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How to celebrate Shakespeare Week in London
Here’s your round-up of Shakespeare-themed activities in the capital
It’s Shakespeare Week and we’re rounding up all things the Bard. From performances of his plays to free sightseeing around the city, here are some ways that you can immerse yourself in the life and works of William Shakespeare this March.
Romeo & Juliet
There’s no better way to celebrate Britain’s greatest playwright than to see his work onstage, and luckily enough, you can currently catch an audience favourite. Shakespeare’s enduring tragedy Romeo & Juliet is currently playing in London starring a couple of famous faces. You can see Noah Jupe and Sadie Sink starring as the star-crossed couple at the Harold Pinter Theatre.
The Globe Theatre
The Globe Theatre is one of the most interesting sightseeing spots in the city. A reconstruction of the theatre in which Shakespeare’s company, The Lord Chamberlain’s men, once performed, it stands only a few hundred metres from the original site. A beautiful, wholly unique amphitheatre, its three story structure and open-air standing room lets audiences experience what it might have been like to watch a play back in Shakespeare’s time, and you can frequently find excellent productions of the Bard’s work running here.
The Lion King
Believe it or not, The Lion King was actually inspired by what many believe to be Shakespeare’s greatest work. A retelling of Hamlet, it follows a very similar structure, featuring the tragic death of a beloved king, a usurper to the throne, and a prince struggling to grow into his role. Whether you’re familiar with Hamlet or not, a trip to the Lyceum Theatre is a great family-friendly way to celebrate Shakespeare.
Leicester Square statue
At the heart of Leicester Square gardens you’ll find a marble statue of the Bard, copied from Peter Scheemakers’ 18th-century monument by sculptor Giovanni Fontana. On the scroll in Shakespeare’s hand, you’ll find an extract from one of his plays – see if you can identify which one.
New Inn Broadway
Shoreditch is famous for its street art, and one stunning work in particular is worth a visit this week. The mural on the side of New Inn Broadway honours Romeo & Juliet, marking the site of the theatre where the tragedy was first performed.
Stratford-upon-Avon
If you’re up for a day trip out of London, Stratford-upon-Avon is the perfect place to go. It takes about two hours to get to the historic town from London, but it’s more than worth the visit. Here you can tour Shakespeare’s birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s cottage, and Hall’s Croft, the home of Shakespeare’s daughter Susannah. The RSC Theatre and the Swan Theatre often stage productions of the Bard’s plays, and in the summer you can catch free open-air performances at the Dell.
