Macbeth
The Astor Place riot: Shakespeare as a flashpoint for class conflict in 1849
In the whole history of Shakespeare in American life, perhaps the most shocking single fact is that 22 or more people once died as a result of a riot in New York over the correct theatrical interpretation of Macbeth.
Lincoln & Macbeth: A Surprising Tale Told Through Primary Sources
Martyr of Liberty Broadside. Folger Shakespeare Library. Last year, as part of the Wonder of Will exhibition extravaganza to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, the Folger presented America’s Shakespeare. This exhibition took a look at the Bard’s influence…
America's Shakespeare: The Bard goes west to Hollywood
The costumes for Alan Bates and Glenn Close in Hamlet (1990). (The Collection of Motion Picture Costume Design: Larry McQueen) Shakespeare has provided rich material for Hollywood’s film industry over the decades, from The Taming of the Shrew (1967) with…
Very Superstitious: Sense and Sensibility's Cast on Theater Rituals
With Halloween here, we asked the cast of Sense and Sensibility about superstitions and how they protect themselves against ill luck in the theater. Find out which tricks (and treats) they use to make sure the show goes on! Featuring:…
How to counteract the curse of Macbeth (er, The Scottish Play)
Don’t say “Macbeth” in a theater, or you’ll be cursed. Or at least that’s how the old superstition goes. That’s why you’ll often hear actors refer to it as “The Scottish Play.” It’s one of many stories connected with the performance…
Illustrating Shakespeare: Three witches on the heath
Folger Finds delivers delightful and insightful moments with the Folger collection. Sarah Hovde, a cataloger at the Folger Shakespeare Library, shows us some surprise artwork in a 1910 edition of Macbeth. When cataloging a rare book, librarians try to balance describing the things…
The Year of Lear: Shakespeare in 1606
The Year of Lear: Shakespeare in 1606 Author James Shapiro’s new book The Year of Lear: Shakespeare in 1606 considers the period when the playwright wrote three of his greatest tragedies, King Lear, Macbeth, and Antony and Cleopatra. Dr. Shapiro…
Macbeth at Carter Barron: The Sleeping and the Dead are but as (Motion) Pictures
The sleeping and the dead are but as pictures.’Tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil. (Macbeth, 2.2.58)Folger Theatre has been invited by the National Park Service to screen our 2008 production of Macbeth this Saturday at dusk in the Carter Barron…
Audio Recordings Pt. II or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bard
Hello! My name is Kate Pitt and I work as an assistant in public programs here at the Folger. I was also the production assistant on the audio recordings this summer and as we move into our upcoming 2013/14 season,…
Louis Butelli: Folger Audio Recordings
Louis Butelli as Feste in Twelfth Night. Photo by Scott Suchman. Hello once again from your friend Louis Butelli, most recently Feste in Folger Theatre’s Twelfth Night. We closed our show on June 9 after a great run: thanks to…
A Tour of the Vault!
“When I was young and first read ‘OTHELLO,’ I thought the character of RODERIGO of little importance; it seemed introduced merely to fill up those vacancies of action which might otherwise have remained unemployed.” Hey, blogfriends! It’s your pal Louis,…