Welcome to Shakespeare in Performance: Prompt Books from the Folger Shakespeare Library


Shakespeare in Performance showcases rare and unique prompt books from the world-famous Folger Shakespeare Library. These prompt books tell the story of Shakespeare’s plays as they were performed in theatres throughout Great Britain, the United States and internationally, between the seventeenth and twentieth centuries.

Nature and Scope

Find out more about the content included in Shakespeare in Performance.

What is a Prompt Book?

Learn more about the nature, format and purpose of the prompt books featured in Shakespeare in Performance.

Comparing Sources

Discover the tools that can be used to aid comparative study in Shakespeare in Performance.

Visual Highlights

Discover a wealth of visual highlights from Shakespeare in Performance, including costume illustrations, photographs and scenery designs.

Biographies

Find out more about the fascinating lives and careers of a selection of the most distinguished Shakespearean actors and actresses, from the eighteenth century through to the twentieth.

Glossary

A guide to key words and phrases associated with the content of Shakespeare in Performance.