Tag Archives: New Place

Dickens and the theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon

Nineteenth-century novelist Charles Dickens is particularly associated with the festive season. His “little Christmas book” A Christmas Carol was published in 1843 and with its larger than life characters, dramatic plot and heartwarming message, it was an instant success. It … Continue reading

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Shakespeare and the destructiveness of fire

Shakespeare uses fire as a metaphor for the energy of life as well as the destructiveness of death. He writes of the fires of purgatory, of the warming fire on the hearth and of the fires lit to tell of … Continue reading

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Late summer in Stratford-upon-Avon

The summer holidays are coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean that Shakespeare-related attractions are winding down. In fact Stratford-upon-Avon is a destination that thrives all year round and in all weathers.  In the year marking the 400th anniversary … Continue reading

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Celebrating 2016 in Stratford-upon-Avon: preparations begin

2016 will be the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, and preparations are well under way to celebrate in the town where he was born and died. Projects are afoot everywhere, and I’m going to write a couple of posts giving … Continue reading

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Keeping Shakespeare’s spirit alive at New Place, his final home

In August 2014 a further consultation is taking place on the future of New Place, Shakespeare’s last home, the final public consultation day being 30 August. Since the first consultation last year, I’ve spent a lot of time reading about … Continue reading

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Shakespeare’s mulberry and New Place

My current research on the development of celebrations for Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon has really focused my attention on the importance of the historic mulberry tree and the site of New Place in the story of the preservation of Shakespeare’s town. … Continue reading

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Shakespeare’s mulberries: trees of history and legend

Last Sunday, 4 August 2013, one of Stratford’s mulberry trees split in two. There are many ancient mulberries in the town, principally in the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s gardens, and they’re mostly propped up by metal or brick supports, making them look … Continue reading

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Shakespeare’s first female critic: Margaret Cavendish

Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle, is one of the less well-known early commentators on Shakespeare, yet her “Sociable Letter” on Shakespeare, published in 1664, is “the first critical essay ever to be published on Shakespeare”. This judgement appears in Women … Continue reading

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Planning for the future of Shakespeare’s town

The future of Stratford-upon-Avon is under discussion as never before, with two separate schemes currently under consideration. Anyone who cares about the history of the town and its Shakespearian heritage now has an opportunity to make their feelings known. Firstly, everyone is being encouraged to … 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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