From storytelling and sword fighting, archery and animal feeding to live performances in Shakespeare’s home, the curtain is about to go up on a summer of family fun with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
A special programme of events and activities will be taking place across Shakespeare’s family homes in Stratford-upon-Avon throughout July, August and into September as families are welcomed back to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the publication “Mr. William Shakespeare’s comedies, histories, & tragedies.” also known as the First Folio.
Highlights include daily performances in the Shakespeare’s Birthplace gardens of famous scenes from 18 of Shakespeare’s plays. Plays, that without the First Folio would have been lost to history.
Staying with the ‘Lost Plays’ theme, families will be able to explore all three of Shakespeare’s family homes in a new way with the ‘Lost Plays Family Trail’ with clues and activities hidden in plain sight across all the properties.
Meanwhile, Mary Arden’s Farm in Wilmcote will be throwing open its gates to welcome visitors more than it has been able to since 2019 with a series of family-fun events, including the all-day ‘Weekends at Mary Arden’s’ and the hands-on ‘Summer Fun at the Farm’ which this year will focus on the Tempest, another of the ‘lost plays.’
Alongside the special events visitors can also explore the enduring legacy of Shakespeare and the First Folio at the ‘Great Variety of Readers’ exhibition at Shakespeare’s New Place.
Rachael North, director of visitor experience at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, said:
“With the summer holidays fast approaching, we’re excited to be announcing a fun-packed programme of family-friendly events across our properties. This is such an important anniversary year, celebrating 400 years of the publication of the First Folio, and we look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far to reconnect and enjoy Shakespeare’s work, life and times and discover more about these potentially ‘lost plays’ with the folio’s publication.
‘’It is especially exciting to be able to open Mary Arden’s Farm for over 20 dates this summer. This is the first time since 2019 we’ve been able to welcome so many families back onto the farm and we know there are in for a real treat!”
Visitors are encouraged to get the most out of their visit by pre-booking their visit using the new ‘Shakespeare’s Story’ ticket, which grants 12 months access to all three of Shakespeare’s family homes for one price. Tickets start from £12.50 for children and £25 for adults.
Please see www.shakespeare.org.uk for more information on the full summer programme and to book.
Ticketed events at Mary Arden’s Farm – advance booking required
- Weekends at Mary Arden’s Farm
Every weekend from 1 July to 3 September, 10am-4pm (last admission 2:30pm)
Pick up a bag of animal snacks and meet some of our rare breed animals; from our greedy goats to our noisy pigs. Enjoy our adventure playground, have a go at willow weaving and if you are feeling adventurous get ready to have a go at archery. You can also sit in the summer sun with your picnic and just enjoy being back on the farm with your family.
Activities suitable for children aged 4+
Tickets: Adult £13.00, Child £6.50 (4-15 years old), Child 3 years and under FREE, Concession £10.50, Essential Companion FREE
Booking online is essential: https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit/whats-on/weekends-at-mary-ardens-farm/
- Summer Fun at the Farm Presents: The Tempest
Wednesday 9, 16 and 23 August, 9:30am-12:30pm and 1:15pm-4:15pm
Get hands-on making an enchanted staff for Prospero, explore Palmer's Cottage, our Tudor Farmhouse and grab a map and explore Mary Arden’s Farm with a magical treasure hunt! Finally take part in our interactive retelling of The Tempest. Who will you be? Miranda or Prospero, Caliban or Ariel?
Activities suitable for children aged 4+
Tickets: Adult £7.50 (with a valid child ticket), Child £15.00, Children 3 and under FREE
- Much Ado About Nothing by Oddsocks Productions
Friday 22 & Saturday 23 July, 7.30pm – 9.45pm
Oddsocks return for two outdoor theatre performances of a brand-new adaptation of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ bringing Shakespeare’s romantic romp to life in their own, inimitable, hilarious and irreverent style. Drama and deception mix with sun, songs and silliness to create a theatre event you won’t forget as this “Hugely funny” (The Stage) company hit the road with their “energetic, downright silly, utterly professional and totally inventive theatre” (East Midlands Theatre Review).
Suitable for all ages.
Tickets: £10-£19. Book online https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/Oddsocks-Communications-Ltd/much-ado-about-nothing/e-xrylgm
Summer holiday activities at the Shakespeare family homes, all included in admission - Wednesday 26 July – Sunday 3 September
- All the World’s a Stage – Live Performances at Shakespeare’s Birthplace
Visitors to Shakespeare’s Birthplace this summer are in for a treat as they have the chance to experience live performances of excerpts from 18 of the plays that may have been lost without the publication of the First Folio in 1623. Expect to witness performances of some of your favourite Shakespeare scenes, from The Tempest to Macbeth, As You Like It to The Taming of the Shrew as well as some of the lesser-known plays, including King John, Timon of Athens and many more. All performed by the talented team from Events in History. Performances will take place every 20 minutes.
- The Great Variety of Readers: Celebrating 400 Years of Shakespeare’s First Folio, Shakespeare’s New Place
Enjoy a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the creation and enduring legacy of one of the most important books in western literature: Master William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies, also known as the First Folio, at our new exhibition for 2023 that celebrates its 400th anniversary.
- Family trails – at Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Shakespeare’s New Place. Children can explore Shakespeare’s work in a fun, accessible and hands-on way across all of Shakespeare’s family homes. Discover the 18 ‘lost plays’ that can only be found in the First Folio. Suitable for all ages.