THE BARD?

That is the question posed by the unveiling of a portrait of a dark-eyed man in Elizabethan finery in central London on March 9th. Experts say it is likely the only portrait of William Shakespeare painted in his lifetime.

Professor Stanley Wells, chairman of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and one of the leading experts on Shakespeare studies, poses next to the newly discovered portrait. The portrait has belonged to one family for centuries but was not recognized as a portrait of Shakespeare until recently. There are very few likenesses of Shakespeare, who died in 1616. (AP)

Archaeologists have also uncovered the foundations of the theatre in Hackney where Shakespeare first wrote and performed before moving to The Globe.

Shakespeare wrote and performed at the Hackney site from 1594-7 and the Tower Theatre Company wants to recreate it.