakespeare’s Lost Domesticity and the Mulberry Trees of New Place.’
Wednesday 10th May, 5-6pm – Professor Ewan Fernie (University of Birmingham), ‘The Birthplace and Revolution.’
On Saturday 20 May, SBT is holding a one-day Conference: The Faith of William Shakespeare. On the 500th anniversary of the Reformation this conference will explore what that important event meant to Shakespeare and Stratford-upon-Avon.
Professor Peter Marshall (University of Warwick) will present an overview of religion during Shakespeare’s time; Professor Graham Holderness (University of Hertfordshire) will talk about Shakespeare’s Calvinism; Dr Tara Hamling (University of Birmingham) will curate a special exhibition based on Reformation-related material from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s Collections; Professor Ann Hughes (Keele University) considers Stratford-upon-Avon’s Puritans; Dr Jonathan Willis (University of Birmingham) discusses public worship; Dr Cathryn Enis (University of Birmingham) will speak about friendships at a time of religious division; and Dr Robert Bearman (Honorary Fellow, The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust) will talk about religion and Shakespeare’s daily mind. The conference is hosted by Dr Paul Edmondson, Head of Research, The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
The cost is only £25.00 (£20.00 SBT Friends), including refreshments (not lunch), and participants will receive a copy of Graham Holderness’s new book, The Faith of William Shakespeare. The Conference will take place at The Wolfson Hall in The Shakespeare Centre. Doors open at 9.45am and the first session will begin at 10am. The day will finish at 5pm. Bookings can be made for the conference via the website
Meanwhile, over at the Royal Shakespeare Company it’s worth remembering their own blend of talks and activities from the family-friendly exhibition The Play’s the Thing to Director talks sessions and post-show talks. Full information is to be found at the RSC’s website.
