Category Archives: Stratford-upon-Avon

Shakespeare and the staff of life

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

Drought, crop failure, disease. The TV shows pictures of helpless people trying to dig in soil as dry as dust: unless international action is taken to help they will soon become heart-wrenching images of starving children. In Kenya alone there … Continue reading →

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Shakespeare’s minds diseased: mental illness and its treatment

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

Shakespeare was clearly fascinated by mental illness, many characters displaying a variety of symptoms from Lear’s madness, Jaques’ melancholy, Timon’s bitter cursing, Macbeth’s visions and Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking, to the obsessiveness of Leontes.  It’s usually accepted that Shakespeare was influenced in medical matters by … Continue reading →

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International Women’s day: remembering Mary Cowden Clarke

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

Every year on 8 March International Women’s Day celebrates the achievements of women. All round the world women still suffer serious inequality, and education is one area to which even in the Western world women were denied equal access until … Continue reading →

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Sorrow, pitiful sorrow; the burning of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

In the early afternoon of Saturday 6 March 1926 a man was cycling down Chapel Lane in Stratford when he spotted smoke coming from the roof of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in front of him. He immediately took action to … Continue reading →

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Farewell to the majestic cedar

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

It’s sad to report that the Cedar of Lebanon tree which stands in the garden of Shakespeare’s Birthplace has to be taken down later this week. It’s a real focal point of the garden, forming the backdrop for countless photographs, … Continue reading →

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Marie Corelli and Shakespeare on World Book Day

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

Today is World Book Day, so it’s a good opportunity to look at an author, almost forgotten now, but who 100 years ago outsold just about everybody. Stratford-upon-Avon 100 years ago attracted literary tourists who were interested, not in Shakespeare, but … Continue reading →

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Ira Aldridge, Shakespearean actor and gentleman of colour

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

The black actor Ira Aldridge is now recognised as one of the most remarkable interpreters of Shakespeare’s leading roles. He first appeared on the London stage as Othello in 1825, and remained associated with the role for the rest of his … Continue reading →

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Players in Stratford-upon-Avon: Robert Bearman’s latest discoveries

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

A few weeks ago Dr Robert Bearman wrote a piece for this blog explaining that he had rediscovered some evidence about touring companies visiting Stratford-upon-Avon in Shakespeare’s lifetime. He’s now found some more intriguing evidence relating to Stratford Corporation’s attitude to … Continue reading →

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Daniel Radcliffe and the story of child actors: Young Roscius comes of age

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe is making the transition to adult actor, starring in the newly-released film The Woman in Black. He seems to have survived the experience of spending his teenage years acting in this successful series of films … Continue reading →

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Charles Dickens, Shakespeare and Stratford-upon-Avon

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

Celebrations for the 7 February bicentenary of Charles Dickens’ birth are taking place all round the world. His exuberant language, eccentric characters, and gripping, often mysterious story lines, combined with his wacky sense of humour and desire for social justice, … Continue reading →

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