Tag Archives: Jubilee

Remembering Garrick’s Jubilee in Stratford-upon-Avon

Imagine the scene in Stratford-upon-Avon on Saturday 9 September 1769, the morning after the night before, indeed after the three days of David Garrick’s Jubilee. There was an undignified rush to leave the town, but there weren’t enough carriages. A … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

David Garrick’s Jubilee Ode, 1769

Today, 7 September 2019, is the 250th anniversary of the highlight of David Garrick’s Shakespeare Jubilee. In the specially-built amphitheatre Garrick delivered his Ode, a long piece of verse consisting of spoken sections interspersed with airs delivered by some of … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on David Garrick’s Jubilee Ode, 1769

“This is the day!” Garrick’s Jubilee at 250

250 years ago today, on Weds 6 September 1769, David Garrick’s Shakespeare Jubilee began in Stratford-upon-Avon, the first Festival celebrating Shakespeare in the world. Even before it started there were many critics of the whole idea who were ready to … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on “This is the day!” Garrick’s Jubilee at 250

Commemorating Shakespeare in metal and print

Whenever we come to commemorating a Shakespeare anniversary, the question is always about how this should be done, that perhaps comes down to what exactly we are celebrating. This year we are marking 400 years since Shakespeare died, but should … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Commemorating Shakespeare in metal and print

The rain it raineth every day

Over the last few weeks the news has been dominated by the dreadful and repeated flooding in parts of northern England and Scotland as a series of storms have swept across the UK. Cities have been swamped and ancient bridges … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The rain it raineth every day

Stratford-upon-Avon’s historic Town Hall

Standing at the busy junction of Sheep Street, Chapel Street, Ely Street and High Street is Stratford’s Town Hall. From the outside it’s a dignified building built of Cotswold stone and facing towards the High Street, in a niche, is … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Stratford-upon-Avon’s historic Town Hall

David Garrick’s Jubilee

The story of Stratford’s rise from being a typical market town into an international tourist destination is often said to start in 1769 when the greatest actor of the day, David Garrick, put on a three-day celebration of Shakespeare. The fact … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on David Garrick’s Jubilee

Taking to the streets with Shakespeare’s characters

Shakespeare celebrations in Stratford have taken many forms over the past two and a half centuries. I’ve written before about the history of holding feasts, an essential component of any party. But what’s also notable is the tradition of characters … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Shakespeare on Stage, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Shakespeare’s Avon, Act 3: David Garrick’s Jubilee

The story of Stratford’s rise from being a typical market town into an international tourist destination is often said to start in 1769 when the greatest actor of the day, David Garrick, put on a three-day celebration of Shakespeare. The fact … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments