Activities and Events during the Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations on Saturday 26th of April 2008

Wednesday 23rd - Saturday 26th April, 'Post-a-Poem for Shakespeare': presented by The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and Stratford Public Library. Poems by school students are published by being displayed on the railings of Shakespeare's Birthplace - 'Hang there, my verse, in witness of my love.'

9.45am - Reception (by invitation): and assembly of distinguished guest at the Town Hall hosted by the President of the Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations, Sir Donald Sinden

10.00-10.50am - English Folk Dancing: in Henley Street, by children of the Stratford area, organised by the Willows School and the Shakespeare Morris Men

10.00-11.10am - The Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers: the Band plays in Bridge Street. Strolling players, circus performers and musicians in costume entertain the crowds. Shakespeare Live (groups of travelling players) moving through the streets with scenes from Shakespeare's plays.

10.40am - Distinguished guests leave the Town Hall: to be marshalled in the Great Garden of New Place, in Chapel Lane, for the procession.

10.45am - Children in the processions assemble outside the Birthplace

10.55am - The formal procession moves from Chapel Lane via Waterside: passing the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and banners for the Shakespearean plays in the 2008 repertoire, into Bridge Street

11.00am - Children in procession move to Market Cross to take up position: The Scouts and Guides will march up Bridge Street to celebrate St. George's Day and will take their places at the flag stations.

11.15am - Ceremony of unfurling flags: together with the banners for the works in the Shakespeare canon takes place in Bridge Street, Henley Street, High Street and Union Street. Unfurling is signalled by a roll of drums followed by the fanfare composed by Guy Woolfenden played by the Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers. Immediately following the unfurling of the flags, the National Anthem is played.

11.20-11.45 am - The procession then reforms behind the Band: and moves off to pass through the garden of Shakespeare's Birthplace, then via the Visitors' Centre where pupils from the Stratford High School and the Girls' Grammar School are assembled, to reform in Henley Street. The Shakespeare Morris Men entertain the crowds in Bridge Street

11.30-12.30pm - Shakespeare Live present scenes from (and about) Shakespeare in Bridge Street: Strolling players, circus performers and musicians in costume entertain the crowds in the streets.

11.35am approx - When the main procession clears Bridge Street, parties of school children from Stratford primary schools, assembled at the head of Union Street, form into a procession behind: the Evesham Celebration Reed & Brass Band, and move via High Street, Church Street and Old Town to Holy Trinity Church where the children line the nave of the church.

11.45am - The main procession, reforms in Henley Street, and walks the same route to Holy Trinity Church for the laying of floral tributes on the dramatist's grave: By tradition boys of Shakespeare's school (King Edward VI Grammar School) take up the lead as the main procession nears the school, and lay their floral tributes first.

11.50pm approx - As soon as the main procession is clear, the follow-on procession forms in Henley Street: behind the City of Coventry Corps of Drums. Groups and members of the public wishing to participate join in behind to follow the procession route to the church and lay floral tributes. The Shakespeare Morris Men bring up the rear of this procession.

12 noon-3.30pm - Reception (ticket only) followed by Luncheon in the Birthday Pavilion on Avonbank, at which The Pragnell Shakespeare Birthday Award, for outstanding achievement in extending the appreciation and enjoyment of Shakespeare's works will be presented to (name embargoed until mid-February). The toast to The Immortal Memory of Shakespeare will be proposed by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, journalist & writer, and the toast to The Theatre by to be announced.

1.30-4.30pm - Strolling players, circus performers and musicians in costume entertain: in the streets including Sheep Street, Henley Street, the Great Garden of New Place, the Theatre Gardens and near Holy Trinity Church. The Shakespeare Morris Men and many other troupes perform around the town. It is hoped to stage all the Shakespeare Live scenes from Shakespeare's
plays near the Theatre and in Henley Street.

2.00pm - Stratford Town Walk: Duration 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Meet by Swan Fountain, Waterside. Adults £5, over 65's and students £4, children £2. Also every Monday and Tuesday at 11.00am

2.00-3.00pm - In Henley Street and various venues in the town: the Stratford-upon-Avon Wind Band, Shakespeare Live and continuing and street entertainment

Activities and Events during the Birthday Evening (Saturday 26th of April 2008 contd.)

7.00pm - Stratford Ghost Cruise: board at 7.00pm, sail at 7.30pm. Duration 1 1/2 hours. Must book in advance on 01789 292478 or 07955 76377

7.15pm - Birthday Performance: of 'The Taming of the Shrew' at the Courtyard Theatre

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