This film is part of Free
Shakespeare Memorial Theatre
"O for a muse of fire" - or not, as Shakespeare's Memorial Theatre in Stratford is gutted by flames.
Overview
Twisted metal and smoking ashes greet the fireman of Stratford as they deal with the aftermath of a mighty blaze. The fire gutted the original Shakespeare Memorial Theatre; the carnage inside unfortunately gives little idea of the original seating or stage. But shots of the exterior reveal the shell which became the Swan Theatre in 1986, and remains part of the refurbished Royal Shakespeare Theatre complex today.
The newsreel item's intertitles bill the theatre as being in its jubilee year, but this is perhaps 50 years after the foundations were laid - the grand opening was on the 19th April 1879.
Related
Hamlet Hamlet
Drama 1913 54 mins Silent
Johnston Forbes-Roberston gives his famous performance of Hamlet in this ambitious early Shakespeare feature
Next Next
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1989 5 mins
Two virtuoso performances in one – Shakespeare's complete works presented in puppet form by a master of animation
Introduction to Silent Shakespeare Introduction to Silent Shakespeare
Short documentary 2016 9 mins
Discover why filmmakers in the silent era turned to the works of William Shakespeare for inspiration.
Leonard Whiting Olivia Hussey Leonard Whiting Olivia Hussey
Inside Film 1967 16 mins
Teenage actors discuss their work with Franco Zeffirelli on Romeo and Juliet.
Twelfth Night Twelfth Night
Comedy 1910 11 mins Silent
Vitagraph’s charming 1910 interpretation features some notably lively performances.
Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting Q&A for Shakespeare Lives Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting Q&A for Shakespeare Lives
Inside Film 2016 31 mins
The stars of Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet are reunited on stage for the first time since 1968 as part of the BFI and British Council’s Shakespeare on Film.
About Britain - Second Edition About Britain - Second Edition
Amateur film 1965 12 mins Location: London
Join the Clague family as they zoom up an empty M1 to Stratford upon Avon, Long Itchington and Coventry - a city reborn after its 1940 destruction
Ancient Mop Fair Ancient Mop Fair
Non-Fiction 1914 1 mins Silent Location: Stratford-upon-Avon
The annual mop fair in Stratford-Upon-Avon, including the roasting of an ox
Mr. Therm's Review No. 4 Mr. Therm's Review No. 4
Cinemagazine 1955 12 mins Location: Olney
Stained glass, a pancake race and actors Anthony Quayle and Barbara Jefford feature in this promo from the Gas Council
England's Shakespeare England's Shakespeare
Travelogue 1939 18 mins Location: Stratford-upon-Avon
Have a trip away from the hustle and bustle and travel by rail to take in the sights of Shakespeare country.
Shakespeareland Shakespeareland
Amateur film 1932 9 mins Silent Location: Wilmcote
Ticking off the tourist attractions of William Shakespeare's old stamping ground in a rather grand Rolls Royce.
British and Best British and Best
Non-Fiction 1928 0 mins Silent Location: Stratford-upon-Avon
A progressive design by a pioneering female architect beats all comers to become the new Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2023 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2023 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.