The Trial of Shakespeare

Were the plays of the First Folio really written by William Shakespeare of Stratford on Avon? Or is the claim that he was their author a fraud?

A trial of the issue will take place in Middle Temple’s Elizabethan Hall where many of the plays were performed and where the question will be decided. Judged by former and sitting Court of Appeal and High Court judges, prosecuted and defended by eminent King’s Counsel and with evidence from leading experts on Shakespeare’s life and works this is an entertaining evening’s exploration of the controversies, questions and wonder of the plays and the man - or woman - behind them.

This session will be of real interest to anyone with an interest in Shakespeare and his works BUT also will be of value to anyone who is interested in advocacy involving experts and the reputation of a “National Treasure”.

The Counsel are:

Benet Brandreth KC defence for the man from Stratford

Bernard Richmond KC prosecuting

The judges are:

Sir Christopher Floyd PC

Dame Joanne Smith DBE

Dame Maura McGowan DBE

The Witnesses are:

Dr Ros Barber is Senior Lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Director of Research at the Shakespearean Authorship Trust. She is author of Shakespeare: The Evidence and the Coursera course Introduction to Who Wrote Shakespeare.

Kelley Costigan is an actress and director with a background in English Renaissance Drama in both the UK and the US. She has performed many Shakespearean roles including Beatrice, Lady Macbeth and Puck. She holds an MPhil in English (Shakespeare Studies) from the University of Birmingham’s Shakespeare Institute.

Alexander Waugh is a Senior Visiting Fellow at the University of Leicester, editor, author of many books including The House of Wittgenstein, Shakespeare in Court and The New Shakespeare Allusion Book. His YouTube lectures on Shakespeare have received over one million views.

Dr Abigail Rokinson-Woodall is no longer appearing.

Organised in conjunction with the DeVere Society. 

All proceeds from this event will go to the Middle Temple Sir Paul Jenkins Fund. Master Jenkins' passion for diversity translated into an effort to give students from underrepresented backgrounds the best chance to compete in the race for success in the profession. Paul's fund aims to encourage and support those who have the talent but not the means to come to, and remain at, the Bar.

Students and transferring lawyers need to attend the whole event in order to be awarded a Qualifying Session.