Shakespeare Country celebrates St George’s Day

Celebrate the Patron Saint of England, St George on Thursday 23 April with a host of activities for all the family in Shakespeare Country. The same day also happens to be the birthday of William Shakespeare which will see his home-town of Stratford-upon-Avon celebrate with a number of unique and prestigious events from 23 – 26 April.

The celebrations begin with the opening on 23 April of the much-anticipated Shakespeare Found portrait exhibition at the Shakespeare Centre. The exhibition will feature the newly identified ‘Cobbe portrait’ of Shakespeare, which has recently been the subject of worldwide media interest.

Visitors can enjoy a programme of activities across the four days, combining traditional celebrations with exciting, innovative events. On Saturday a procession will take place through Stratford-upon-Avon featuring guests from around the world making the pilgrimage from his birthplace to his grave at Holy Trinity Church. Many of Stratford’s streets will play host to musicians in costume, circus performers and wandering Shakespearean actors.

Family events will take place at the five Shakespearian Houses over the celebratory period. A flower sculpture of Shakespeare’s coat of arms will be displayed outside Nash’s House and children will be invited to dress as Shakespearian characters under the house’s famous mulberry tree. Children visiting Mary Arden’s Farm will be given a slice of birthday cake and a balloon.

The Bancroft Gardens will be formally re-opened on the morning of Friday 24 April and will be used to stage many activities and events throughout the celebrations on Saturday, from English folk dancing to Shakespearian Morris men.

As part of the celebrations the Royal Shakespeare Company will be offering a range of diverse activities. The RSC has teamed up with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust to commission artists to develop two events that celebrate and reinterpret Shakespeare’s genius. Two significant moments have inspired the artists with whom the RSC is working. Sonnet Sleuth, created by New York poet and performance artist, Nicole Blackman, is a literary scavenger hunt celebrating the 400th anniversary of the publication of The Sonnets.

On Sunday 26 April at 2pm the RSC will hold Transforming Our Theatres – The Next Stage, giving visitors an update on the work taking place to transform the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. On Saturday 25 April Sonnets on the Ferry will give visitors the chance to be entertained with Shakespearian sonnets as they cross the River Avon.

On Thursday 23 April the Holy Trinity Church will hold Holy Communion at 9:15am whilst at 11am visitors can enjoy coffee and birthday cake in the company of Trinity Players who will read verses by Shakespeare. A Shakespeare Birthday organ recital will take place at 8:00pm. On Sunday 26 April the annual Shakespeare Service will take place at 11:00am marking the final day of celebrations.

Kenilworth Castle is celebrating St George's Day with entertainment for the family including an appearance from St George himself, resplendent in shining armour and ready to take on the dragon in a recreation of the famous legend. Visitors can try on period armour and clothing and enjoy a unique version of the story performed by puppets.

Join Stratford Town Walk on 23 April for a guided walk following in Shakespeare's footsteps from his birthplace to his grave. See the Shakespeare Houses, the grammar school and theatres and uncover facts about his life and family. Take part in a magical ghost walk around Stratford for tales of ghosts, witches, murder and misery. Discover the ghostly side of Hall's Croft and the gruesome murder in the Churchyard.

Visit The Falstaff’s Experience and see the Earl of Oxford’s Men recite Shakespearian sonnets throughout the day in full Elizabethan costume. On the Saturday they will perform Shakespeare plays in the atmospheric courtyard with documented Shakespeare connections. Tudor ghost tours will also take place at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm and 9pm.

The Creaky Cauldron will host a Shakespearian Ghost Hunt at the Stratford Ripper Experience using traditional Elizabethan ghost hunting methods on the night of Shakespeare’s birthday. The event will take place over three floors of a building that dates back to the early 1500’s. The evening will include psychic workshops and a traditional ghost hunt and séance.

The Almonry Heritage Centre in Evesham is launching their Asparagus Showcase and the Asparagus Run to Stratford on 23 April. The Asparagus Showcase is an exhibition of folklore, recipes, photos and memories about this highly valued crop that will run from 23 April - 30 May.

For theatre and attraction tickets, accommodation, brochures, special offers and more information visit the official website: shakespeare-country.co.uk.

Contact the Stratford-upon-Avon and Leamington Spa Tourist Information Centres for discounted tickets for Warwick Castle, Alton Towers, Madame Tussauds and Blenheim Palace.