From Gregory Doran's Shakespeare Almanac:
- On September 11, 1611, Simon Forman, one of the few contemporaries to leave written documentation of having seen Shakespeare's plays ( Cymbeline, Macbeth and The Winter's Tale) died.
Shakespeare sightings:
- The novel Burley Cross Postbox Theft by Nicola Barker was a real disappointment. It was supposed to be very funny and heartwarming but I'm afraid I found it boring and repetitive and the only reason I read it all the way through was because I had paid good (though not much) money for it. Even the Shakespeare sightings in it were boring so enough of that.
- Following Jane by Shelley Singer with its mentions of Shakespeare wasn't much better even if the main character is a history teacher from Minnesota.
- Much much more interesting is the classic sci-fi novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury about a future (sort of) society in which books are banned and firefighters don't put out fires, they go to book hoarder's homes and start them, incinerating books, home and sometimes hoarder alike. Of course there are a lot of sightings here. Hamlet is still a household word, the resistance still knows Shakespeare by heart, Shakespeare is referred to by one of the villains as “Willie”. Said villain tells the unhappy hero, “All's well that ends well.” And finally when the hero has the upper hand the villain says, “What'll it be this time? Why don't you belch Shakespeare at me, you fumbling snob? 'There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats, for I am arm'd so strong in honesty that they pass by me as an idle wind, which I respect not!'”
- In Dagens Nyheter yesterday there was an article about the exhibit at the British Museum about Shakespeare and “Staging the World”. Oh you lucky Londoners. You have all the fun.
Further, since the last report: Continued reading aloud with Hal: Julius Caesar.
Posted: Just this.
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