James Shapiro is one of the world’s leading experts on Shakespeare. His latest book on the great Bard, 1606: The Year of Lear was listed among the best books of 2016 by The Wall Street Journal, The Times Supplement and The Guardian. He speaks with Tom Wright about 1606: the year that produced King Lear,Macbeth and Antony and Cleopatra. In James’ deft hands, quantities of research become a brisk and animated history, as he illuminates Shakespeare’s bursts of creativity against the backdrop of a ‘troubled national mood’.

James Shapiro is one of the world&rsquo;s leading experts on Shakespeare. His latest book on the great Bard, 1606: The Year of Lear&nbsp;was listed among the best books of 2016 by The Wall Street Journal, The Times Supplement&nbsp;and The Guardian. He speaks with Tom Wright about 1606: the year that produced King Lear, Macbeth and Antony and Cleopatra. In James&rsquo; deft hands, quantities of research become a brisk and animated history, as he illuminates Shakespeare&rsquo;s bursts of creativity against the backdrop of a &lsquo;troubled national mood&rsquo;.

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