The Shakespeare & Beyond blog features a wide range of Shakespeare-related topics: the early modern period in which he lived, the ways his plays have been interpreted and staged over the past four centuries, the enduring power of his characters and language, and more.
Shakespeare & Beyond
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Shakespeare & Beyond also explores the topics that shape our experience of Shakespeare today: trends in performance, the latest discoveries and scholarship, news stories, pop culture, interesting books, new movies, the rich context of theater and literary history, and more. As the word “beyond” suggests, from time to time Shakespeare & Beyond also covers topics that are not directly linked to Shakespeare.
Questions or comments? You can reach us at shakespeareandbeyond@folger.edu.
![The Merry Wives of Windsor at Baltimore Shakespeare Factory](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2019/08/The-Merry-Wives-of-Windsor-at-Baltimore-Shakespeare-Factory-sm-1.jpg?fit=10%2C10)
What's onstage at Shakespeare theaters in August
Every month, we check in with our theater partners to find out what’s onstage. Here’s what’s happening at Shakespeare theaters in August.
![Love's Labor's Lost Love's Labor's Lost](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2019/08/Loves-Labors-FT2019_316_web.jpg?fit=10%2C10)
Love's Labor's Lost and screwball comedy
The witty, fast-paced dialogue at the heart of the battle of the sexes in Love’s Labor’s Lost is straight out of a golden-age screwball comedy film.
![Otello](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2019/08/029270.jpg?fit=10%2C10)
Shakespeare and opera: Verdi, Rossini, and other composers inspired by the plays
Shakespeare and opera is a winning combination, with the plays providing compelling dramatic material and a ‘name’ that would help sell tickets.
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Quiz: In Praise of Shakespeare
The Folger Shakespeare Library building is filled (inside and outside) with inscriptions of quotations by famous writers praising Shakespeare. See if you can successfully fill in the blanks for these quotes
![Johnny Cash Johnny Cash performing](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2019/08/LOC-Cash_TWI.jpg?fit=10%2C10)
Johnny Cash's Shakespeare
The Folger’s collection includes a miniature set of Shakespeare’s plays that belonged to the Man in Black himself.
Summer Shakespeare memories: Picnics, thunderstorms, and wildlife interruptions
We asked our Twitter followers to share their favorite stories from outdoor Shakespeare performances: incredible actors, unexpected animal visitors, dramatic weather events, and more. Tell us your story using #SummerShakesMemories. https://twitter.com/Zorrah/status/1144605770702442496 https://twitter.com/NateMetcalf/status/1154529272117071873 https://twitter.com/jaybaltz/status/1145838297803087872 https://twitter.com/ERLathrop/status/1143612005577822208 https://twitter.com/AlexJArmstrong/status/1146132142868578304 https://twitter.com/GoodTickleBrain/status/1146021764276871168 https://twitter.com/michaelmc_hugh/status/1144529821114019841 https://twitter.com/MysticCindi/status/1144474064397848581 https://twitter.com/xmacdonald/status/1152337120117366784
![The Lion King The Lion King](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2019/07/lion-king-2019.jpg?fit=10%2C10)
Can you feel the Shakespeare love tonight?
In many ways Simba resembles Prince Hal more than Hamlet, in that he’s also a headstrong prince who disobeys his father but ultimately learns to accept responsibility and claim his throne.
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Richard III: Taffety Punk's Bootleg Shakespeare
Kimberly Gilbert as Richard III. Photo by Brittany Diliberto. Bootleg Shakespeare is not your typical night at the theater: The actors show up on the day of the performance with only their lines memorized; after a few hours of rehearsals,…
![Frederick Douglass portrait Frederick Douglass portrait](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2019/07/frederick-douglass-portrait-e1563463480387.jpg?fit=10%2C10)
Frederick Douglass, A Shakespearean in Washington
Douglass frequently alluded to Shakespeare in his oratory and was known to attend performances of Shakespeare at local Washington theatres.
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What's onstage at Shakespeare theaters in July
Every month, we check in with our theater partners to find out what’s onstage. Here’s what’s happening at Shakespeare theaters in July.
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Play On Shakespeare: Reflections from the translation project's festival of staged readings
Play On Executive Director Lue Douthit gives remarks before the festival’s first staged reading: The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Lue Morgan Douthit first wrote about the Play on! project (of which she is the executive director) on the Shakespeare &…
![Lady Archibald Campbell as Orlando Photograph of a woman lounging under a tree](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2019/07/lady-archibald-campell-as-orlando.jpg?fit=10%2C10)
Outdoor Shakespeare: The pioneers of a summer tradition
Shakespeare by the sea, on the river, in the park or garden, on the common – in the summertime Shakespeare’s plays are everywhere outdoors! High-profile shows in New York’s Central Park or at Ashland’s Oregon Shakespeare Festival may come to…