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Not by Shakespeare: The White Devil by John Webster

Date / Time

  • May 11, 2017
    6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  • May 17, 2017
    8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Authored by masterful playwright (and contemporary of Shakespeare) John Webster, The White Devil is loosely based on a murder and trial in Italy 1585. Webster’s Italian courtiers seethe, cavort, and kill, but their schemes serve a covert purpose in satirizing the English royal court of his own day. This program features a one-time discussion of The White Devil, followed by a group trip to see the play as performed by The Philadelphia Artists Collective at the Broad Street Ministry.

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Hands-on Tour: Sleuths and Spies

Date / Time

  • May 26, 2017
    3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

The game is afoot to ferret out the realm of detective and spy literature at the Rosenbach. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to explore items including early mystery stories, a manuscript of Joseph Conrad’s Secret Agent, and an album belonging to a female Civil War spy. Synchronize your watches to 1500 hours and join us!

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Hands-On Tour: Shaping Shakespeare

Date / Time

  • May 19, 2017
    3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

When is Shakespeare not Shakespeare? And what is a folio, anyway? After seeing some of Shakespeare’s earliest printings and books that inspired his plots, we’ll explore how his work has fared at the hands of actors, editors, and forgers.

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Hands-On Tour: Charles Dickens (CANCELLED)

Date / Time

  • May 5, 2017
    3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Even if you’ve never read a line of Charles Dickens’s work, you know some of his creations. In this tour we’ll look at the original portrayals of Oliver Twist, Scrooge, and other memorable characters. Through manuscripts, letters, and other documents we’ll follow their creator’s progress from ambitious unknown to international celebrity.

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We the Detectives: Exhibitions and Immersive Theater Exploring the History of the Mystery

Sara Davis

Parkway Central Library Department of External Affairs 1901 Vine Street Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189 Phone: 215-567-7710 Contact: Alix Gerz Free Library to Present We the Detectives, Exhibitions and Immersive Theater Exploring the History of the Mystery Special exhibitions at the Rosenbach and the Free Library’s Rare Book Department merge with theatrical performances by New Paradise Laboratories …

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5 Questions with Michael Dirda

Sara Davis

A series of informal, intimate talks given by literary and cultural luminaries, In Conversation with the Rosenbach delves into fascinating histories, intellectual curiosities, and inspiring ideas. Each program offers the audience a chance to join the conversation after the talk and share their own thoughts and questions. Join us March 23 to hear book columnist …

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In Conversation with the Rosenbach: Michael Sims

Date / Time

  • April 20, 2017
    6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

In conjunction with our Clever Criminals and Daring Detectives exhibition, the Rosenbach warmly welcomes Michael Sims, author of Arthur and Sherlock: Conan Doyle and the Creation of Holmes.

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5 Questions with Tina Packer

Sara Davis

A series of informal, intimate talks given by literary and cultural luminaries, In Conversation with the Rosenbach delves into fascinating histories, intellectual curiosities, and inspiring ideas. Each program offers the audience a chance to join the conversation after the talk and share their own thoughts and questions. Join us February 27 as veteran Shakespeare performer …

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