A landmark Shakespeare exhibition on the performances that made an icon, charting Shakespeare’s constant reinvention across the centuries
Visit our exhibition in London to share in the journey through 400 years of history – from the first productions of Hamlet and The Tempest – to understand how Shakespeare’s plays have been transformed for new generations of theatre-goers.
Imagine how audiences reacted to ground-breaking moments like the first stage appearance by a female actor in 1660 and the first British performance of Othello by a black actor in 1825.
Experience the glamour of Vivien Leigh’s Lady Macbeth costume, the surprising circus prop from Peter Brook’s radical 1970s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the stunning detail of the award-winning costumes from Twelfth Night starring Mark Rylance, as performed at Shakespeare’s Globe.
Shakespeare in Ten Acts showcases over 200 unique and rare items such as the only surviving literary manuscript in Shakespeare’s hand, the earliest printed edition of Hamlet from 1603 and Shakespeare’s First Folio.
Discovering Literature: Shakespeare, our brand new online learning resource, has now launched. Whether you’re a student, teacher, researcher, or simply a lover of literature, Discovering Literature: Shakespeare will encourage critical thinking and independent learning to enrich your understanding of all-things Shakespeare.
We also offer a programme of workshops for primary, secondary and further education groups and teachers’ events inspired by our Shakespeare in Ten Acts exhibition.
Press reviews
'fascinating exhibition and nobody does that better than The British Library' 
– Londonist
'intriguing leaf through Shakespeare’s mysterious life' – The Telegraph
'fascinating' – The Guardian
'a must-see' – The Upcoming
'A show of shows' – The Times Literary Supplement
Visitor reviews
'A must for Shakespeare enthusiasts.' – Judy'definitely well worth it' – Rose
'fantastic range of artefacts' – Lisa Read full review >
'Wonderful Shakespeare exhibition' – Davel Read full review >
Vivien Leigh (as Titania) from A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Old Vic Theatre, 1937. Photograph by J W Debenham. Courtesy of the Mander and Mitchenson collection at the University of Bristol and ArenaPAL. www.arenapal.com
Details
| Name: | Shakespeare in Ten Acts Exhibition |
|---|---|
| Where: |
PACCAR Gallery The British Library 96 Euston Road London NW1 2DB Show map How to get to the Library |
| When: |
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Opening times and visitor information |
| Price: |
Adult Gift Aid: £13.50 * Adult: £12.00 Senior 60+ Gift Aid: £11.00 * Senior 60+: £10.00 Student: £5.00 Registered Unemployed: £5.00 Disabled: £5.00 Disabled Carer: £0.00 Under 18: £0.00 Friend of the British Library: £0.00 National Art Pass Adult: £6.00 National Art Pass Senior 60+: £4.00 * Includes a voluntary donation over the regular ticket price. You will be helping the Library to conserve and share its collection. If you are a UK tax-payer and ‘Gift Aid’ your donation, the Library can reclaim the tax you have paid. |
| Enquiries: | +44 (0)1937 546546 boxoffice@bl.uk |
| Book now |
