THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2024 | 7:30 PM
Red Bull Theater’s Sheen Center, Loreto Theatre, NYC

The Byron Society of America, in partnership with the Keats-Shelley Association of America, is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking theatrical event: Lord Byron’s Sardanapalus at Red Bull Theater in New York City. This production marks a significant moment in bringing Byron’s dramatic works to a contemporary audience, offering a rare opportunity to experience the poet’s theatrical genius firsthand.

A Masterpiece Un-Closeted

Sardanapalus, set in ancient Assyria, is a testament to Byron’s fascination with history and his ability to weave complex themes into compelling drama. The play explores power, love, and cultural identity through the story of the last Assyrian king—a ruler more interested in pleasure than politics, whose reign faces a dramatic upheaval.

Director Raz Golden, known for his innovative approach to classical texts, leads a stellar cast including Amir Arison, Amir Malaklou, and Sanjit De Silva. This production promises to breathe new life into Byron’s verse, making it resonate with modern audiences while preserving its Byronic essence.

A Collaborative Triumph

This production is more than just a theatrical event—it’s a celebration of Romantic literature and its enduring relevance. Our collaboration with the Keats-Shelley Association of America, Red Bull Theater, and the Keats-Shelley House in Rome represents a unique fusion of academic insight and artistic vision.

In addition, a special thanks must be given to Dr. Omar F. Miranda. Omar’s tremendous work with Byron’s plays, collaborations with Red Bull Theater, and general drive to bring exciting events to life will make this production a triumphant success!

“This production of Sardanapalus is a dream come true for Byronists and theater lovers alike. It’s a rare chance to see Byron’s dramatic craft in action and to appreciate the full scope of his literary genius.”

Dr. Emily Bernhard Jackson

Join Us for an Unforgettable Experience

The production will take place on October 24, 2024, at 7:30 PM ET at the Sheen Center, Loreto Theatre in New York City. For those unable to attend in person, the production will be available to stream online from October 25-30.

We invite you to join us for this exceptional event. Following the performance, experts and actors will lead a discussion, offering insights into the play’s themes, its place in Byron’s oeuvre, and its relevance to contemporary issues.

Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in Byron’s world and to see one of his marvelous works come to life on stage. Book your tickets now and be part of this historic moment in Romantic literary appreciation.

For tickets and more information, visit Red Bull Theater’s website.

Host a Watch Party!

There is a special opportunity for those who can’t make it to New York. The Keats-Shelley Association of America is generously funding Watch Parties across the globe! If you’re interested in hosting a gathering in your area to view the streamed performance, we want to hear from you.

What the K-SAA would like to offer you:

• a complimentary access code to watch the production at each site
• a PDF copy of the full written text of Sardanapalus: A Tragedy (1821)
• a set of discussion questions to encourage post-viewing conversation
• a promotion kit for social media and email advertising to your community

How to do it?

• Fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScq8c0-Yfn7_-WvbmuhGI_pg3-RwZda5OiDajiTLemw0hFLCw/viewform

This is a wonderful chance to bring your community together and be part of this historic event, no matter where you are.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2024 | 4-6:30 PM
Lecture: Kean Room, Drew University Library, NJ
Speaker: Professor Tom Mole, Durham University

As we enter the Autumn of the bicentenary year of Lord Byron’s death, we are pleased to announce the Fourteenth Leslie A. Marchand Memorial Lecture at Drew University. In partnership with Drew University’s Special Collections, home of the Byron Society Collection, this year’s event promises to offer keen insights on one of literature’s most captivating figures and his enduring impact on how we too remember the past.

“Byron and the Impossible Monument”

We are honored to be joined by distinguished speaker Professor Tom Mole, Principal of Van Mildert College at Durham University and Professor of English Literature and Book History. This timely talk will explore Byron’s fascinating relationship with commemoration. Dr. Mole’s lecture will delve into Byron’s lifelong engagement with monuments, examining how tombs, graves, and memorials played a crucial role in the poet’s travels and emotional connections to places.

Byron’s interest in these spaces, of course, went beyond the conventional. Dr. Mole will discuss the poet’s intrigue with failed, inadequate, or altogether absent monuments as well. From unmarked graves to lost remains and puzzling inscriptions, Byron challenges the norms and expectations of commemoration. Even in the validation felt standing where great figures left their dust, one begins to question the faithfulness—and permanence—of whatever still remains (and how long our own feelings of validation might last). Dr. Mole’s lecture offers unique contemplations about conventional commemorative pieties, truly meaningful markers, and legacy. 

Join us in the Kean Room at Drew University for an evening of intellectual stimulation and discovery! 

This event is not only for Byron enthusiasts or scholars of Romantic literature. Its focus on broader themes that extend far beyond bicentenary timelines will be sure to captivate all! In addition, the lecture will be followed by a Reception and tour of the BSA archives.

​​RSVP: speccol@drew.edu

For directions to Drew University and accommodation information, please visit:

• Directions: https://drew.edu/maps-directions/
• Accommodation: https://www.themadisonhotel.com/ (Ask for the Drew rate)

We look forward to seeing you there!