First Folio Exhibition

400 years ago, just 7 years after Shakespeare’s death, the First Folio containing 36 of Shakespeare’s plays was published. Now, to coincide with the European premiere of ‘The Book of Will’, Shakespeare North Playhouse have an exhibition all about the First Folio, which includes an actual copy of the First Folio which is on loan from The British Library.

Forming part of The British Library’s Treasures on Tour programme, the First Folio on display is The Grenville First Folio which was bequeathed to the library by Thomas Grenville in 1846. Unlike many copies of the First Folio, all of the pages are present in this one including the iconic portrait of William Shakespeare.

As well as displaying the First Folio, the small exhibition details how the folio came to exist and the individual contributions that ensured so many of Shakespeare’s plays survive to this day.

The exhibition is well laid out with a nice mix of detailed information for adults and dressing up / hands on activities for children.

This isn’t a large space, and the entire exhibition is no more than 20 minutes, but this is perfect for anyone attending a show at Shakespeare North Playhouse as you can easily fit in a visit during the interval of a play.

Obviously, the First Folio itself is the star of this exhibition. A facsimile of the folio provides the opportunity to explore the contents in more depth as the original is rightfully held in an environmentally controlled case. Provided flash photography isn’t used, photos of the First Folio can be taken.

The First Folio is on display until the 11 November, and access to the exhibition is completely free.

Originally posted: October 30, 2023