Shakespeare

Professor Stanley Wells, the chairman of The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, unveils a painting of William Shakespeare which he believes to be the only authentic image of Shakespeare made during his life on March 9, 2009 in London, England. The recently discovered painting, which is believed to date from around 1610, depicts Shakespeare in his mid-forties. The portrait is due to go on display at The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 23, 2009. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) more pics » Forget your book covers and pop culture references, the Bard was not bald. A portrait newly confirmed to very likely be the ... Read Full Story

So here we go then... The first dramatic steps towards a World Class Stratford or so they say, the destruction of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and it's conversion into a Fire Station. No that's not fair. The old place is probably due for a bit of a change what with the present collection of stubbled-chinned actors needing more room to ponce about in and shout. It's just the rest of the plan that gets my goat. Especially the need to chop down so many old trees round and about the area of the theatre. The good news is, Stratford Voice have put the kibosh ... Read Full Story

Marie Corelli. A Nice Lady & slightly off the wall to boot. There was an interesting letter in my favourite newspaper this week concerning the lack of space in Town for local amateur theatre companies to rehearse and perform. The letter lamented the fact that The Shakespeare Institute, formerly Marie Correlli’s house (Mason's Croft) and now belonging to Birmingham University , were going to stop local theatre companies from using it due to some waffle about security and safety. A devastating blow for those Companies that can't afford the extortionate fees of most other spaces in Stratford. Of course what the brains at the ... Read Full Story

It's only when one visits Shakespeare's Birthplace and is as it were, transported back in time that one realises, just how well a young William would have been served for foods of the snack variety, even in his day.Just a couple of footfalls from the great man's house in Henley Street, to the well preserved 'As You Like It' , (above right) the boy Shakespeare would have partaken of a sandwich, a baguette or one hopes, if his father were feeling generous, perhaps an ice cream? Strawberry venison anyone? And it does not take much imagination to see the family Shakespeare heading towards the ... Read Full Story

POETRY BOOK RANKINGS ON BEST BOOK BUYS IN A CATALOGUE OF 55,036 BOOKS 27. Ponder Awhile by Mohit K. MisraPaperback, Booksurge Llc (July 2006) List Price: $12.99 214. The Sonnets by William ShakespeareHardcover, Cambridge Univ Pr (January 2000) Other Formats: Audio Cassette Book Compact Disc Digital Paperback Prebinding List Price: $23.95 Read Full Story

Screwball Fun from Genesis to The Last Supper Reviewed by Barry Eitel As evident by the enormous controversy triggered by Notre Dame selecting President Obama to speak at their commencement ceremony, the Judeo-Christian religious views that have shaped Western civilization for the past 2000 years are still very much a force in our lives. And like any institution that has been around for that long, the history, thought, and tradition of Judeo-Christianity are easy targets for parody. Ouroboros Theatre Company takes aim at Christianity’s holiest text and best-selling book in history, the Bible, in their production of The Bible: The Complete Word of God ... Read Full Story

Babes With Blades Macbeth a sword-rattling good time Review by Paige Listerud They dare do all that may become a man in this Babes With Blades all-female production of William Shakespeare ’s Macbeth –from vying for honor, to scheming unholy murder; from wavering in the face of evil, to charging recklessly into carnage; from chafing under oppressive surveillance, to engaging in out-and-out rebellion; from enduring unspeakable loss, to succumbing, as one’s life drains to nothing. Directed by Kevin Heckman of Next Theatre for this production, Babes With Blades is an all women’s theater troupe. Their mission is to provide women with stage combat skills, ... Read Full Story