University News Last updated 03 December 2013
The death of former Birmingham printer and type designer John Baskerville, will be explored in a play at the new Library of Birmingham this weekend.
Staff and students from Birmingham School of Acting (BSA), part of Birmingham City University, will perform their rendition of 'Hic Jacet or The Corpse in the Crescent', on Saturday 7 December, at 2pm.
Originally a radio play for the BBC, exploring the macabre events following the death of the Birmingham typographer, the play has been performed on only one other occasion since its original transmission date in 1948.
Lise Olsen, Course Director for the MA Acting programme at Birmingham School of Acting said: "In directing the piece I have tried to keep the feel of the regular radio transmission, even to the extent of having live FOLEY (sound effect) performers, as would have happened in the original transmission in 1948".
The play forms part of the Library of Birmingham's Volume Events programme - a series of events showcasing the wealth and breadth of publishing expertise in the region.
'Hic Jacet or The Corpse in the Crescent' will be a one off, free performance at the Book Rotunda, Library of Birmingham.