Chris Pannell, editor of The Oxfordian — the annual scholarly journal of the Shakespeare Oxford Fellowship
Hank Whittemore, author of 100 Reasons Shake-speare was the Earl of Oxford, and Chris Pannell, editor of The Oxfordian, were interviewed together on radio in Hamilton, Canada by the popular Bernadette Rule on “Art Waves” — an arts-interview radio program airing live every Sunday evening from 7 to 8 at 10l.5 FM.
Here’s a direct link:
https://archive.org/details/324HankWhittemoreChrisPannellSept.102017
CONTROVERSY ALERT:
During our radio interview, I expressed a view that is controversial among Oxfordians — those who have concluded that Shakespeare was Edward de Vere, earl of Oxford.
The controversial view I expressed is that William Shaksper of Stratford-upon-Avon was never an actor or part of the theatrical world and, during his lifetime (1564-1616), was never regarded as such — and then not until after publication of the First Folio of Shakespeare plays in 1623.
Upon the Stratford man’s death in 1616, no one paid any tribute to him that survives.
Some Oxfordians believe the Stratford businessman must have been an actor with the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (and/or the King’s Men); that he was a shareholder of the Globe playhouse; and that, at the very least, he had some connection to the London theatrical world. My view is that this is a kind of “retro” thinking; that is, even Oxfordians are still (in varying degrees) under the spell of the powerful myth of Shakespeare — “Surely the man must have had some connection to the theatrical world!” Well, I think not.
I know he was in London from time to time — applying for a coat of arms for his father, living on Silver Street, buying some property — but that’s not evidence of any connection to the players or play companies or playhouses.
So I welcome any discussion on this topic, especially any evidence from William of Stratford’s lifetime of any connection he may have had with the players or playhouses.
I believe this is a valuable discussion for us to have. So … bring it on!
Yours in Truth,
Hank
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