THE DAVID SHIPWAY LECTURE 2024
For “Lady Macbeth” read “Uncle Donald”. – How the Jesuits doctored Shakespeare
This annual free public lecture is sponsored by the Friends of Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery. It was founded in memory of David Shipway, who served the society in many ways from its early years up to his death in 2016.
This year’s lecture, which takes place at 2pm on Saturday 8th June at Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery, will be given by Jan Graffius, Curator of the Museum at Stonyhurst College.
Drama was central to Jesuit education. Dr Graffius takes a light-hearted look at how they reconciled their exclusively male students with the complex demands of Shakespeare's plays.
She will explore the rich history of Jesuit drama, and the little-known story of the exclusion of female roles from their stage, resulting in many plays being adapted in surprising ways. The best example is St Omers College's contortions to perform Shakespeare
without the leading roles of Ophelia, Lady Macbeth and Miranda. The recasting of these powerful female figures as men led to astonishing performances of  Macbeth where Lady Macbeth was transformed into Uncle Donald.
The lecture is open to all, free of charge. There is no need to book