Shakespeare: staging the world


Sumptuous exhibition at the British Museum looking at the world of Shakespeare, putting the plays into the context of their times.

Themes covered included the histories, the classical plays, Arcadia and the place of Venice. It was particularly strong in the later sections and placing the works within Jacobean politics.

I must admit as I know the period quite well I could have guessed most of the objects and pictures which might be in it. However one revelation to me was the diptych showing views of old St Paul's which was owned by John Donne. Two wonderfully detailed pictures  which even included a tiny choir in one scene.

The use of text was good with quotes from the plays by most objects and good records of speeches. As ever St Crispin's day brought a tear to the eye but best was Brutus's speech with the actor holding a Roman medal commemorating the plot. It was a shame that at times the spoken word from other displays interrupted as well as the tinny sound from overloud tape tours.

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