BOOK OF THE BARD: Exploring Shakespeare’s First Folio

From 2pm

Distinguished Shakespeare scholar Professor Emma Smith is coming to Leeds to talk about the very first collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays – probably the most influential secular book ever printed. Without it, half of the Bard’s plays would have been lost.

Learn about the tumultuous origins of what has become one of the most valuable printed books in the world and hear about what happened to copies of the First Folio after it appeared in 1623. Some show how the plays were received in different theatres; others contain doodles and even children’s drawings. Its changing value can be traced as books were rebound and sold for higher prices, because it rapidly became an expensive trophy for the few who could afford to pay for it.

Copies formerly owned by aristocrats were bought up by factory owners, including the Gott family from Leeds. English libraries were broken up and sold to wealthy Americans – and in some cases, as with the copy in the Brotherton Library at the University of Leeds, came back again!

Tickets £8 on the door (card or cash)