CALL FOR PAPERS: Garrick and Shakespeare

An International Conference

Kingston University at the Rose Theatre, Kingston-upon-Thames with Garrick's Shakespeare Temple
June 25th - June 27th 2014

Plenary Speakers:

Simon Callow (2014 Garrick Lecture)
Normal Clarke
Michael Dobson
Peter Holland

David Garrick’s Kingston connections date from 1754, when he bought the house beside the Thames known ever after as Garrick’s Villa, and built his Shakespeare Temple, where he would be famously painted by Zoffany. So, as part of the 2014 ‘Kingston Connections’ programme, Kingston University and the Rose Theatre will jointly host an academic conference to celebrate the great Shakespearean and commemorate his legacy to the Royal Borough.

Actor, manager, playwright, versifier, philosophical correspondent: Garrick excelled in many parts, and was possibly both the most praised and vilified cultural celebrity of his age. Authors whose plays he rejected and performers he did not employ were certainly not sparing in their attacks. ‘Garrick and Shakespeare’ therefore seeks to focus on his achievements as a Shakespeare interpreter and impresario, but also to re-examine Garrick’s controversial reputation.

Papers are invited on any aspect of Garrick’s life and work, but topics it is hoped to open for new consideration include his career as a Shakespearean actor, correspondence, celebrity status, and influence as an arts administrator. Please send a 300-word abstract together with brief cv. by March 31 2014 to:

Professor Richard Wilson
The Rose Theatre, 124-6 High Street
Kingston-upon-Thames KT1 1HL
r.wilson@kingston.ac.uk