A Selection of Videos on YouTube on the Shakespeare Authorship Question

Videos on YouTube arguing that Edward De Vere (and not the man from Stratford-upon-Avon) wrote the Shakespeare plays

Did Shakespeare Really Write Shakespeare?

On February 11, 2016, Tom Regnier gave a presentation at the North Palm Beach (Florida) Public Library on the topic, “Did Shakespeare Really Write Shakespeare? Or Did Someone Else?” Regnier is a lawyer; an Appeals Attorney at Tom Regnier Appeals, P.A. This talk was distributed by the Shakespeare Oxford Fellowship.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpFXD07_NYg

Real Shakespeare: Edward de Vere, the 17^th Earl of Oxford

This is a talk from 1995 by a descendent of Edward de Vere: Charles Francis Topham de Vere Beauclerk, Earl of Burford. Despite some of his right-wing, Little Englander nationalist, anti-academic views, he provides some worthwhile arguments as to why Edward de Vere wrote the plays of ‘Shakespeare’.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0Nv6Oy5wpo  

Shakespeare Authorship / Crackpot to Mainstream

A talk by Dr. Keir Cutler, author of ‘The Shakespeare Authorship Question: A Crackpot’s View’ (2014).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpc5A-14tmw

Shakespeare Authorship Question: Why Was I Never Told This?

A talk by Dr. Keir Cutler. He focuses on the personal experiences that lead him to doubt whether William Shaksper of Stratford-on-Avon wrote the plays of ‘William Shakespere’.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyVjR9FNo9w

The Shakespeare Mystery

A ‘Frontline’ programme, originally made in 1989 – but still very interesting regarding the Shakespeare authorship debate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkqcLJZ9I3s

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Mark Rylance, Founding and Former Artistic Director of the Globe Theatre being interviewed about the Shakespeare Authorship question, saying that there is room for ‘reasonable doubt’

Mark Rylance – Part One (Founding Artistic Director of the Shakespeare Globe Theatre, London) – Interview about the Shakespeare Authorship Question

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETCCsi4ErNk

Mark Rylance – Part Two (Founding Artistic Director of the Shakespeare Globe Theatre, London) – Interview about the Shakespeare Authorship Question

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpjMPihbif4

Mark Rylance tends towards Bacon, although also thinks it could be De Vere, or even some other playwright(s)

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IMPORTANT

Sir Derek Jacobi and Mark Rylance discuss the ‘Declaration of Reasonable Doubt’, arguing that there is ‘Reasonable Doubt’ about the authorship question. I have just signed the petitions. Over 3,000 people have signed the petition. If you agree, that there is 'Reasonable Doubt' then do sign the petition!

Sir Derek Jacobi and Mark Rylance discuss The Declaration of Reasonable Doubt – Published on YouTube on April 24, 2016.

On the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the death of Mr. William Shakspere of Stratford, Sir Derek Jacobi and Mark Rylance reaffirm their support for the Declaration of Reasonable Doubt About the Identity of William Shakespeare, which they launched in the UK in a signing ceremony in Chichester, West Sussex, 8th September, 2007. The petition can be signed at http://www.doubtaboutwill.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZNYifQfYiE

The Tempest (through fresh eyes, for me!)

On the 400^th Anniversary of the death of the man from Stratford, I thought it appropriate to write a review of a wonderful production of ‘The Tempest’ that we saw on Wed (20^th April 2016) at the Rudolf Steiner House in London. Now, whilst we knew about the great work of Steiner, and indeed, Glenn taught this when he was a lecturer in Education Studies at the University of Northampton, we knew nothing about the existence of this House. It is just by Baker Street, and is very easy to find. It is the headquarters of the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain and was built in the 1920s and 1930s. There is a lovely theatre there, as well as meeting rooms, a small library, a bookshop and a café. It is truly wonderful.

Now, on to the play! This is the first ‘Shakespeare’ play that we have seen live, since Glenn and I both became convinced that Edward De Vere wrote all those plays, and not Shakespeare. I have now bought the whole BBC DVD collection – in 1978 the BBC decided to make productions of all of the 37 Shakespeare plays. I have already watched quite a lot of them, and they all make much more sense and are far more enjoyable to me now that I am looking at them through the eyes of the actual author!

Still, I read some summaries beforehand of 'The Tempest', by way of preparation. They were of some help, but they were also rather confusing, because they did not have a clear overview and perspective and there was too much detail.

Now, really on to the play, which was wonderful. Great acting, fantastic and colourful costumes, very lively etc. etc. But the main thing was that we knew clearly what was going on! Glenn and I both felt exactly the same about it all. Much of the play is about magic, alchemy and paganism. It was one of the last plays, but this is a wonderfully optimistic play as opposed to ‘King Lear’ (another of the last plays), but which is so pessimistic. This is De Vere trying to make sense of, and come to terms with his life, as he knew he was nearing the end. King Lear is about him giving everything away, losing everything to his daughters, and how this got him depressed and then sent him mad (as 2 of Leer's 3 daughters were rotten). De Vere also had 3 daughters.

‘The Tempest’, in contrast, is very optimistic. Here, De Vere manages to get control over things, with the help of magic, alchemy and pagan rituals. Prospero (De Vere/John Dee) was the Duke of Milan, but whilst he was reading books and studying his brother took the Dukedom away from him. He was banished to an island, with his only daughter.

Then, there is a shipwreck. Prospero created the storm with his magic powers (which he got from his books, which he was able to take with him to the island). Why did he do this? Because Alonso (the King of Naples), and his brother and son are on the ship. Alonso supported Prospero’s brother, in helping him to take over the Dukedom in Milan and Prospero wants to confront him.

As the play progresses we learn that there are now plots to kill 2 people on the island – Prospero (lead by Caliban, the beast) and Alonso, the King of Naples (lead by Sebastian, Alonso’s brother, who wants to take over and become the King of Naples in similar fashion to what happened with the Milan Dukedom). In ‘Hamlet’, also, we see the brother taking over the kingdom after his brother's death, and marrying his brother’s wife.

On the positive side, Ferdinand (Alonso’ son) falls in love with Miranda (Prospero’s daughter). But this is tricky stuff – 2 houses potentially ‘at war’ with each other (as in ‘Romeo and Juliet’). But all comes good.

Prospero, with the help of Ariel, his magic fairy, stops the plots to kill Prospero and Alonso and rejoices in the marriage of Ferdinand and Miranda.

So, with his magic Prospero brings peace and tranquillity. He can now leave all this behind and be at peace. This is De Vere realising that he is soon to die, I feel sure, but being at peace with himself and with all those about him (as opposed to Lear). We are left with a sense of community and of well-being.

So, Edward De Vere at the end of his days was in conflict with himself - with Lear (the negative side) and Prospero (the positive side).

See also my blog entry 'Anonymous' on 20th Novermber 2015 in regard to who wrote the plays

'Why Study the Rich?'

Public Programme at Rabbits Road Institute

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'Why Study the Rich?'

April 23, 2016 12.30-5.30pm, Free

An afternoon of talks and discussion

Refreshments served. Older children and young adults welcome.

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‘Why study the Rich?’ is an event that brings together cross-disciplinary approaches to studying wealth in society. Come and listen to talks by activists, writers and artists whose scrutiny, investigation and differing perspectives attempt to challenge cultural narratives and societal structures that are intrinsically linked to the maintenance of power.

Open discussion with the audience is encouraged throughout the afternoon, as together we discuss how studies of ‘the rich’ might reveal a deeper understanding of the conditions of contemporary life and contribute to the debate about inequality in society.

Confirmed Speakers:

Roger Burrows, Professor of Cities at Newcastle University

Aditya Chakrabortty, senior economics commentator for the Guardian

Jeremy Gilbert, writer, researcher and activist & Professor of cultural and political theory at UEL

Katharina Hecht, Phd student at LSE, on Economic Inequality

Jo Littler, Reader in cultural industries at City University London

Laure Provost, Artist, screening film ‘How to make money religiously’

‘Why study the Rich?’ culminates a project called The Rich as a Minority Group by artists Ruth Beale and Amy Feneck in collaboration with GCSE Sociology students from Little Ilford School in Newham.

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