Cumberland Lodge in Windsor Great Park has been linked to some famous names from the world of literature, politics and art over the years.

But this week the 17th-century country house will be offering admirers of Shakespeare a unique opportunity to make the acquaintance of the greatest playwright the world has known - through the eyes of two of his greatest admirers.

Cumberland Lodge now operates as a famous charitable foundation holding residential conferences, lectures and discussions.

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On Thursday it will welcome two of the world’s leading Shakespearean scholars, Sir Stanley Wells and Dr Paul Edmondson who will be in conversation with the chief executive of Cumberland Lodge Canon Dr Ed Newell.

The event is part of the regular series of Cumberland Conversations from Cumberland Lodge but will be held via Zoom because of the pandemic from 6pm to 7.30pm.

Sir Stanley and Dr Edmondson will discuss their new book All The Sonnets of Shakespeare, which assembles the sonnets in their probable order of composition giving a fresh sense of what the sonnet form meant to the great man.

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There will also be an opportunity for the online audience to submit questions to the guest speakers.

Sir Stanley is former Chairman of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (1991-2011) and former vice-chairman of the the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Dr Edmondson is the Head of Research and Knowledge at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Places should be registered in advance via this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_E6hBoM5XSKyttLxN8oasfA

You do not need a Zoom account to register or join; once registered you will be able to watch the event live as a non-video participant and take part in the live Q&A.

If you prefer not to join on Zoom, Cumberland Lodge will also be streaming the discussion on its Facebook page at facebook.com/cumberlandlodge.

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