A COMPANY of actors which travels around the country bringing Shakespeare to life came even closer to the Bard himself when it visited Stonyhurst College.
Members of the Chapterhouse Theatre Company had a rare chance to see a First-Folio, which belongs to the college.
The first-ever edition of Shakespeares works, dating from 1623, contains virtually all the dramatists plays, including the original st
age directions.
Chapterhouse will perform its current open-air production of "Much Ado About Nothing" at Stonyhurst on July 17th, when the grounds will be open for picnics.
Producer Richard Main said: "It was inspirational for us to see the First-Folio at Stonyhurst College. The College itself is a perfect venue for 'Much Ado About Nothing'. I can assure you the performance on July 17th will be memorable."
The First-Folio was published seven years after Shakespeare's death by his friends and fellow actors, John Heming and Henrie Condell, who were also part owners of the Globe Theatre.
It contains the only surviving text of 18 of Shakespeares plays which had never before been printed. Many of the plays might have been lost, but for their actions.
There are thought to be 200 First-Folios still in existence, held in public and private collections, but few are in complete condition and are rarely on public view.
Stonyhursts edition was given to the college by Lord Arundell in the 1850s.
It is in excellent condition and is used, with care, by pupils for English and drama lessons and for college productions of Shakespeares plays.
Jan Graffius, the colleges curator, said: "Actors who performed Shakespeares plays during his lifetime, were just given loose sheets of paper with their lines on and stage directions.
"After he died, his friends, Heming and Condell, decided to publish this volume of 36 plays in his memory.
Many of the plays could have been lost but for them."
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