Category Archives: Stratford-upon-Avon

Shakespeare’s Coriolanus and the bawdy court of Stratford

After reading about the government of the town in Shakespeare’s day as revealed in Mulryne’s book The Guild and Guild Buildings of Shakespeare’s Stratford I decided to find out more about a related subject, the Ecclesiastical Court which was held … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Shakespeare's World, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Shakespeare’s Coriolanus and the bawdy court of Stratford

Lunching with Shakespeare: Stratford’s Birthday Celebrations

It’s recently been announced that Stratford’s traditional Birthday Luncheon for 500 people will not be held this year. It’s an event that has been part of the annual festivities for as long as I can remember. In fact celebrating Shakespeare’s … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Lunching with Shakespeare: Stratford’s Birthday Celebrations

The Shakespeare Head Press: a link to Stratford’s past

As visitors to Stratford walk between the Shakespeare Hotel and Nash’s House, they pass a handsome building housing a second-hand bookshop. The sign hanging up outside bears a picture of Chaucer, and the shop is known as the Chaucer Head … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Shakespeare's World, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The Shakespeare Head Press: a link to Stratford’s past

Timbuktu and Shakespeare for National Libraries Day

At last a news item in which Librarians are the heroes of the day, and in the same week as National Libraries Day too! The city of Timbuktu in Mali is of significance for the whole continent of Africa. Official … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Timbuktu and Shakespeare for National Libraries Day

Touring performances in Shakespeare’s town

It’s refreshing to be made to rethink something you have always accepted as fact, and J R Mulryne’s The Guild and Guild Buildings of Shakespeare’s Stratford challenges some of the received wisdom about these ancient buildings. This is true throughout … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Shakespeare on Stage, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Touring performances in Shakespeare’s town

Shakespeare’s school: new discoveries

This is the second post I’m writing about the new book, J R Mulryne’s The Guild and Guild Buildings of Shakespeare’s Stratford: Society, Religion, School and Stage, published by Ashgate. The first can be found here. The fame of this … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Shakespeare's World, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Announcing the future of the RSC: David Tennant, Hilary Mantel and costume

Wednesday morning was an important one for Shakespeare-lovers, with the new team at the RSC, Artistic Director Gregory Doran, Deputy Artistic Director Erica Whyman and Executive Director Catherine Mallyon setting out their plans. There’s a link to the main announcement here … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Shakespeare on Stage, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Stratford’s Guild: the background to Shakespeare’s town

Any guide to the town of Stratford-upon-Avon will mention the buildings of the Guild of the Holy Cross and their association with William Shakespeare and his family. For it was here Shakespeare almost certainly received his education and here he probably … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Shakespeare's World, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Share
Posted in Shakespeare on Stage, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Comic artists with a sense of Shakespeare’s poetry: Des Barrit and George R Weir

This week I finally caught up with the RSC’s joyful production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. It was the company’s grown-up Christmas extravaganza and if you have the chance, there are still a couple of performances which are guaranteed … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Plays and Poems, Shakespeare on Stage, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Comic artists with a sense of Shakespeare’s poetry: Des Barrit and George R Weir