Birmingham to be Shakespeare digital hub

An interactive map bringing Shakespeare’s world to life on a large touch table is to be installed at the Library of Birmingham.Cllr Penny Holbrook

The announcement was made today at an event attended by Royal Shakespeare Company artistic director Gregory Doran and BBC director general Tony Hall.

The touch table will let visitors explore the life, times and works of Shakespeare and his contemporaries in a new and innovative way and feature clips of well-known interpreters of the Bard, historic documents and information about theatres and the locations of his plays.

It is part of the BBC’s decision for Birmingham to be the digital hub for its plans to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death in 2016.

Councillor Penny Holbrook, cabinet member for skills, learning and culture, said: “I am delighted that Birmingham will be the digital centre for next year’s Shakespeare celebrations and that the Library of Birmingham is at the heart of this.

“Shakespeare’s themes are so universal and so relevant today that it is really important we continue to find new ways for his works to speak to people, particularly those who might feel that Shakespeare isn’t for them.

“I’m also really pleased that the Library of Birmingham is continuing to develop close collaborations with other organisations; this follows closely on the heels of our partnerships with the British Library and Google, and the announcement of the Brasshouse language centre moving to the library.”

The touch table collaboration is just one of a number of Shakespeare-related activities being staged at the Library of Birmingham during 2016, including a Shakespeare exhibition in The Gallery in partnership with the British Library.

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