One of the first events in the 2024 Festival of Chichester programme is Looking for William: Aspects of William Shakespeare, a special programme presented by the Chichester Literary Society as part of the Festival of Chichester on Saturday 15 June; the opening day of the festival.

Held in Boxgrove Village Hall, the programme includes two talks by Professor of Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature, Professor Duncan Salkeld, author ‘Shakespeare and London’ (2018). Duncan’s first talk Shakespeare’s World: playhouses, actors and rivals, will look at significant locations for Shakespeare’s work, the people he associated with, his resistance to pressure from the London authorities, and the cultural diversity of early modern London. In 2023 Duncan was invited by Bloomsbury Publishing (UK) to be an Anthology Editor for a fresh publishing of one of the earliest domestic tragedies. Arden of Faversham. This powerful Elizabethan drama is based on the real-life murder of Thomas Arden. Authorship of this play has been, and continues to be the subject of substantial disagreement. Possible candidates have included Thomas Kyd, Christopher Marlowe, Martin Wiggins and of course, William Shakespeare. You are invited to decide.

Professor Bridget Escolme

We welcome Professor Bridget Escolme. Bridget is Professor of Theatre and Performance at Queen Mary University of London, where she teaches and researches Shakespeare and his contemporaries in performance, histories of fashion and costume, and the representation of emotion and mental health in the theatre. Bridget will discuss what Shakespeare has to say about clothing and fashion, and how developments in fashion and theatre costume change how audiences understand the plays? Drawing on Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing and The Tempest exploring the clothing of Shakespeare’s time and how it made meaning on the Globe and Blackfriars’ stages.

Ellen Cheshire

Our audience will also be invited to embark on a global odyssey with film writer and lecturer, Ellen Cheshire, as she delves into the realm of cinematic adaptations of Shakespeare’s timeless plays. In an insightful exploration, Ellen will curate an intriguing selection of film clips, unveiling some of the most unusual and acclaimed interpretations of Shakespeare’s works from around the world. From cherished classics to contemporary re-imaginings, the audience will be treated to a diverse array of cinematic adaptations, each offering a distinct perspective on Shakespeare’s enduring narratives. Join Ellen as she illuminates how the Bard’s genius has resonated across cultures and through the ages, captivating audiences worldwide.

Simon Brett

Your host for the day is the Chichester Literary Society’s patron, the author, Simon Brett, who has promised to entertain with his very own parody on William Shakespeare’s Hamlet.  Simon will read from his version of the play, entitled Chopped Hamlet, containing the immortal lines:

‘Prince Hamlet thought Uncle a traitor
For having it off with his Mater,
Revenge Dad or not?
That’s the gist of the plot,
And he did – nine soliloquies later.’
So, please join us in what we are sure will be, a fascinating and entertaining look at the Bard of Avon, William Shakespeare.

‘Looking for William: Aspects of William Shakespeare’ runs from 10:00am until 4:00pm (doors open at 9:30am). Tickets for the day are £30.00 include a picnic lunch and refreshments throughout the day. To book, please email infochichesterlitsoc@gmail.com or telephone the CLS Treasurer, Brian French on 01243 527795.