Shakespeare Riots in spotlight

Jonathan Richards, novelist, film critic, actor and political cartoonist, will talk about the infamous Shakespeare Riots that rocked New York’s Astor Place in May of 1849 at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Santa Fe Woman’s Club, 1616 Old Pecos Trail.

The confrontation grew out of the rivalry between the great British actor William Charles Macready and his rival, Edwin Forrest, the first American Shakespearean superstar. Class tensions and nativist pride boiled over into a full-fledged donnybrook as a mob stormed the Astor Place Opera House where Macready was performing. The mayor called out the state militia, which fired on the crowd. More than 20 people were killed.

The talk is presented by the International Shakespeare Center. Tickets are $10, students free.