It is rumoured that Shakespeare’s men may have played on King’s Lynn’s Guildhall stage, so as part of Heritage Open Weekend the King’s Lynn Arts Centre are celebrating all things Shakespeare with a screening of the film ‘Anonymous’.

Set in the political snake-pit of Elizabethan England, Anonymous speculates on an issue that has for centuries intrigued academics and brilliant minds; who actually created the body of work credited to William Shakespeare?

Anonymous poses one possible answer, focusing on a time when scandalous political intrigue, illicit romances in the Royal Court, and the schemes of greedy nobles lusting for the power of the throne were brought to light in the most unlikely of places: the London stage. The film stars Rhys Ifans, Vanessa Redgrave and David Thewlis.

Anonymous Film Poster.

An added bonus is a free introductory talk by expert Dr Matthew Woodcock, Senior Lecturer in Literature at the University of East Anglia, Norwich. Dr Woodcock has written several books about 16th Century literature including a study of Shakespeare’s Henry V and teaches courses that look at cinematic representations of Shakespeare’s plays.

The film will be shown on Thursday 6 September at 7.30pm, with the talk preceding it at 7.00pm. Tickets are £5 (£4.50) and visitors are advised to reserve their seats in advance by calling 01553 764864

Anonymous is part of Heritage Open Weekend (Thursday 6th – Sunday 9th September). All galleries at the Arts Centre will be open 10am – 5pm (including Sunday) over this special period.

www.kingslynnarts.co.uk