The Royal Shakespeare Company will mark Shakespeare’s birthday and the 400th anniversary of his death on Saturday 23 April 2016 with a huge range of free events in his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon. Enjoy drop-in activities, live music, acrobatic performances and craft activities around the theatres and gardens, and a free firework display at the end of the day. All events and activities can be found at www.rsc.org.uk/events/shakespeares-birthday-celebrations
SPECIAL EVENTS
Swan Wing re-opens
Saturday, 23 April
The oldest part of the RSC’s Stratford estate re-opens on Shakespeare’s Birthday, following a nine-month conservation project. The restoration and renovations include a new café bar, full of stories and objects from our Collection, and a brand new art commission by Steven Follen, ‘For All Time’. The three-metre high piece, which draws inspiration from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Shakespeare’s contemporary Ben Jonson, is made from 2,000 hand-folded metal stars.
The Other Place: From Page to Stage tour
Available now
New for 2016, the RSC’s theatre tour, ‘From Page to Stage’, gives unprecedented access to the rehearsal rooms and costume store at The Other Place - the RSC’s brand new performance space. Find out more about RSC productions, from the first day of rehearsals to the first performance, with an opportunity to look inside the RSC's store of 30,000 costumes for the very first time. www.rsc.org.uk/your-visit/tours-and-tower
Wondrous Strange
Saturday, 23 April, 2pm and again at 4pm, Bancroft Gardens, free
Acrobatic theatre company, Mimbre, present Wondrous Strange, a specially-commissioned performance, which will see Shakespeare’s most iconic characters in unexpected encounters, celebrating the physical and visual imagery of some of the best known moments in his plays.
BBC Radio 3
Friday, 22 April to Sunday, 24 April
Over the anniversary weekend, Radio 3 broadcasts live from The Other Place, the RSC’s newly re-opened studio theatre, and hosts a range of talks and events. www.rsc.org.uk/events/bbc-radio-3-sounds-of-shakespeare
Sonnets on the Ferry – tickets 50p each way
Saturday, 23 April 1.30pm-4.30pm, chain ferry by the Swan Gardens
Take a short trip across the River Avon on the classic old chain ferry while listening to Shakespeare’s words spoken by our actors. Suitable for all ages.
Shakespeare Live! From the RSC - broadcast live on BBC Two from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Directed by RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran.
Saturday, 23 April, 8.30pm
A special evening event, hosted by David Tennant and Catherine Tate, celebrating Shakespeare’s legacy across all the arts, in collaboration with the BBC. The line-up includes Helen Mirren, Gregory Porter, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rory Kinnear, Rufus Hound, Henry Goodman, Meera Syal, The Shires, David Suchet, Simon Russell Beale, Roger Allam, Paapa Essiedu Antony Sher, Harriet Walter, John Lithgow, Alexandra Gilbreath, Tim Minchin, Anne Marie Duff, Pippa Nixon, Orchestra of the Swan, the cast of Horrible Histories and Midlands Youth Jazz. Shakespeare Live! From the RSC will also be screened live to cinemas in the UK and Europe by Picturehouse Entertainment – onscreen.rsc.org.uk and in the US on 23 May – www.fathomevents.com #RSCLive
Spectacular fireworks display and Line of Light
Saturday, 23 April, 10.30pm-12 midnight, free
The RSC presents a stunning display of fireworks to mark the 400th anniversary, which includes a depiction of Shakespeare’s face outside the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. After the fireworks, people can follow the Line of Light from the theatre to Shakespeare’s grave at Holy Trinity Church. The fireworks have been created by London-based Emergency Exit Arts.
The Stratfords of the World Friendship Garden
Saturday, 23 April, all day, free
Visit a new friendship garden, based on A Midsummer Night’s Dream, created to celebrate the ongoing relationship between Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon and Stratfords of the World. Willow trees and white foxgloves line the mini-garden to give the moonlit feel of the forest from Shakespeare’s mystical play, which is currently playing at the RSC. Sculptor Emma Stothard creates two six foot willow sculptures of comic favourite, Bottom, and Queen of the fairies, Titania.
Shakespeare Steps: eight locations around Stratford-upon-Avon
Saturday, 23 April, all day, free
Follow footsteps and speech bubbles painted on pavements around Stratford-upon-Avon that work as instructions for acting out mini dramas. The self-guided tour is inspired by Shakespeare’s Seven Ages of Man speech from As You Like It and brings to life aspects of Shakespeare’s plays, his life in Stratford and historical facts about the town. Created by Stan’s Cafe. www.rsc.org.uk/events/shakespeare-steps
RSC Shakespeare on Screen, Stratford-upon-Avon Picturehouse
Until Sunday, 24 April
Stratford-upon-Avon Picturehouse and the RSC screen some of the Company’s most admired productions adapted or captured for television and the cinema. This is a chance to see iconic performances from Vanessa Redgrave, Paul Scofield, Ian McKellen, Judi Dench, David Tennant and many others.
ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE EVENTS
Drop-in Craft activities
Saturday, 23 April, 11.30am-4.15pm, Colonnade
Children can get crafty with special drop-in craft activities throughout the day.
Blood, Guts and Gore
Saturday 23 April, 12pm-12.45pm, Upper Circle Bar
Join former RSC Head of Wigs and Make-up, Brenda Leedham, as she demonstrates the tricks of the trade and how bruises, cuts and scars are created. Suitable for all ages.
Active Storytelling: Hamlet
Saturday, 23 April, 1pm-1.45pm, Upper Circle Bar
Enjoy being an actor and help to tell the story of Shakespeare’s Prince of Denmark in this special session where a storyteller will lead the way. Suitable for children aged four and over. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Singing
Saturday, 23 April, 2pm-2.45pm, Upper Circle Bar
Come and sing your heart out in a fun and lively session where you’ll learn some simple songs. No musical knowledge required. Suitable for ages seven plus.
Active Storytelling: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Saturday, 23 April, 3pm-3.45pm, Upper Circle Bar
Become an actor and help tell the story of Shakespeare's magical play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Dress-up and join in with the fun. Suitable for ages four plus.
ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE EXHIBITIONS
Well Said!
19 March – 18 September 2016, open from 10am until theatre closes
PACCAR Room, Royal Shakespeare Theatre
A range of famous cultural and literary figures, including award-winning playwright Tanika Gupta MBE, RSC Hamlet lead Paapa Essiedu, and comedian, rapper and actor Doc Brown, have shared their favourite Shakespeare quotes with the RSC.
Meet the Artist
Saturday, 23 April, 12 noon-1.30pm and again at 2.30pm-3.30pm
PACCAR Room, Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Visit our new free exhibition, Well Said!, and meet some of the artists who have created new works of art, inspired by some of Shakespeare’s most famous words. Free, suitable for all ages. No ticket required.
Swan theatre bar
Live Music
Saturday, 23 April, throughout the day
Enjoy musical performances in and around our new Swan Theatre Bar, refurbished as part of the heritage restoration of the Grade II listed Swan Wing, the oldest part of the RSC’s theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon.
SWAN GARDEN MARQUEE
Stage Fighting
Saturday, 23 April, 11.45am-12.45pm and again 2.45pm-3.45pm
Learn how the action is created on stage with this special workshop with an RSC expert. Suitable for adults and young people aged 10 plus. Entry is by ticket only, available from the marquee 15 minutes before the start time on a first come, first served basis. Numbers are limited.
Voice Workshop
Saturday, 23 April, 1pm-1.45pm
Budding actors looking to get the most out of their voice can enjoy taking part in this specially designed RSC voice workshop. Through exercises and games, youngsters can learn how to use their voice in performance, hear how actors prepare their voice and also get the chance to perform extracts from Shakespeare. Suitable for adults and young people aged 10 and over. Entry is by ticket only, available from the marquee 15 minutes before the start time on a first come, first served basis. Numbers are limited.
Dance Workshop
Saturday, 23 April, 2pm-2.30pm
Learn the Bergomask Dance from our current production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation. Suitable for adults and young people aged 10 and over. Entry is by ticket only, available from the marquee 15 minutes before the start time on a first come, first served basis. Numbers are limited.
ELSEWHERE IN THE UK AND IN AMERICA
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation - The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
Saturday 23 April
Following its opening in Stratford-upon-Avon in February 2016, A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation is currently on tour to all 12 regions and nations of the UK. In each area, the professional cast is joined by a local amateur company who play Bottom and the mechanicals. During the birthday week, the production, directed by RSC Deputy Artistic Director, Erica Whyman, will be at The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, where the mechanicals will be played by The Canterbury Players. Tickets: 01227 787787 and www.marlowetheatre.com
King & Country: Shakespeare’s Great Cycle of Kings
Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York, USA to 1 May 2016
Following performances in the UK and China, RSC Artistic Director, Gregory Doran directs King & Country, Shakespeare’s History play tetralogy comprising Richard II, Henry IV Parts I and II, and Henry V in repertoire as part of an exclusive season in the US at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). J.P. Morgan is the Global Tour Premier Partner for all four productions. www.bam.org
For further information, please contact RSC Press and Communications Officer Nurinder Mantell, nurinder.mantell@rsc.org.uk 01789 412657/07920 541729.
