Poetry and paintings unite for Shakespeare in Art at the Laing Gallery in Newcastle

Exhibition: Shakespeare in Art, Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, until April 29 2012

Characters from Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice and more of Shakespeare’s finest combine with some of the Laing's finest Victorian oil paintings and watercolours in this meeting of palettes and performance to mark the 175th birthday of Newcastle’s Theatre Royal later this year.

They include prints and objects from the Tyne and Wear Archives, Walter Howell Deverell’s scene from As you Like it, Thomas Francis Dicksee’s Juliet and watercolours from William George Simmonds' Hamlet series, which were used to illustrate an edition of the play 100 years ago.

"The range of works on display illustrates how artists have been inspired by Shakespeare's plays," says Curator Julie Milne.

"We hope that visitors will enjoy exploring these works and through them the depth and richness of Shakespeare's work."

Decorative art and objects will also accompany a number of newly-conserved illustrative engravings going on rare public display.

• Open 10am-5pm (2pm-5pm Sunday). Admission free.

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