What are “lost” theatrical properties? What evidence exists for them? This post draws on my research into the impermanent materials of early modern performance to consider the theatrical life of early modern sweets.  In January 1573, preparations at Hampton Court for welcoming the new year with the anonymously writtenMasque of Janus were stalled by the weather. … Continue reading Lost properties and where to find them: comfit hailstones

This is just a short note to let you know that members of the Before Shakespeare team have set up a YouTube channel seeking to provide a space for fun, relaxed and silly conversations about scholarship and creativity. In these very difficult times, we'd love it if you joined us, as listeners, contributors or if … Continue reading A bit lit: a new forum for scholarship and creativity

We are very sorry to say that Ruff Play with Shakespeare, our forthcoming combat event, has been postponed. We will await future advice on public gatherings before announcing a new date, and will refund those who have bought tickets as soon as possible. We would like to say an enormous thank you to everyone who … Continue reading Ruff Play with Shakespeare: postponed

In celebration of her new book, Lena Liapi writes a guest post on rogues in print. We are delighted that Roguery in Print is now in print! Robert Greene, a writer central to the commercial dramatic developments of the late 1580s and 1590s, was perhaps better known to early modern men and women through his … Continue reading Roguery in print: crime and culture in early modern London

Lecture - The Boar’s Head Playhouse delivered by Senior Archaeologist Heather Knight What: A 1 hour lecture (followed by wine and cake) by Senior Archaeologist Heather Knight, who led the recent excavation at the Boar’s Head, about the playhouse’s raucous history of comedy and performance, and what new information has been revealed about its structure and … Continue reading The Boar’s Head: discover very heady, very not boring new discoveries at an early modern playhouse

October ’19: Announcing “Engendering the stage: the records of early modern performance” — a new archival research project led by Clare McManus and Lucy Munro, with opportunities for a post-doctoral research fellow and scholarships for two PhD students (details below). This January 2020, with funding from the Leverhulme Trust, a research team led by Professor Clare McManus … Continue reading Engendering the Stage: post-doc and PhD opportunities

At 7pm on Sunday 7th July in the Levi Fox Hall Edward’s Boys will give their first performance of Wit and Science by John Redford prior to touring Oxford, London and Genoa, Italy where they will perform at the invitation of the Société Internationale pour l’étude du Théâtre Médiéval. Redford, composer, organist and choirmaster of … Continue reading Edward’s Boys – The Play of Wit and Science 7th – 12th July 2019