Category Archives: Legacy

Revisiting Shakespeare’s restless world: an era in objects

Most books on the subject of the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods include chapters on seafaring and exploration, religious change, war, medicine and government, supported by illustrations of maps, religious paintings, contemporary buildings, portraits and printed works. The head of the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Shakespeare's World | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Revisiting Shakespeare’s restless world: an era in objects

Stay passenger, why goest thou by so fast? A taste of history at Holy Trinity Church

Stay passenger, why goest thou by so fast? This line begins the English verse beneath the figure of Shakespeare on his monument. It was designed to draw attention to the grave of Shakespeare “with whome, quick nature dide”. Ironically, for … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Shakespeare’s crows and hateful ravens

When Shakespeare wanted to conjure up a sense of foreboding he often used the image of the birds of the crow family: crows, magpies, ravens and rooks. Lady Macbeth chillingly predicts the King’s murder: The raven himself is hoarse That … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Shakespeare’s crows and hateful ravens

Elizabeth 1 and her people

Our fascination with the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods shows no sign of abating.  Lives of the monarch and courtiers have always been recorded but in recent years it’s apparent that there is much evidence for the lives of ordinary citizens … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Shakespeare's World, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Elizabeth 1 and her people

Shakespeare and the National Theatre

On 15 October it was announced that Rufus Norris was to be appointed to the most important job in UK theatre, as Artistic Director of the National Theatre, taking over in April 2015. Then next week, on 22nd October the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Shakespeare on Stage | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Shakespeare and the National Theatre

Screening Shakespeare: to adapt or not to adapt?

Last week, the Stratford Shakespeare Club’s monthly lecture was given by Daniel Rosenthal, the author of  Shakespeare on Screen and the BFI Screen Guide 100 Shakespeare Films. In her foreword to the latter book the director of Titus, Julie Taymor, claims that “Shakespeare is … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Screening Shakespeare: to adapt or not to adapt?

If music and sweet poetry agree: Stratford-upon-Avon’s Festival

On Saturday morning Stratford-upon-Avon’s Music Festival began with a Festival Fanfare entitled Lend Me Your Ears, played by the brass ensemble from King Edward VI School. Performed on the steps of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre it was a reminder of … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Shakespeare on Stage, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Libraries for Shakespeare

A week ago I went to take a first look at the new Library of Birmingham and its Shakespeare Memorial Room. I was a little apprehensive that it would have the appearance of a branch of Waterstones or even a shopping … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Shakespeare’s histories onscreen: An Age of Kings, The Hollow Crown and Richard II

I’ve just heard the great news that An Age of Kings, the first filmed history cycle, is finally about to be made available on DVD to the UK (Region 2). Perversely, the series has been on sale in the USA … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

State of Play: UK theatre audiences and actors

Last week a new report looking at the ways in which the ages and opinions of  theatre audiences are changing was published. State of Play: Theatre UK, was produced by Ticketmaster, who are not surprisingly interested to know who’s buying the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Shakespeare on Stage | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment