A copy of Shakespeare’s First Folio is to visit Aston Hall—part of Birmingham Museums Trust—to celebrate the playwright’s birthday.
The folio will have its first outing of 2023 on Sunday 23 April as part of the Everything to Everybody project, a collaboration between the University of Birmingham and Birmingham city council to “give this uniquely democratic Shakespeare heritage back to people and communities across Birmingham”.
Birmingham’s copy of the First Folio is unique because it is the only one bought as part of a dedicated programme for improving people’s lives through culture and education.
To date, the First Folio has been seen by almost 1,500 people in community settings across Birmingham. The First Folio tour is aimed at raising awareness of Birmingham’s Shakespeare Memorial Library.
Founded in 1864, the collection of more than 100,000 items is both the first major Shakespeare library in the world and also the only extensive Shakespeare collection which belongs to the people of a city.
Aston Hall will be brought alive with Shakespearian-inspired drama and comedy as part of The Bard’s Big Birthday Bash and First Folio Frolics.
Included will be Henry V’s rousing speech as he prepares for battle, an opportunity to try out Shakespearian stage combat and rehearse the opening of Romeo and Juliet and a meet-and-greet with the witches of Macbeth.
Sara Wajid from Birmingham Museums Trust said, “it’s a real privilege for Aston Hall to be the first venue that the First Folio visits as part of its tour. To see this rare, valuable, internationally significant book in real life will connect our visitors to Shakespeare and bring him alive.”
Visitors to Aston Hall will also be able to join a workshop looking at how to read and understand Shakespeare.
Viewing the First Folio is free although booking is recommended at the Aston Hall web site.