Following Jane’s post about things to do while the theatre is “dark” for a few weeks, I thought some of you might like to amuse yourselves by taking a look at, and perhaps adding comments to, two blogs about Shakespeare which have been created during the summer by two of our departments at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. One is http://findingshakespeare.co.uk/ by the Collections team (which consists of the staff of the Shakespeare Centre Library & Archive and the Museums Department). The other is http://bloggingshakespeare.com/ by the Education department, which inevitably includes many references to RSC productions. The latter blog includes a description of the lovely event which Greg Doran did for us in July as part of the Poetry Festival, at which he shared some of his favourite pieces from Shakespeare and other writers – http://bloggingshakespeare.com/shakespeare-and-i-greg-doran. There is also one about the discussion between Stanley Wells and Michael Billington at the RSC Summer School – http://bloggingshakespeare.com/not-what-we-ought-to-say-about-the-r-s-c – which you may find quite contentious.
And if you are still stuck for something to do, why not visit the Library & Archive in Henley Street which I’m sure you know includes the RSC Archive. We would be delighted to welcome you – you can look at materials from your favourite productions such as prompt books, programmes, reviews, photos and archive video/DVD recordings of productions since 1982. Images of productions are now arriving in digital form and are available to see in the reading room on our joint RSC/SBT image database. Prior booking is not essential except for video viewing, although it is helpful to ask in advance for materials you would like to see as they have to be fetched from our strongrooms. There is a small charge to view videos, otherwise we do not charge for using us. For further information including contact details see http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/content/view/19/19/
Jo Wilding
User Services Librarian, Shakespeare Centre Library & Archive, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Well I am not sure we would manage our own channel but RSC Friends are on YouTube if you look at the recent broadcasts (not sure if that is the right word) put together by RSC Education following the YPS productions
http://www.rsc.org.uk/education/yps/day-two.aspx
(We are about 10 mins into the segment)
Bloggong Shakespeare also have a Youtube channel.
They have had individuals uploading comments on their
favourite female character in Shakespeare, with comments from fans in Stratford outside the Courtyard Theatre.
A good way to involve the community.
Perhaps the RSC Friends might have a similar idea.
One can also subscribe to their Facebook and Twitter pages.