Once More Unto The Exhibit, Dear Friends – Shakespeare, Staging The World at The British Museum

Currently, in the large circular reading room of the British Museum, a new exhibit to the greatest playwright of all time provides a new attraction for thousands of new tourists descending uponLondonthis summer. In conjunction with both the World Shakespeare Festival 2012 and the London Festival 2012, a new exhibit housing the most impressive collection of Shakespearean objects coupled with carefully placed excerpts of some of his most famous lines has successfully impressed critics and punters alike.

            The exhibition begins and ends with copies of Shakespeare’s completed works, the first is a copy of Shakespeare’s First Folio, published in 1623 after his death, and the last is the Robben Island Bible – a copy of The Bard’s completed works smuggled into the prison of Robben Island in the 1970s that was read and  annotated by many of the imprisoned ANC leaders, including Nelson Mandela, whose signature rests beside this inspiring quotation from Julius Caesar, Act III, Scene ii – “Cowards die many times before their deaths, the valiant never taste of death but once” - a fitting and touching way to end the exhibit.

This juxtaposition of the modern and relatable, and the seemingly old and out-of-touch, as Shakespeare exhibitions have been accused of being, carries on throughout the exhibit, referencing famous objects in Shakespeare plays, and then presenting them to you in brilliant condition. Perhaps most notably, in a section of the exhibit focused on Othello, we see a largeToledoblade and an expertly made French hilt encased in a glass case in the centre of the room. Upon reading the box’s description, it explains how when Othello references his “sword ofSpain” that he keeps in his chamber, he was most likely referencing a blade identical to this one.

This realisation and explanation of Shakespearean objects and context is the crucial asset of this exhibit, and the British Museum has done an excellent job of making it easy to understand and engaging. On top of this, the exhibit is also well-supported by the Royal Shakespeare Company, who take engaging the audience to another level, providing distinguished actors such as Sir Antony Sher and Harriet Walter to perform “digital interventions” (basically, recorded speeches) alongside the very artefacts and historical objects they have had to imagine they would be using. Chief among these performances, in my mind, is the excellent Paterson Joseph, whose screen is situated next to the Ides Of March coin as he brilliantly and maliciously portrays Brutus in Julius Caesar, complete with a vicious grin and a perfect replica of the coin he is performing just a few feet away from, in his hand.

However, the exhibition does feel fairly aimed at Shakespeare enthusiasts, assuming a pre-existing level of Shakespeare knowledge which can lead to people with less of a developed knowledge of Shakespeare missing out on the finer and subtler points of the exhibit, perhaps the exhibit’s only downfall. That said, Staging The World does give you the option of purchasing a £25 catalogue that accompanies the exhibit and contains details the wide range of poetry recitals, talks, films and study days. For people who intend to increase their knowledge of Shakespeare, this guide is a necessity for getting the most out of this exquisite exhibit.

What sets this Shakespeare exhibit apart from the countless other Shakespeare Exhibits is that under curators Jonathon Bate and Dora Thornton, the exhibit has managed to effortlessly combine words, images and, with some expert help from the Royal Shakespeare Company, performance to provide a real insight into Shakespearean culture. This beautiful balance allows the paying public to first be immersed in the background history and context of Shakespearean England and London, and then brings it to life with “Talking Heads” style monologues and a startling array of genuine historical objects, such as a 17^thC pack of playing cards depicting the stunning similarities between Cleopatra and Elizabeth 1^st and modern day objects, such as The Robben Island Bible.

I would definitely recommend this exhibition to anyone, whether a Shakespeare aficionado, a Shakespeare amateur looking to delve deeper into the world of The Bard or, a complete Shakespeare novice. With help of the accompanying guide, this exhibit can cater for everyone and can do it effortlessly and effectively.

As always, if you’ve got any thoughts, comments or opinions to add, feel free to leave them in the comments section below or in my ask box!

Thanks, and see you soon!