Tag Archives: Shakespeare Club

Shakespeare, politics and the history of Stratford-upon-Avon

The Shakespeare Club’s October meeting consisted of a lecture by historian Nicholas Fogg on  Shakespeare and politics. It was perhaps no surprise that he had decided to look at the subject through a historical perspective, suggesting that to understand Shakespeare’s views … Continue reading

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Stratford-upon-Avon’s historic Town Hall

Standing at the busy junction of Sheep Street, Chapel Street, Ely Street and High Street is Stratford’s Town Hall. From the outside it’s a dignified building built of Cotswold stone and facing towards the High Street, in a niche, is … 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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Congratulations to David Bradley!

It’s truly wonderful news that actor David Bradley has won a BAFTA after a forty-year career that has spanned theatre, TV and film. Not surprisingly, the award he won is Best Supporting Actor in the hit TV drama Broadchurch. David … Continue reading

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Shakespeare connections: Stratford-upon-Avon and Birmingham

During Shakespeare’s lifetime Birmingham was a town of a similar size to Stratford. But while Birmingham grew into a great centre of industry and innovation, Stratford remained a small country town. By 1851 nearly a quarter of a million people … Continue reading

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Taking to the streets with Shakespeare’s characters

Shakespeare celebrations in Stratford have taken many forms over the past two and a half centuries. I’ve written before about the history of holding feasts, an essential component of any party. But what’s also notable is the tradition of characters … Continue reading

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Celebrating Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon

2014 is quite rightly going to be dominated by the centenary of the outbreak of the first World War, but it’s also an important year for Shakespeare-lovers celebrating his 450th birthday. My ex-colleague Dr Susan Brock and I are currently … Continue reading

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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

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Shakespeare’s early reputation

Shakespeare is now so universally known, his reputation so unassailable, we naturally wonder how he was received during his own lifetime. Did his contemporaries realise that he would be remembered and celebrated centuries afterwards? This was the question, subtitled “What did … Continue reading

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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

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