CELEBRATIONS to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s first folio are ending with a talk from one of the world’s leading experts on the book.
Shakespeare expert Professor Emma Smith will be discussing the history and enduring legacy of the book that brought the Bard’s plays together for the first time at Stratford Town Hall on Monday November 6.
The First Folio, originally called ‘Master William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies’, was published in the first week of November 1623 and 400 years on, The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is leading a year of celebratory events.
Professor Charlotte Scott, director of knowledge at the SBT, will be hosting this latest, and final, event.
She said: “The First Folio is one of the most important and enduring artistic legacies of all time, and so it has been exciting to explore the Folio’s lasting impact this year with audiences from across the world. From thought-provoking and immersive events in Shakespeare’s family homes to our special exhibition at Shakespeare’s New Place exploring the ‘Great Variety of Readers’ we can think of no better closing event to our year of celebration than inviting Emma back to Stratford to share her fascinating insights on the First Folio.”
Organisers are promising an insightful evening where guests will have a unique opportunity to hear from one of the world’s leading authorities on the First Folio as Professor Smith plots out the human, artistic, economic and technical stories of the birth of the First Folio – and the emergence of Shakespeare’s towering reputation.
The talk, entitled Shakespeare’s First Folio at 400: The Making of Shakespeare with Professor Emma Smith, begins at 6.30pm.
For more information visit www.shakespeare.org.uk
