New USC exhibit ‘First Folio’ showcases Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was alive for 52 birthdays and saw his plays performed for fewer than three decades.

But more than 400 years later, the literary world still celebrates both.

The University of South Carolina is host of a traveling exhibit of William Shakespeare’s “First Folio,” the first collected edition of his works published in 1623. It’s part of an international commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.

“The stories Shakespeare told in the plays are timeless and so many of words and phrases first used in his plays are part of our everyday conversation,” said Elizabeth Sudduth, USC’s director of rare books and special collections.

Many scholars believe Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564 – there is a record of his baptism three days later – and died on the same day in 1616.

So one of the ways USC is commemorating First Folio is by celebrating Shakespeare’s birthday on Saturday, April 23 with several free events, among them:

USC Theatre’s Juke Box Shakespeare, with performances at noon and 2 p.m. in the green space outside Thomas Cooper Library. Experience the works of The Bard as they would have been originally performed – in an interactive, open-air setting.

Swordplay and dancing demonstrations, 11:30 a.m. on the green at the front of Thomas Cooper Library. The South Carolina Shakespeare Company members in period costume, armed with sabers, epees and broadswords, will describe and demonstrate the fighting methods in Shakespeare's time and in his plays. The company also will present and discuss Renaissance dances. Performances are 15 minutes and are repeated throughout the afternoon.

“The Medicine Show,” 1 p.m. in the Hollings Library Program Room. The South Carolina Shakespeare Company will perform scenes focusing on love, betrayal, health, healing and reconciliation.

Children’s shows, 2:30 and 3 p.m. in the Hollings Library Program Room. The South Carolina Shakespeare Apprentice Troupe and the Kidz Company follow “The Medicine Show” with children’s performances.

Birthday cake will be served at 4 p.m. on the patio in front of Thomas Cooper Library.

The “First Folio! The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare” exhibit runs through Saturday, April 30 in the Brittain Gallery of the Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library.

One of the world’s most treasured books, the First Folio includes 36 of his plays including “The Tempest,” “Macbeth” and “As you Like It.”

“Hosting the First Folio in Columbia will give people of all ages from across state an opportunity to see this great book in person,” Sudduth said.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 2:41 PM with the headline "New USC exhibit ‘First Folio’ showcases Shakespeare."