New Shakespeare theatre in Gdańsk

jon357 74 | 22,054

19 Sep 2014 #1

Amazing really - a few years ago it would have been impossible and now just strengthens the cultural ties between the two countries:

Funding the construction only became possible after Poland joined the EU in 2004. Brussels' cash has paid for three-quarters of the £18m (23m euros) cost, with the remainder provided by local authorities. Building finally began in 2011 with the bulldozers performing a ballet

"English actors first came to Gdansk in 1601. They kept coming for over half a century and Shakespeare's plays were performed here during his lifetime."

"In one of the surviving documents the author says the English were followed by virgins who travelled from one town to another," Prof Limon says. "Like groupies?" I ask. "Exactly," he says.

bbc

InWroclaw 89 | 1,911

19 Sep 2014 #2

It's definitely something few of us (speaking for myself anyway) realised previously.

Of course, not that most people know Shakespeare's true identity! ;)

OP jon357 74 | 22,054

19 Sep 2014 #3

It's definitely something few of us (speaking for myself anyway) realised previously.

I don't know if the man himself was ever in Gdansk, however it looks likely he travelled. A few years before, Dee certainly spent time in PL and Chaucer (very well travelled) may have.

Of course, not that most people know Shakespeare's true identity! ;)

I've heard all the theories, and the Hoghton one looks most likely not least because the simplest answers are usually right. Some of the various theorists use textual interpretation badly - basically ignoring that it was normal to have more than one hand redacting or collaborating on a play at that time.