PLANS are under way for the town to commemorate Droitwich legend John Heminge for the 400th anniversary of the publication of the ‘First Folio’.
The First Folio is the first collected edition of William Shakespeare’s plays, which were collated and edited by Heminge and Henry Condell seven years after the legendary playwright’s death.
Both Heminge and Condell were actors and friends of Shakespeare.
The town council is now looking into having a commemorative plaque and inscription installed at St Peter’s church, where Heminge was baptised.
The planning process for the plaque is being facilitated by the church.
A copy of the First Folio has also been purchased from Stratford upon Avon, which will be on display as part of the Heritage centre museum’s collection.
A dedicated contact has also been made with the Shakespeare Trust.
It is hoped the Trust will be able to loan some Heminge-related material to the museum for a pop-up display closer to October’s official anniversary.
Other tributes have included adding new material referencing Heminge to the tourism website, on the Heritage Centre’s social media and on printed leaflets.
And on July 15 ‘A Wymsical Dream of Midsummer’ will be performed at the Norbury Theatre.
The production is presented by Wymsical Theatre and celebrates the works of Shakespeare through song and dance.
Of the 36 plays published in the First Folio, 18 had not yet been printed, meaning many of Shakespeare’s classics such as Macbeth and Julius Caesar may have never survived without Heminge’s work.
At Monday’s community and amenities meeting, Coun Richard Morris, who was acting as stand-in chair, encouraged other residents to come forward with ways to celebrate Heminge.
He said: “This is a hugely important piece of history as Shakespeare may not be known as he is today if the First Folio wasn’t published.
“We should be hugely proud Heminge is associated with the town’s history and this anniversary is a cause for big celebration.”
