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Walking Shadow: Love, Loss and Shakespeare
Not yet published
Expected 28 Jul 26A compelling blend of memoir, travelogue and investigation, Walking Shadow sheds new light on the past while Doran himself emerges from the darkness of loss.
After the death from cancer of his husband, Antony Sher, Greg Doran stepped down from his role as artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company. In the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's First Folio, and inspired by the surprising history of the company's own copy, he set out see how many of these important volumes he could find. Walking Shadow relives the months leading up to Sher's death, told via the two men's raw and loving diaries, and maps Doran's quest to track down folios worldwide.
The journey took him to Japan, where Doran met the emperor, and to New Zealand and South Africa where the legacy of Shakespeare has become entwined with the story of colonialism. In Europe, his trip to Frankfurt takes him to the place where the First Folio was initially offered for sale in 1622. While in England, he visits the places where Shakespeare and his actors once walked. Each copy has its own unique features – often visible only to the eagle-eyed – and remarkable tales.
By his journey's end, Doran had seen more than 200 First Folios – over 90 per cent of all the surviving copies – including one whose existence was previously unknown. He had also gained a greater understanding of Shakespeare and his times, as well as his impact on the world.
After the death from cancer of his husband, Antony Sher, Greg Doran stepped down from his role as artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company. In the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's First Folio, and inspired by the surprising history of the company's own copy, he set out see how many of these important volumes he could find. Walking Shadow relives the months leading up to Sher's death, told via the two men's raw and loving diaries, and maps Doran's quest to track down folios worldwide.
The journey took him to Japan, where Doran met the emperor, and to New Zealand and South Africa where the legacy of Shakespeare has become entwined with the story of colonialism. In Europe, his trip to Frankfurt takes him to the place where the First Folio was initially offered for sale in 1622. While in England, he visits the places where Shakespeare and his actors once walked. Each copy has its own unique features – often visible only to the eagle-eyed – and remarkable tales.
By his journey's end, Doran had seen more than 200 First Folios – over 90 per cent of all the surviving copies – including one whose existence was previously unknown. He had also gained a greater understanding of Shakespeare and his times, as well as his impact on the world.
- GenresShakespeareBiography
400 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 28, 2026
About the author
Greg Doran
5 books10 followersSir Gregory Doran (born 24 November 1958) is an English director known for his Shakespearean work. The Sunday Times called him 'one of the great Shakespearians of his generation'.
Doran was artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), succeeding Michael Boyd in September 2012. Since April 2022 he is director emeritus at the Royal Shakespeare Company.
His notable productions include a production of Macbeth starring Antony Sher, which was filmed for Channel 4 in 2001, as well as Hamlet in 2008, starring David Tennant and Patrick Stewart.
Doran was artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), succeeding Michael Boyd in September 2012. Since April 2022 he is director emeritus at the Royal Shakespeare Company.
His notable productions include a production of Macbeth starring Antony Sher, which was filmed for Channel 4 in 2001, as well as Hamlet in 2008, starring David Tennant and Patrick Stewart.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 30, 2026
This book is intwo parts. The first pary relates to the " death diaries" of Greg Doran's lifetime partner Anthony Sher the famous Shakespearean who died of liver cancer. This was an emotional read particularly for fans[ like me] of Anthony Sher's work. I live in Stratford so I have seen him on stage there many times.
The second part is a teip made following his partner's death is to visit all of Shakespeare's first folio's around the world. This was interesting as it depicted how the Foilo's found their new homes and the differences between the folio's and their annotations. An immersive book particularly if you are a Shakespeare fan.
The second part is a teip made following his partner's death is to visit all of Shakespeare's first folio's around the world. This was interesting as it depicted how the Foilo's found their new homes and the differences between the folio's and their annotations. An immersive book particularly if you are a Shakespeare fan.
Review of advance copy
Absolutely loving this book. The first part is the diary co-written by Tony Sher and Greg Doran as the former was dying of liver cancer- somehow life- affirming as well as distressing. The second part is to do with Doran’s search for the First Folios which exist in parts of the world. He makes us value our great libraries with wonderful stories of how they were founded and why. It is written with great wit ,intelligence and humanity. I never thought I would find printing and book binding so intriguing. Greg and Tony always wanted to do this, so it is a real pilgrimage of honour and remembrance.
Review of advance copy
Heartbreaking & uplifting in equal measure. The diary of Antony Sher following his cancer diagnosis & subsequent annotations by husband Greg Doran will wet your eyes repeatedly with the speed of his diagnosis & passing. But then Doran's global adventure to see as many First Folios as he can uplift the reader's soul with the tales behind each book & how institutions acquired them. The enthusiasm for the Bard by all the librarians, rare book specialists & actors is proof enough that Shakespeare's words will continue to be performed & read for many centuries to come because he speaks to so many people through his plays. Wonderful book & so glad Greg Doran shared Sher's diary & his own grief with the reader.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews