17th Century editions of Shakespeare!
Restoration plays not performed in over 300 years!
Rare Nahum Tate editions of Shakespeare, the ones that give King Lear a happy ending! Editions edited by Dr Johnson!
Shakespeare's source material, the Holinshed Chronicles, dating to the 16th century!
Earlier this year, Cardiff Shakespeare Readers, now members of the NTW, were alterted to a situation that bodes ill for the cultural life of Wales, and of Cardiff in particular. I refer to the proposed sale, at auction, of books, texts and documents, bequeathed to the people of Cardiff by Robert Keck, a barrister, in the 18th century. At the request of Adam Porter Timms, the founder of the CSR, I researched the documents from the information provided by the original lists. What I discovered made me angry and excited.
Under other conditions these may have passed by un-noticed, were it not for the fact that Cardiff Council, in the early days of the 20th century, had so much pride, and valued these so highly, they displayed them, twice, in open exhibition. Yet now they wish to sell them. Why? Because they are not Welsh. Why? To raise money for Cardiff Library.
I am not decrying the Library; it is a vital part of the cultural and educational life of this, and every town and city, but these documents are rare. They are originals. Cardiff University and other heritage organisations are also involved in keeping these in Cardiff, restoring those that need restoring and making them available for both academic and theatre study. There is enough, here, to attract academics, even to establishing a Drama centre to study thee plays; or a Drama Festival to give them an airing, and present alternative Shakespeare, the way it was presented during the Restoration.
Included in these is probably one of the most important editions; that of Lewis Theobald. It was he who reverted back to the original plays and presented them in the way we are most accustomed to hearing them. Yes, hearing; like Shakespearean audiences we hear plays, arguably more than see them.
What amazes me is the short-sightedness of the Council in even contemplating this move. Any short term financial gain would be swallowed up almost immediately in red tape and bureaucracy; whereas keeping them and using them, could have a knock on effect way into the future.
It is maybe not a coincidence that those behind this sale are those at present digging up Bute Park to provide a new access road for lorries. Or is that still a tree survey?
At present England has three Shakespearean Centres: Stratford, The Globe, and Birmingham University; possibly fourth if we include Warwick. Yet there is no such centre in Wales.
I was born in England, but have lived longer in Wales. To me it is vital that Wales, and Cardiff as its capital, displays to the world that it is not dragging its heels regarding its culture. And by culture I don't just mean Welsh culture; important though that is.
NTW is here to promote theatre in all its forms to the people of Wales; whether it is new writing or classical; or even rarities that are now in the hands of Cardiff City Council.
Theatre director Michael Bogdanov has become one of the main supporters of this campaign. But we need to make a noise about this in case the Council try and slip it under the wire, as they have before. Some have already gone. It is Cardiff's loss. Through this blog I am inviting everyone to visit the Cardiff Shakespeare Readers website:
www.cardiff shakespearereaders.com and also the facebook pages; Stop the sale of Cardiff documents, or the CSR facebook page itself.
To say these documents, texts, plays etc, are not a part of Welsh Culture, is to say those dramatists are also not a part of it.
One argument has been put forward by the Councillor in charge of this, Nigel Howells, that Shakespeare texts are Shakespeare texts: period.
I think this shows how short-sighted some people can be.
I have attached to this the original lists, handed to us, that instigated the research. My results are on the CSR website.
If you think we're passionate about this - you're right. I think we all have to be - before our heritage is totally gone.