Students' app allows Shakespeare fans to make connections to the city

Mapbeth guides users around the Shakespeare-related locations in the city including Monk Bar which is associated with Richard III and Bishops Palace which links to Henry V.

Students from three different programmes across the Faculty of Arts have been involved. Michael Carr, Bethan Owen, Sophie Barber, Keegan Snell and Joshua Dawson who are studying degrees in Computer Science, Literature and History have worked together to identify the York sites, write content and develop the mobile software.

Julie Raby, Head of Department for Humanities, said: “This was a live project which supported the students in developing their employability skills. The project enabled the students from different disciplines to collaborate together to produce what is an exciting final product.”

Mapbeth will be available from the Google Play store and is compatible with Android phones.

The sites will also feature in an exhibition as part of the Popular Shakespeares event which is being held at York St John University next week as part of the York International Shakespeare festival.

Popular Shakespeares Part 1 is at Temple Hall on Friday 15 May at 2pm. Tickets are free and available from the York Theatre Royal website.