Shakespeare in the world
Thine Own Self
From the question “What are you?” (Countess Olivia) to “Tell my story” (Hamlet), Austin Tichenor looks at finding your identity and telling your story, through a decidedly Shakespearean lens.
Exploring Churchill's Shakespeare
Enjoy a discussion led by Washington Post journalist Robert Costa, moderator of Washington Week, with Georgianna Ziegler, curator of Churchill’s Shakespeare, and Allen Packwood, director of the Churchill Archives Centre, exploring Shakespeare’s influences on Winston Churchill.
Shakespeare and World War I
In 1916, the 300th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death coincided with World War I, although the United States had not yet entered the conflict, yet both the US and European combatants on both sides of the war took time to honor…
This thing of darkness: Caliban and the Creature from Frankenstein
As Mary Shelley’s novel “Frankenstein” marks its 200th anniversary (and with Halloween on its way), Austin Tichenor explores the parallels between the Creature from “Frankenstein” and Caliban from “The Tempest” and their fictional creators: Frankenstein and Prospero–as well as what…
Shakespeare Uncovered debuts its third season
The TV series “Shakespeare Uncovered” returns this Friday, October 12, with richly visual episodes. Watch video previews of Helen Hunt on “Much Ado About Nothing” and F. Murray Abraham on “The Merchant of Venice.”
Discovering Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play
Austin Tichenor of the Reduced Shakespeare Company writes about the creation of William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged).
Thomas Jefferson and Shakespeare
“Shakespeare must be singled out by one who wishes to learn the full powers of the English language,” Thomas Jefferson wrote.
Ungenial geniuses: Shaw on Shakespeare
We revisit an essay about Shakespeare and Shaw from the 1994 Folger exhibition “Roasting the Swan of Avon: Shakespeare’s Redoubtable Enemies and Dubious Friends.”
George Bernard Shaw on Shakespeare
“Saint Joan” may well be the most Shakespearean of Shaw’s major plays in its matter and its style
Cruel to be kind: Irreverently celebrating Shakespeare's birthday
Austin Tichenor of the Reduced Shakespeare Company writes about how “impertinent” riffs on Shakespeare’s work do much to celebrate his legacy.
Globe-al dominance: The rise in reconstructed Globe theatres
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is the most recognizable early modern playhouse, and the last few years have seen multiple reconstructions.
Presidential Fools: Abraham Lincoln, Shakespeare, and comedy
Austin Tichenor writes about Abraham Lincoln, whose wit combined reflection with self-deprecation, and the role of a Fool in Shakespeare plays.