Pagoda 2 May 09 24/4/09 20:24 Page 1
PAGODA
Shakespeare in form
God hath given you one face, and you make those to recreate Shakespeare’s image. Prior
yourselves another to that, the nation had only three other,
Hamlet Act III, Scene I wildly differing images of its literary hero: his
William Shakespeare
‘egghead’ balding pate portrait in the First
Folio of the Complete Works; the derided
‘pork butcher’ interpretation on his funeral
monument at Stratford-upon-Avon; and the
famous ‘Chandos’ portrait painted –
probably from life – during the first decade of
the 17th Century and named after the duke
who owned it.
But in those fertile Georgian years, all that
changed. And there could be no better place
in which to inspect the 18th century works
than Orleans House, close as it is to other
places long associated with the Shakespearean
tale. The Scheemakers bust once stood in the
Shakespeare c.1734, Attributed to Francis Hayman
library of Alexander Pope’s famous
c.1708-1776 Garrick Club/Art Archive
Twickenham villa, while Roubiliac’s full-
length sculpture is still on display in the
Temple to Shakespeare built at Hampton by
the great actor-manager David Garrick: an
elegant, classical tribute in stone, basking on
the banks of the Thames. A cast of the
Bust from the Temple of Worthies at Stowe c.1728
Roubiliac statue is on view at Orleans House,
John Michael Rysbrack (1694–1770)
with opportunities to see the original at the
©V&A Images/Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Temple on Sunday afternoons.
Do these images have Shakespeare right?
Scarcely could Shakespeare have foreseen that
Or is his chin too pointed, his expression too
his acerbic line, spoken by his procrastinating
doleful, his mouth too mean? Perhaps, in the
hero, would end up directed towards himself.
Yet so it is. For in the past 400 years, a great
end, each likeness reflects a measure of truth.
many artists have fashioned diverse likenesses
For as the Bard himself reminds us: “One
of the immortal Bard.
man in his time plays many parts.”
Now, at Twickenham’s Orleans House
a73 ‘Shakespeare 1709-1790: How Britain’s
Gallery, a major exhibition of busts, larger
sculptors invented a national hero’ is at
figures, paintings, engravings and various
Orleans House Gallery, Twickenham until
memorabilia offers us the chance to judge
Jun 7. Tues – Sat, 1-5.30pm; Sun 2-5.30pm.
their impressions for ourselves.
A free shuttle bus runs from the gallery to
During the course of the 18th Century, the
Garrick’s Temple on Sunday afternoons.
Frontispiece to Hanmer’s Shakespeare 1743-44
distinguished sculptors Scheemakers, Tel: (020) 8831 6000. Alternatively visit:
(second edition 1771), Hubert François Gravelot
Rysbrack, Roubiliac and Cheere were among www.richmond.gov.uk/arts 1699-1773 Garrick Club Library/Art Archive
Picture by Jon Constant Take to the stage
Do you see yourself as the next Ibsen, Chekhov or Shaw? Do your fingers get
itchy around pens? If so, the annual cornerHOUSE One Acts Festival 2009 is
for you.
Since its inception six years ago, the festival – based in Tolworth, near Surbiton
– has gone from strength to strength, providing a golden opportunity for those
interested in playwriting to showcase their work, as well as encouraging people
of all ages and abilities to get involved in different aspects of theatre – from
directing and producing to auditioning and treading the boards.
“The festival enables new directors to try their hand at a short play in a
supportive environment,” says Chairman of the cornerHOUSE Artistic
Committee, Barry Rocard. “It also offers numerous acting opportunities, without
the heavy commitment of full-length productions, as well as involving volunteers
in helping to organise the festival. Building the sets, working on sound and
lighting, stage managing, assisting with wardrobe and props – the list goes on!”
As for writing, submissions for this year’s festival in November must be in by
July 19. Plays should be 15-20 minutes long. The winning entries will be selected
by a panel of judges, after which directors will be chosen and actors cast. All writers will receive feedback on their work.
So get writing now. Your winter of discontent could soon be made glorious summer.
a73 oneACTS 2009 runs from Nov 9-14. For entry guidelines, festival details and information about being part of the crew visit:
www.thecornerhouse.org
www.richmondmagazine.co.uk 9
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