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Shakespeare & Beyond

Excerpt: What Blest Genius? The Jubilee That Made Shakespeare

Shakespeare Jubilee
Shakespeare Jubilee

What Blest GeniusIf there were a prize given to the person who had done the most to elevate William Shakespeare’s reputation, David Garrick would be a top contender.

The actor-manager was responsible for organizing the Shakespeare Jubilee of 1769 in Stratford-upon-Avon, which is the subject of a new book by Andrew McConnell Stott.

Stott, professor of English at the University of Southern California, examines the impetus for and planning behind event, its great successes and failures, and the big boost it gave to Shakespeare’s place in the national history and the public imagination.

Among the festivities planned for the Jubilee: A pageant of Shakespearean characters who would parade through the town. Learn more in the excerpt below from What Blest Genius? The Jubilee that Made Shakespeare.

Comments

I am currently writing a book about the Private theatre at Wynnstay (for which you have many playbills) which was partially at least, inspired by the Sahakespeare Celebrations organised by David Garrick. Sir Watkin Williams Wynne was a friend of David Garrick and visited the Festival (which was a great success despite the rain) Sir Watkin was inspired to creat his own Private theatre at his homr of Wynnstay Hall in Denbighshire. If you would like it, I could write an article about this to acccompany your article. I am actually creating the book using FrameMaker, but could use Word. Either way, I could save it as a .PDF. The illustrations are an integral part of the files.
As you have many copies of the playbills, it would be good if I could use a scan of one of yours. You sent me a list a while ago, and I have scans of those held at the National Library of Wales, but would have to get permission to use these.
Sincerely, Rachel Bowen

Rachel Bowen — April 9, 2019

mea culpa, I have noted two typos, I apologise.
Sincerely, Rachel

Rachel Bowen — April 9, 2019