Plays You Must See on Shakespeare Day

Today is National Shakespeare Day, a day that celebrates Shakespeare’s life and greatest accomplishments, such as Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. National Shakespeare Day is also shared with St George’s Day and The United Nations’ World Book and Copyright Day.

William Shakespeare. You might have heard of this guy; he’s kind of a big deal! Shakespeare is a named author on the curriculum in 65% of countries and is studied each year by around half of the world’s schoolchildren.

Did you know that National Shakespeare is celebrated on the day he died, and perhaps the day he was born? Although the exact date of William Shakespeare’s birth is unknown, people believe it could have been on the 23^rd April 1564, as he was baptised on the 26^th April 1564. The fantastic playwright died on 23^rd April 1616.

About Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was a successful actor, writer and co-owner of the play company The Lord Chamberlain’s Men (which was later renamed to The King’s Men). He is believed to be one of the greatest writers of the English language and has produced 39 plays, 154 sonnets and 2 long narrative poems.

His plays include comedies such as The Taming of the Shrew and, perhaps what Shakespeare is best known for, his tragedies such as Hamlet and King Lear. His plays have been translated into every major language and are thought to be performed more often than those of any other playwright.

Are you looking for an exciting way to celebrate National Shakespeare Day?

Why not visit Shakespeare’s Globe and take an exciting tour around the theatre to find out about the unique building and Shakespeare? Tickets are from £15.00 for adult and £8.00 for children, ask our Student Services team about discounted prices and keep an eye on our social programme because we sometimes go to the theatre to watch plays.

To celebrate the day, you could book tickets for a famous Shakespeare play at Shakespeare’s Globe:

• Hamlet: http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on-2018/hamlet
• Twelfth Night: http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on-2018/twelfth-night
• The Taming of the Shrew: http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on-2018/the-taming-of-the-shrew

Or catch a talk ran by the globe theatre:

• Sonnet Walks: http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on-2018/sonnet-walks
• Hamlet Introductory Talk: http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on-2018/Hamlet#IntroHamlet

Alternatively, you could visit William Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon and explore the 5 Tudor homes and gardens that were owned by Shakespeare and his family. For more information: https://shakespeares-england.co.uk/our-regions/stratford-upon-avon/