A new museum, which is set to house the remains of the theatre where the famous play of Romeo & Juliet was first shown, is set to open later this year. The Shakespeare Museum is going to offer a deep dive into his work, and it’s also going to be built on the remains of the Curtain Theatre. The ruins themselves are going to be used as part of the display, due to their historical significance.
The Lasting Impact of Shakespeare
Shakespeare is known for his iconic work, with plays including Romeo & Juliet as well as Henry V. His play, Antony and Cleopatra, is also one of his most famous works. It follows the story of the Queen of Egypt, who is the central figure in the story. She is portrayed as being complex, powerful, and charismatic, but her relationship with Antony ultimately leads to her downfall. Cleopatra is still, to this day, a cultural icon, with her legacy stretching far beyond the stage. Her influence is even present in modern forms of entertainment. Jada Pinkett Smith once starred in a docudrama, called Queen Cleopatra, for example.
Games, like Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest, also showcase Cleopatra as a central figure, and within iGaming, you also have the Cleopatra slot game, which can be played at an online casino. This title shows the iconic Queen with her famous gold headdress, along with several Egyptian-themed symbols that pay homage to her reign. Modern media as a whole plays on her exotic imagery and royal opulence, just as Shakespeare did many centuries ago. Although depictions like this show how our interpretation of her has changed, it also highlights something very important. Shakespeare’s topics are timeless and are still as relevant today, as they ever have been.
The New Museum is Putting a Spotlight on Shakespeare and His Work
In the new museum, you will be able to walk across floating viewing platforms that hang above the remains of the original theatre. We also know that there is going to be an interactive, multisensory experience, with the opportunity to walk along the original stage from the old theatre. There’s also going to be construction above the restored Victorian railway viaduct, although no updates have been given on what this could be yet.
This building is set to be the biggest public space ever built in Shoreditch as well. Although there isn’t an official completion date for the theatre yet, it’s expected to open later this year. The opening is timed well, too, especially when you look at the current Shakespeare resurgence that’s happening in London. Tom Holland, for example, starred in the new Romeo and Juliet production, which was produced by Jamie Lloyd. The play, which was performed at the Duke of York’s theatre in London, was an iconic retelling of the story, yet it still stuck to the original theme very well.
Productions like this go to show that Shakespeare not only created famous work for his era, but work that would go on to stand the test of time, even years after his death. The fact that the original theatre is being preserved is a testament to not only his work, but the lasting impact he has had on our world.