The home of Shakespeare is set to welcome a new exhibition on Saturday 24 May that will take visitors on a journey through the creative and cultural environments that helped shape William Shakespeare.
In the week of the Shakespeare Birthday celebrations, work has started on installing a new exhibition at Shakespeare’s Birthplace that promises a thought-provoking and illuminating exploration of the influences that helped shape a young William Shakespeare and the creative spark that inspired his work and continued legacy.
“Our new exhibition, Becoming Shakespeare, reflects the Trust’s commitment to preserving, celebrating and sharing the Shakespeare story with audiences. With this new, engaging experience we are focusing on William’s formative years and creative influences helping our visitor feel a personal connection to the beginnings of his extraordinary journey and the profound insights he continues to share on the human condition.”
Said Rachael North, CEO of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
When the exhibition opens on Saturday 24 May visitors will explore a series of carefully curated spaces, blending historical narratives with immersive storytelling. Two new audio-visual experiences will use Shakespeare’s evocative words to place his creative practice in his home. Exhibition galleries will display carefully selected items from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s world-class collection, highlighting the influence of place on William and his work.
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust have worked in partnership with award-winning experiential design and production practice Sarner International to reimagine and enhance the visitor experience.
Commenting on the new exhibition Bradley Wynne, Creative Director, Sarner International said:
“Shakespeare’s Birthplace is one of the most important literary heritage sites in the world, and we are honoured to bring a fresh and immersive perspective to this extraordinary place. Our goal is to engage audiences in a way that sparks curiosity and conversation, making Shakespeare’s life and works resonate in new and meaningful ways.”
During the installation visitors will be able to access Shakespeare’s Birthplace via a temporary entrance on Henley Street and enjoy a series of activities to help them explore the Shakespeare story in the Birthplace Garden. From performances focused on Shakespeare’s fascinating female characters, to hands on crafting and object handling and a new family trail, all included in admission.
Becoming Shakespeare opens on Saturday 24 May 2025 and is included in both the Shakespeare Story and Shakespeare’s Birthplace ticket. Pre-booking is recommended to secure a timeslot and avoid queuing.
For more information on the new exhibition as well as access to Shakespeare’s Birthplace during the installation period, please visit www.shakespeare.org.uk.