Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was born and died, kicked off
the day's merriment with a parade of performers wearing pantaloons,
ruffs and codpieces through its historic streets, ending at his grave.
In London, 37 short films featuring stars like Dominic West and Gemma Arterton - one for each of Shakespeare's plays - were shown on giant screens snaking along the River Thames.
Dominic Dromgoole, outgoing artistic director of the Globe, put Shakespeare's timeless appeal down to "fantastic stories that sit at the heart of human experience in all forms". "He's a great wit, a great entertainer and his plays are generous - they make you feel more and understand more," he told AFP.
Although celebrations are held every year at this time to commemorate Shakespeare's life, organisers this year promised something extra-special.
Focal points for the celebrations included Shakespeare's family home in Stratford, where it is assumed he was born in 1564, and the Holy Trinity Church, where he was buried.
The schoolroom where Shakespeare is believed to have learned his craft, owned by King Edward VI School, will be permanently opened to visitors on Saturday following a £1.8 million (US$2.6 million, €2.3 million) renovation.
Children currently studying at the school are carrying a quill to the Globe in London by cycling, rowing, and running the 100-mile (165-kilometre) journey.
From Warsaw, to Dubai and Las Vegas, Shakespeare's plays will also be playing to packed houses to mark the occasion, highlighting the international appeal of the English language's leading playwright.
"Everyone knows about 'Romeo and Juliet', about 'Hamlet' and 'King Lear'. Those iconic shapes speak to everyone because they are embedded in human culture," Dromgoole said, just before welcoming the "Hamlet" cast back on Friday from a tour which included a stop in Sudan.
Wearing masks of the "Bard of Avon", members of the public prepare for
the parade marking the 400 years since the death of William Shakespeare,
in Stratford-upon-Avon in England. Shakespeare's hometown of
Stratford-upon-Avon leads global celebrations to mark the playwright's
death. (AFP/Leon Neal)
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON: William Shakespeare's birthplace
Stratford-upon-Avon led global celebrations on Saturday (Apr 23) to mark
400 years since the Bard's death, as US President Barack Obama
delighted in a performance of scenes from "Hamlet" at the Globe Theatre
in London.
President Obama, on the last day of a visit to Britain, was
treated to scenes including the famous "To be or not to be?" soliloquy
on an early morning visit to the Globe, a reconstruction of a 16th
century theatre on the banks of the River Thames.
Actors Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Benedict Cumberbatch and
Ian McKellen, meanwhile, were among the star names due to celebrate the
anniversary with more performances from Shakespeare's best known works
at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford.
At the Globe, the US president watched intently before
clapping loudly and joining the cast on stage at the part open-air
theatre, the brainchild of American actor and director Sam Wanamaker
"Let me shake hands with everyone. That was wonderful. I don't want it to stop," Obama told them.
President Barack Obama watches a performance of Shakespeare's Hamlet, at the Globe Theatre in London. (Photo: AP/Carolyn Kaster)
DAY OF MERRIRMENT
Stratford, where Shakespeare was born and died, kicked off
the day's merriment with a parade of performers wearing pantaloons,
ruffs and codpieces through its historic streets, ending at his grave.
Visitors, performers and literature buffs from around the
world descended on the sleepy central English market town for a day of
theatre, dancing, fireworks and music.
Prince Charles, heir to the throne, was due to attend the
"Shakespeare Live!" show later Saturday, which will also be broadcast on
television in Britain and worldwide by the BBC, and beamed to cinemas
around Europe.In London, 37 short films featuring stars like Dominic West and Gemma Arterton - one for each of Shakespeare's plays - were shown on giant screens snaking along the River Thames.
Dominic Dromgoole, outgoing artistic director of the Globe, put Shakespeare's timeless appeal down to "fantastic stories that sit at the heart of human experience in all forms". "He's a great wit, a great entertainer and his plays are generous - they make you feel more and understand more," he told AFP.
Although celebrations are held every year at this time to commemorate Shakespeare's life, organisers this year promised something extra-special.
Focal points for the celebrations included Shakespeare's family home in Stratford, where it is assumed he was born in 1564, and the Holy Trinity Church, where he was buried.
The schoolroom where Shakespeare is believed to have learned his craft, owned by King Edward VI School, will be permanently opened to visitors on Saturday following a £1.8 million (US$2.6 million, €2.3 million) renovation.
People watch a performance in the grounds
of the birthplace of William Shakespeare during events marking 400 years
since the bard's death in Stratford-upon-Avon in central England.
(AFP/Leon Neal)
PACKED HOUSESChildren currently studying at the school are carrying a quill to the Globe in London by cycling, rowing, and running the 100-mile (165-kilometre) journey.
From Warsaw, to Dubai and Las Vegas, Shakespeare's plays will also be playing to packed houses to mark the occasion, highlighting the international appeal of the English language's leading playwright.
"Everyone knows about 'Romeo and Juliet', about 'Hamlet' and 'King Lear'. Those iconic shapes speak to everyone because they are embedded in human culture," Dromgoole said, just before welcoming the "Hamlet" cast back on Friday from a tour which included a stop in Sudan.
"I don't think we've scratched the surface of how much Shakespeare can do in the world," he added.
- AFP/ec
Post a Comment