As our archaeologists prepare to excavate the Curtain Theatre, we are hosting a series of Shakespeare inspired events, lectures and walking tours for members of the public. The events are part of The Stage’s community engagement programme and run from Thursday 31 March to Wednesday 25 May.
As a Shakespeare400 consortium partner MOLA has pulled together experts in Shakespeare, theatre, history and archaeology to share their knowledge on various topics including: the early modern theatrical scene, Shakespeare in London, rogues and villains of Shoreditch’s theatres, and eating and drinking in Shakespeare’s theatreland. Contributors include BBC historian Michael Wood, honorary president of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Prof. Stanley Wells, and actor and author Ben Crystal as well as MOLA archaeologists and Shakepeare400 partners.
400 years after William Shakespeare’s death, the events will give an insight into the past of the first theatre district and a historically significant site at the heart of London’s Shoreditch that is set to become a vibrant new east London destination. The Stage will feature the excavated and preserved remains of Shakespeare’s Curtain Theatre in a heritage and visitor centre, with displays of artefacts discovered during the dig.
The full calendar of events click through to MOLA’s events pages below or take a look at the Shakespeare400 website www.shakespeare400.org
31 March at 18.15
Shoreditch: The Earliest London Theatreland a Talk with Archaeologist Julian Bowsher
5 April at 12.15
In Search of Shakespeare with BBC Historian Michael Wood
11 April at 19.30
The Early Modern Theatrical Scene in London, in Conversation with Prof Duncan Salkeld and Dr Andy Kesson
18 April at 18.15
Henry V, the Curtain, Shakespeare and the Manipulation of History
23 April at 14.00
Shoreditch: a Shakespearean Suburb? Walk with Senior Archaeologist Julian Bowsher
25 April at 19.30
Shakespearean Performance in Modern London: Discussions and Performances on the Shakespeare in Modern Theatre
28 April at 18.30
The Curtain and Crime: Rogues and Villains of Elizabethan Theatre Walk
30 April at 10.00
Dig Shakespeare: archaeology and theatre family workshops
5 May at 14.00
Shoreditch: a Shakespearean Suburb? Walk with Senior Archaeologist Julian Bowsher
5 May at 18.15
Shakespeare, Language and the Elizabethan Mind with Actor and Author Ben Crystal
6 May at 18.15
Eating and Drinking in Shakespeare’s Theatreland: the Archaeology of Entertainment
13 May at 12.15
Playing the Curtain with Dr Lucy Munro
14 May at 18.30
The Curtain and Crime: Rogues and Villains of Elizabethan Theatre Walk
20 May at 12.15
Shakespeare in London with Prof Stanley Wells
25 May at 18.15
Digging Shakespeare’s Shoreditch: Excavating London’s First Theatreland
1 June at 10.00
Dig Shakespeare: archaeology and theatre family workshops
