Shakespeare in Sable

for Debra Ann Byrd and all who love the Harlem Shakespeare Festival

I dreamt there was a neighbourhood called Harlem,
Which starts in Henley Street and stretches far
Into the tender places of the soul;
Dressed in sable, like a King James’ bible,
These actors live their book of prophecy:
A truth that enters even tiny cracks
Of ice that clinks within our cocktail glass,
Shaken through dancing in Yatenga Bar.
We hear its beat in voices of the past:
James Hewlett, Henrietta Vinton Davis,
Ira Aldridge and that ol’ man river:
Paul Robeson – fighting, singing all his life –
A litany of light-filled pioneers
Who now ignite a living company:
Mary, Dathan, Norman, Julius,
Trezana, Voza, Nick, and Debra Ann.
They catch our breath, and now take wing and soar
Across the way, where Adam Clayton Powell
Holds hands with one hundred and thirty third,
Sweeping through Manhattan – angels’ wings –
That stir up all the dead leaves in the park,
And find new ways to kindle ancient fire.
This Harlem pride, this sisterhood of power,
Gives back to us a feeling of being free,
Like children playing round that cedar tree –
The one from Shakespeare’s garden, which we brought
To Harlem – marking all the years you’ve fought
Within its rings; those scars we still must trace.
This dream is true; I see it in your face.

by Paul Edmondson

Read On
Photo Recaps

Images from the Road

THE AMERICAN SHAKESPEARE CENTRE, STAUNTON, VA NASHVILLE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL, NASHVILLE, TN ...

2.20.15
Read On
Notes from the Road

'In Shakespeare's Steps'

In posting this last poem from the Road, written while we were towards the...

10.3.14
Read On
Notes from the Road

What would Shakespeare do?

In this interview with the Co-Founder of the American Shakespeare Center and its Artistic...

10.2.14
Read On
Notes from the Road

Infectious Enthusiasm

The American Shakespeare Center has a flourishing education programme which is based at the...

9.16.14
Read On
Notes from the Road

Actor-Centricity!

It was pleasure to meet with Glenn and Sara, Residential and Touring Troupe Managers...

9.12.14
Read On
Actor Insights

Actors’ Voices from the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

Greg Vinkler on Falstaff’s self-awareness and on being visited by the fat knight in...

9.11.14
Read On
Notes from the Road

Life at the Blackfriars

Our time with the last of our fourteen partners, The American Shakespeare Center at...

9.11.14
Read On
Notes from the Road

Energetic, Connecting Shakespeare

Denice Hicks is the Artistic Director of the Nashville Shakespeare Festival. It was our...

9.8.14
Read On
Notes from the Road

Eddie George and David Olney among the Stars of Nashville Shakes

Well, we’re back in Stratford-upon-Avon after our Shakespeare road-trip adventure. But in some ways...

9.7.14
Read On
Notes from the Road

The Song of the Bluegrass Bard

In this land of musician and poet, Through our Country, our Blues, and our...

9.3.14

Follow our journey across North America in search of Shakespeare