The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) will reopen a theatre with a new play about the inner working of the famous playwright’s family life.The best-selling Hamnet book by Maggie O’Farrell will be adapted to run at the newly refurbished Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. The story pulls back the curtain in an imagined tale on the “neglected life” of William Shakespeare’s wife, … [Read more...] about Royal Shakespeare Company reopens theatre with play about the bard’s family life
Shakespeare
Royal Shakespeare Company announces new co-artistic directors for 2023
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has announced the appointment of Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey as its new co-artistic directors. Erica Whyman is currently the acting artistic director of the theatre company after Gregory Doran announced last September that he was taking a period of compassionate leave to care for his husband Sir Antony Sher. The theatre star later … [Read more...] about Royal Shakespeare Company announces new co-artistic directors for 2023
New Study says up to a third of Shakespeare’s plays ‘may have been co-authored’
Editor's Note: Because I'm sure we could all use a benign controversial distraction right now... I present this article from our PA Feed subscription with no opinion of my own... Up to a third of William Shakepeare’s plays may have been co-written by another author, analysis of the writing suggests. Experts have long suspected the playwright collaborated on a number of … [Read more...] about New Study says up to a third of Shakespeare’s plays ‘may have been co-authored’
Copy of Shakespeare’s First Folio worth up to £2 million to go up for auction
An original copy of William Shakespeare’s First Folio worth up to 2.5 million dollars (£2 million) is set to go under the hammer next month. The book, which was printed almost 400 years ago, is one of under 20 left in private hands, according to auction house Sotheby’s Curated by the world-famous writer’s trusted colleagues John Heminges and Henry Condell, the folio … [Read more...] about Copy of Shakespeare’s First Folio worth up to £2 million to go up for auction
Royal Shakespeare Company partners with TikTok to inspire new audiences
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has announced a new partnership with TikTok to help inspire the next generation of theatre audiences. As part of the collaboration, young people and students will be able to purchase £10 tickets to see an RSC show in the Stratford-upon-Avon theatre or in London from June. The RSC said the collaboration will deliver “unique creative and … [Read more...] about Royal Shakespeare Company partners with TikTok to inspire new audiences
Miniature castle built by soldier who inspired Shakespeare character saved
A miniature castle built by a soldier who inspired a character in William Shakespeare’s plays has been saved from collapse. Sir John Fastolf was immortalized in caricature by Shakespeare as the cowardly knight Sir John Falstaff in Henry IV parts one and two and in The Merry Wives Of Windsor. The real Fastolf served three English Kings – Henry IV, V, and VI – and fought in the … [Read more...] about Miniature castle built by soldier who inspired Shakespeare character saved
One Shakespearean’s Take on Ken Branagh’s Hamlet
To be, or not to be, that is the Question. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjHXIWLTsOk This marks my 1,000th column for Anglotopia. Shortly after I wrote my 500th column, a review of A Clockwork Orange, my all-time favourite film, I found myself wondering what the thousandth review would be. My next couple favourite films are actually set in America, and, of the British films … [Read more...] about One Shakespearean’s Take on Ken Branagh’s Hamlet
Telly News: The Complete BBC Shakespeare Collection Coming to BritBox May 26th
Big news from British TV streaming service BritBox - they've managed to get the complete BBC Shakespeare collection of plays and performances for their subscribers. Here are the details from BritBox: BritBox, the subscription streaming service from BBC Studios and ITV with the largest collection of British television content in North America, will launch the full BBC … [Read more...] about Telly News: The Complete BBC Shakespeare Collection Coming to BritBox May 26th
Through the Library: Shakespeare’s Country by S.W. Colyer – Beautiful Pictures of Old Stratford Upon Avon and the Surrounding Area
This edition of Through the LIbrary continues our journey through the photographic works of S.W. Colyer, a photographer who captured some of Britain's most iconic places in the 1930s and 40s. Shakespeare's Country focused on Stratford Upon Avon and the surrounding areas, where William Shakespeare spent most of his life (with several stints in London). The book was published … [Read more...] about Through the Library: Shakespeare’s Country by S.W. Colyer – Beautiful Pictures of Old Stratford Upon Avon and the Surrounding Area
A Day in the Life of… William Shakespeare – Writer. Actor. Grain Merchant?
The lark, herald of the morning, rouses William Shakespeare to wakefulness in the bedchamber of his grand home in Stratford-upon-Avon. As the sun rises, so does England’s most famous bard, eager to exploit the daylight hours and begin work. Early morning is the best time for writing, free from the distractions of home, family, and business, and on this bright and breezy spring … [Read more...] about A Day in the Life of… William Shakespeare – Writer. Actor. Grain Merchant?
Anglotopia Imports Alert: New Products LIVE – Jane Austen, Shakespeare and Monarchs Magnets
This week we have some lovely tributes to Britain's Monarchs, William Shakespeare and Jane Austen with some fun and quirky magnet sets. These will ship after May 11th. BROWSE THE COLLECTION … [Read more...] about Anglotopia Imports Alert: New Products LIVE – Jane Austen, Shakespeare and Monarchs Magnets
Top 10 Britain: Ten Shakespearean Locations Every Fan of the Bard Should Visit
It’s a bit of an understatement to say that William Shakespeare was one of the most influential writers of Western Civilization. He’s credited with introducing more than 1,700 words to the English language, written 154 sonnets, and crafted 37 plays that have stood the test of time and become a part of the world’s culture. Needless to say, with that kind of impact, Shakespeare … [Read more...] about Top 10 Britain: Ten Shakespearean Locations Every Fan of the Bard Should Visit
Brit Lit: A Brief History of William Shakespeare and Love
William Shakespeare is thought of as one of the most romantic writers in history. From his plays to his sonnets, his works are held up as iconic. Plays such as Romeo & Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing, Antony & Cleopatra, and The Taming of the Shrew helped craft the idea of romantic love at a time when marriage was still a practical endeavor, and the lines “Shall I … [Read more...] about Brit Lit: A Brief History of William Shakespeare and Love
One Shakespearean’s Take on Chimes at Midnight
We have heard the chimes at midnight, Master Shallow. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTniLiKZpqE Where should I start with this film? Well, I suppose it's worth noting that for reasons that aren't terribly clear, this movie, in its 52nd year, only last August did it finally get a DVD release. That said, a shockingly high number of Orson Welles' films have been neglected … [Read more...] about One Shakespearean’s Take on Chimes at Midnight
The Bard: One Shakespearean’s Take on Tromeo and Juliet
Two households, different as dried plums and pears In fair Manhattan, where we lay our scene. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5M5v4d3b8s As I write this, the world is still reeling from the 88th Academy Awards. While there were quite a few choices I didn't agree with, the Academy did have enough sense to give Amy the Best Documentary award and, after 23 years, Leonardo … [Read more...] about The Bard: One Shakespearean’s Take on Tromeo and Juliet
Shakespeare: Things We Say Today Which We Owe to Shakespeare
This little graphic certainly doesn't have them all - but it has many of the most famous. So, we thought it fun and worth sharing. Source. … [Read more...] about Shakespeare: Things We Say Today Which We Owe to Shakespeare
Brit Movies: One Shakespearean’s Take on Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo+Juliet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VBsi0VxiLg The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love, And the continuance of their parents' rage, Which, but their children's end, nought could remove, Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage; The which if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend. Baz Luhrmann's Romeo+Juliet is a … [Read more...] about Brit Movies: One Shakespearean’s Take on Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo+Juliet
One Shakespearean’s Take On Kenneth Branagh’s Henry V
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5dI65LvbrE O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend The brightest heaven of invention, A kingdom for a stage, princes to act, And monarchs to behold the swelling scene! I thought long and hard about which Shakespeare adaptation (of the 1080 films listed on IMDB as I type this) should be the first one I should take on for … [Read more...] about One Shakespearean’s Take On Kenneth Branagh’s Henry V
The Bard: William Shakespeare – Newly-discovered image revealed
A new portrait of Shakespeare has been uncovered - thought to be the only one from during his actual life. From the Daily Telegraph: Drawing of playwright hailed as 'literary discovery of the century' found after being identified by botanist and historian Mark Griffiths An image claimed to be the first and only contemporary portrait of William … [Read more...] about The Bard: William Shakespeare – Newly-discovered image revealed
Great Britons: William Shakespeare – A Primer on the Greatest English Playwright
William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon". His extant works, including some collaborations, consist of about 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other verses, the … [Read more...] about Great Britons: William Shakespeare – A Primer on the Greatest English Playwright
Shakespeare in the Barnyard and Other Weird British Animal News
I'm finding a lot of stories in my backlog related to animals, and, before I put down my Scotland-related news stories in one post in time for September 18's Independence referendum, I think I might as well tackle some of the animal-related stories I've got. The Dog that eats women's underwear. When you get a new dog, one of the first things you learn is that some of the … [Read more...] about Shakespeare in the Barnyard and Other Weird British Animal News
Happy Shakespeare Day! Here Are 11 Facts and Figures about the Bard William Shakespeare You Probably Didn’t Know
Happy Shakespeare Day everyone! What is Shakespeare Day? Well, April 23rd marks the day that William Shakespeare was born (though this is also been disputed to the point no one knows for sure) but it’s also actuality the day he died as well. This year has a special significance and it marks 450 years since he was born, so there are many big celebrations all over Britain - not … [Read more...] about Happy Shakespeare Day! Here Are 11 Facts and Figures about the Bard William Shakespeare You Probably Didn’t Know
Shakespeare: A Visual Guide to Shakespeare’s Tragedies
This is making the rounds on social media so I thought it was worth sharing, it's a handy visual guide to the tragedies of William Shakespeare. Click the image to view a full sized version. … [Read more...] about Shakespeare: A Visual Guide to Shakespeare’s Tragedies
Brit DVD Reviews: Shakespeare – The King’s Man by Athena
Shakespeare: The King’s Man was an absolute delight from start to finish. I’m a fan of Shakespeare, but admittedly don’t know a whole lot about the plays he wrote during his time as “the King’s Man,” when he and company became the “King’s Players,” officially working at the King’s pleasure. This fascinating documentary will appeal to both seasoned historians and general … [Read more...] about Brit DVD Reviews: Shakespeare – The King’s Man by Athena
Shakespeare: Radio 4 and The British Museum to explore Shakespeare’s Restless World in new Series
British Museum Director Neil MacGregor presents Shakespeare's Restless World, a new series for Radio 4, (broadcast from 16 April at 1.45pm and repeated at 7.45pm) and part of a wider BBC Shakespeare Season. The 20-part series looks at the world through the eyes of Shakespeare's audience by exploring objects from that turbulent period. Examining these objects, Neil … [Read more...] about Shakespeare: Radio 4 and The British Museum to explore Shakespeare’s Restless World in new Series