emma poltrack
Fat rogue, pampered glutton: Two Falstaffian context clues
Early versions of Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part 1 show its immense popularity and point to Falstaff’s origins as the real-life figure Sir John Oldcastle.
The Boar's Head Jukebox: A Playlist Inspired by '1 Henry IV'
Folger Theatre is getting ready to begin its 2019/20 season with 1 Henry IV. Part epic history, part raucous comedy, and part poignant coming-of-age tale. Get in the spirit(s) with our playlist of songs meant to introduce you to the characters and…
A Year to Remember: 1932 in Music
Folger Theatre’s ‘Love’s Labor’s Lost’ is set in roughly 1932—the year the Folger Shakespeare Library opened its doors to the public—and celebrates the Folger’s exquisite architecture, as well as the era’s glamorous post-flapper fashion. In its honor, we present a…
Influences for Love's Labor's Lost: Contemporary texts and historical figures
Love’s Labor’s Lost is one of three Shakespeare plays without a primary source (the others being A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest), but that doesn’t mean it was created in a vacuum. Using four items from the Folger collection,…
Merry Nell-odies: Music Celebrating Mistress Gwynn
Gear up for your upcoming performance or give your day a shot of Gwynn-power with our playlist of music that celebrates this first lady of the stage.
'The Country Gentleman': A Forgotten Scandal and a Remarkable Discovery
Nell Gwynn offers a glimpse into the boisterous world of Restoration theater and the true story of one of its most famous heroines—but another compelling tale is that of ‘The Country Gentleman’ and its scandal.
Three Ways to Get Closer to the Drama
Today we look at a few ways audiences can get closer to the action and brush up their Shakespeare before (and during) a performance.
Elsie Leslie: Sparkling Child Star of the American Stage
Discover American child star Elsie Leslie through a fascinating mix of Folger finds, including Elsie Leslie as Prince Arthur in King John and posing for a photo with preeminent actor Edwin Booth.
A world of poison: The Overbury scandal
The poisoning in Shakespeare’s play King John, and in Romeo and Hamlet, too, had real-world parallels, too. Delve into the infamous story of Thomas Overbury’s death at the Tower of London in 1613.
Leading ladies, missing characters, and singing witches: Three differences between Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' and William Davenant's adaptation
Adapted by William Davenant and first performed in 1664, the version of the Scottish play taking to the Folger stage in September was the most popular one well into the 18th century despite—or perhaps because of—the numerous departures from Shakespeare’s original…
In the vault with 'Saint Joan'
Today, Folger Spotlight gives you a sneak peek at what was brought out for the Saint Joan company on a special tour of the Folger Shakespeare Library’s collection.
‘The Winter’s Tale’ and the problem of the Bohemia seacoast
A key plot point of Shakespeare’s ‘The Winter’s Tale’ relies on the country of Bohemia having a seacoast, which poses a geographical dilemma.