As MOLA archaeologist prepare to excavate the site of The Curtain Theatre, immerse yourself in the history, theatre and archaeology.
Take a leap back in time, to Shakespeare’s day, and Shoreditch was London’s first theatre district, hosting both the Theatre and the Curtain playhouses. Naturally, fitting its role as a vibrant destination, Shoreditch was awash with taverns and other places offering entertainment.
From Thursday 31 March to Wednesday 25 May, as part of Shakespeare400 celebration and prior to MOLA excavating the Curtain theatre, there are a series of events, lectures and walking tours where you can dip into this world.
You can walk the Shakespearean suburb of Shoreditch with senior MOLA archaeologist and Shakespeare expert, Julian Bowsher, who will also be giving a talk on Shoreditch as the earliest London Theatreland.
Find out about eating and drinking from MOLA finds specialist, Jacqui Pearce in her talk on Eating and Drinking in Shakespeare’s Theatreland. There is also an opportunity to delve into Shakespearean Shoreditch’s seamier side with writer, Jon Kaneko-James’ walking tour, The Curtain and Crime: Rogues and Villains of Elizabethan Theatre.
Aside from the archaeological aspect of this project, the Bard’s work and life will also be examined. BBC history presenter and author of In Search of Shakespeare, Michael Wood, will be casting some light on the elusive play write in a talk in St Botolph’s Hall in Bishopsgate. Actor, Ben Crystal, and author of Shakespeare’s Words and Shakespeare on Toast, will be taking an audience on a trip through the Elizabethan language, heart and mind. Then there is an opportunity to explore the Bard’s relationship with London and Londoners with Prof Stanley Wells, Honorary President of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in his talk, Shakespeare in London.
The Curtain Theatre is one of Shakespeare’s least historically documented theatres. It is known to have hosted the premier of Henry V and staged other important plays such as Romeo and Juliet. Used as a theatre from 1577 to 1625 it has the longest period of use of any of the Shakespearean theatres. The excavated and preserved remains of The Curtain along with displays of artefacts will be the focus of a heritage and visitor centre with in a new destination, The Stage, bringing new shops, offices and homes.
The full calendar of events is available online at MOLA and Shakespear400.
