Tag Archives: Stratford-upon-Avon

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

Celebrating 450: the Shakespeare legacy

As I write, we’re reaching the end of the celebrations for Shakespeare’s 450th anniversary. It’s an extraordinary record, and academic Jonathan Bate has recently written about Shakespeare’s status as universal cultural icon. Bate suggests that although the 1964 celebrations were large, they … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Celebrating 450: the Shakespeare legacy

Celebrating Shakespeare’s 450th in Stratford

So how do you celebrate Shakespeare’s 450th birthday? The RSC are holding a fireworks display and on Saturday a day of events. The town is expecting bumper crowds on Saturday for its special parade, and for the first time in … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Celebrating Shakespeare’s 450th in Stratford

If music and sweet poetry agree: Stratford-upon-Avon’s Festival

On Saturday morning Stratford-upon-Avon’s Music Festival began with a Festival Fanfare entitled Lend Me Your Ears, played by the brass ensemble from King Edward VI School. Performed on the steps of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre it was a reminder of … Continue reading

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

Planning for the future of Shakespeare’s town

The future of Stratford-upon-Avon is under discussion as never before, with two separate schemes currently under consideration. Anyone who cares about the history of the town and its Shakespearian heritage now has an opportunity to make their feelings known. Firstly, everyone is being encouraged to … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Planning for the future of Shakespeare’s town

Celebrating Shakespeare’s birthday in his own town

This weekend is the most important of the year for Stratford-upon-Avon. Shakespeare’s life and works are celebrated with a whole range of events, but the most important is the parade which this year takes place on Saturday morning, 20 April, … Continue reading

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

Stratford’s Guild: the background to Shakespeare’s town

Any guide to the town of Stratford-upon-Avon will mention the buildings of the Guild of the Holy Cross and their association with William Shakespeare and his family. For it was here Shakespeare almost certainly received his education and here he probably … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Shakespeare's World, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Heritage Open Days: history for free

Heritage Open Days have become a regular part of the UK’s cultural calendar. For one weekend doors normally closed are thrown open in some of the most historic buildings in the country. This year, between Thursday 6 and Sunday 9 … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legacy, Stratford-upon-Avon | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Heritage Open Days: history for free

Stratford’s American Fountain: a monument to temperance?

  The American fountain In recent weeks I’ve written several times of Stratford-upon-Avon’s links with America, and how Shakespeare supplies shared cultural values in spite of political differences. The American Fountain is a favourite focal point in the town’s marketplace, … Continue reading

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