Hey, I just saw that Shakespeare’s 450th is coming up this year. Gotta pull something together to celebrate.
This year, I’m giving you a taste of the Folger Shakespeare Library Digital Images Collection. Check out the collection here.
For this post, all Lady Macbeths. (That’s the kind of mood I’m in.)
Some famous actresses (you’ll recognize their names), some whose first names were never recorded, and one surprise.
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- Mrs. Yates, 1769
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- Mrs. Siddons, 1830
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- Mrs Shepherd, 1846
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- Mrs. Warner, mid-1800s
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- Viola Allen, late 1800s
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- Sarah Bernhardt, late 1800s
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- Ellen Terry, after 1888
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- Lillie Langtry, 1889
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- Lady Macbeth, by Alice Morgan Wright, 1910
Take time to read some Shakespeare this month!
Lizzie Ross 
Good to see pics of famous names in this role (here in the UK we’re encouraged by luvvies to call them ‘actors’ rather than ‘actresses’) so thanks!
Might try a more obscure play like ‘Cymbeline’ or a “difficult” one like ‘Measure for Measure’. Haven’t reviewed a play as a text before — could be the month to try!
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Perhaps another twitter-off, or at least a blog-off? Competing plays? I’ve never read Cymbeline, and I remember nearly nothing from The Tempest. What say you?
Re actor/actress: since the photos are all of long departed performers, I figured they would’t notice. And I like the sound of “actress”, despite its non-PC connotations.
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How about Cymbeline? I’ve never read it either though I’ve read around it. Shall I look to see how to chunk it up into bite-sized morsels?
And film/movie and theatre award ceremonies wouldn’t be able to cope without the actor/actress distinctions, so the thespians won’t win in this regard.
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By the way, in amongst everything else I’m trying to keep up with the Cloisterham Inquest on Edwin Drood so Cymbeline may have to be less intense than Watchmen was!
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Sorry, me again. Just seen your competition option so just to say whatever suits you– I know you have commitments too!
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Calmgrove — Yes, too many commitments. How about just a set of “buddy-posts” on Cymbeline, to go up on the 26th (WS’s baptism day)? I’ve no idea what that might end up looking like, but it should be open enough to allow just about anything, with minimal demands on our time.
Re the Inquest: I’m a bit behind on that but will catch up now that Spring Break has begun!
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I’m up for buddy-posts — on WordPress or twitter? The timescale sounds do-able too!
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WordPress — which will show up on Twitter anyway.
I’m reading The Jungle Book now, as companion piece for The Graveyard Book, but I can definitely squeeze in Cymbeline.
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Hoping to read and blog about Cymbeline with Calmgrove, so check again here on or around 26 April.
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