It’s 450 years today since William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-on Avon.

“Let no one weep for me, or celebrate my funeral with mourning; for I still live, as I pass to and fro through the mouths of men.”
-Quintus Ennius

Stratford itself always celebrates the birthday on a weekend and this year is no exception.  This coming Saturday and Sunday will see a birthday procession, street entertainers (including Morris Men), a special lunch and even a visit from Lady Godiva.

Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Stratford-on-Avon

The Globe Theatre’s 2014 season opens tonight and this year they are featuring their usual wide range of Shakespeare’s productions, including All’s Well in Gujurati and Midsummer Night’s Dream in British Sign Language, plus Hamlet, Much Ado and King Lear will all be on tour.

Personally, I’m hoping to get to see a performance at the new Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-on Avon.  Needless to say, the RSC has a range of the bard’s works in performance this year in Stratford and London, and on tour.  They even have a special version of The Tempest, one of my favourites, redesigned to appeal to children with autism. I’m aiming to see Two Gentlemen of Verona, in its first appearance on the Royal Shakespeare Theatre stage in 45 years. For those of you who would like to see it but can’t get to Stratford, it will be showing live on cinema screens on 3 September this year.

If you have children and would like to introduce them to Shakespeare, you can’t do better than choosing an Open Air Theatre production.  The setting alone will captivate them (it always does me), and this year they have a children’s version of Twelfth Night.  I just need to borrow a child to give me an excuse to join the fun.

Pride and Prejudice, Open Air Theatre, Regents Park, 2013

Linked to Shoot and Quote: Celebrate.