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emma poltrack

has a PhD in English and Comparative Literature Studies (with a focus on contemporary Shakespearean performance) from University of Warwick. She earned her MA in Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon and the Cultural History of Renaissance England at The Shakespeare Institute.
Fat rogue, pampered glutton: Two Falstaffian context clues
From Q0 of 1 Henry IV.
Shakespeare and Beyond

Fat rogue, pampered glutton: Two Falstaffian context clues

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Author
emma poltrack

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 Spotlight

The Boar's Head Jukebox: A Playlist Inspired by '1 Henry IV'

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Author
emma poltrack

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 Spotlight

A Year to Remember: 1932 in Music

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Author
emma poltrack

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
Hunting scene with Elizabeth
Shakespeare and Beyond

Influences for Love's Labor's Lost: Contemporary texts and historical figures

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Author
emma poltrack

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
Folger Spotlight

Merry Nell-odies: Music Celebrating Mistress Gwynn

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Author
emma poltrack

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
Folger Spotlight

'The Country Gentleman': A Forgotten Scandal and a Remarkable Discovery

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Author
emma poltrack

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
Folger Spotlight

Three Ways to Get Closer to the Drama

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Author
emma poltrack

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
Elsie Leslie Lyde. Photograph. Folger Shakespeare Library.
Shakespeare and Beyond

Elsie Leslie: Sparkling Child Star of the American Stage

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Author
emma poltrack

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
Tower. Richard III, Act III, scene 5. Thomas Medland. ART File L847t2 no.3 (size XS). Before 1812. Folger Shakespeare Library.
Shakespeare and Beyond

A world of poison: The Overbury scandal

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emma poltrack

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
Kate Eastwood Norris
Shakespeare and Beyond

Leading ladies, missing characters, and singing witches: Three differences between Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' and William Davenant's adaptation

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Author
emma poltrack

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'
Folger Spotlight

In the vault with 'Saint Joan'

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Author
emma poltrack

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
Shakespeare and Beyond

‘The Winter’s Tale’ and the problem of the Bohemia seacoast

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Author
emma poltrack

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.

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