It’s a Mess!

The final episode of the series looks at some near misses where a First Folio has been lost or stolen, and looks at how the book will be preserved for the future. Four hundred years after it was first published, Greg ‘One of the great Shakespearians of his generation’ (Sunday Times), explores the remarkable history of the Folio, arguably the most famous secular text in the world. Travelling to libraries, museums and private collections in 10 countries, he visits as many as possible of the surviving copies of the First Folio in existence today. Music composed by Paul Englishby

The story of the Folger library and more of the people who have owned First Folios, including His Majesty King Charles III, who makes a guest appearance.  The extraordinary stories of Shakespeare’s First Folio uncovered by RSC Artistic Director Emeritus, Greg Doran. The second part of Greg's journey tells the story of Hemminges and Condell, turns up some of the printing errors that crept into the first folio, and explores traces of long-gone owners across some of the copies.  Four hundred years after it was first published, Greg ‘One of the great Shakespearians of his generation’ (Sunday Times), explores the remarkable history of the Folio, arguably the most famous secular text in the world. Travelling to libraries, museums and private collections in 10 countries, he visits as many as possible of the surviving copies of the First Folio in existence today. This episode contains some strong language.  Music composed by Paul Englishby

Greg continues his journey with stories of first folio owners including an 18th century lesbian sculptor, an Edwardian Antarctic explorer, a gay millionaire and an Oscar-winning lyricist. Four hundred years after it was first published, Greg ‘One of the great Shakespearians of his generation’ (Sunday Times), explores the remarkable history of the Folio, arguably the most famous secular text in the world. Travelling to libraries, museums and private collections in 10 countries, he visits as many as possible of the surviving copies of the First Folio in existence today. Music composed by Paul Englishby

What to do when a cat walks across your priceless copy of the First Folio. The extraordinary stories of Shakespeare’s First Folio uncovered by RSC Artistic Director Emeritus, Greg Doran. The second part of Greg's journey tells the story of Hemminges and Condell, turns up some of the printing errors that crept into the first folio, and explores traces of long-gone owners across some of the copies.  Four hundred years after it was first published, Greg ‘One of the great Shakespearians of his generation’ (Sunday Times), explores the remarkable history of the Folio, arguably the most famous secular text in the world. Travelling to libraries, museums and private collections in 10 countries, he visits as many as possible of the surviving copies of the First Folio in existence today. This episode contains some strong language.  Music composed by Paul Englishby

"What on earth am I doing? Travelling around the world, trying to see 200 copies of the same book." Greg begins his journey around the world looking for every first folio in existence, including the RSC's own copy in Stratford-upon-Avon. Find out how the Pope got involved and follow the first stage of Greg's journey to Birmingham, Skipton and Cologne. The extraordinary stories of Shakespeare’s First Folio uncovered by RSC Artistic Director Emeritus, Greg Doran. Four hundred years after it was first published, Greg ‘One of the great Shakespearians of his generation’ (Sunday Times), explores the remarkable history of the Folio, arguably the most famous secular text in the world. Travelling to libraries, museums and private collections in 10 countries, he visits as many as possible of the surviving copies of the First Folio in existence today. Music composed by Paul Englishby