The lights will lead the thousands of gatherers to Holy Trinity Church (below) in the town where Shakespeare was buried, before a vigil in his honour is held by his graveside.
Advertisement
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 central England on April 23, 2016.
Crowds were asked to take part by tossing sprigs of rosemary “for remembrance” – as the Bard wrote in Hamlet – as a funeral bier of flowers was pulled through the streets.
A dazzling array of actors, musicians and artists including Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ian McKellen, Adrian Lester, Ralph Fiennes, Simon Russell Beale, BBC Scottish Symphony and BBC Concert Orchestras is featured on the live channel along with new work from young artists from across the United Kingdom and Europe.(ALSO READ:William Shakespeare more popular overseas than in Britain: Survey).
She said it would be a chance to remember the impact that the playwright, who was baptised in the town on April 26 1564, had on the English language.
Shakespeare, who penned nearly 40 plays, over 150 sonnets, and coined well-known phrases still widely used to this day, died on April 23 – in 1616.
Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616 in his home town of Stratford-upon-Avon.
The “Shakespeare Live!” show is being broadcast live in Britain and to cinemas around Europe.
US President Barack Obama marked the anniversary by attending a special performance at London’s Globe Theatre.
The president watched intently before clapping loudly and joining the cast onstage. This new exhibition is set to celebrate the magic of Shakespeare and will give an insight into the stories and secrets of theater-making in Stratford-Upon-Avon over a 100 year period. “I don’t want it to stop”, Obama said of the tale of the melancholy prince before shaking hands with the actors.
Along the Thames River in London, the plays of the writer have been shown on large screens all day.
On his visit to the Holy Trinity Church, The Rev. Patrick Taylor had this to say: “With so many wonderful places in Stratford that he could have seen, it’s a privilege for us to have been chosen as one of the hosts”. Not just a playwright, Shakespeare was a poet, dramatist and actor as well.”Everyone knows about “Romeo and Juliet”, about “Hamlet” and “King Lear”.”I don’t think we’ve scratched the surface of how much Shakespeare can do in the world”.
Over the course of his 52-years, Shakespeare produced 38 plays, 154 sonnets and a number of other works.
Advertisement
With the sun illuminating the theatre’s wooden stage through the open roof, Obama was treated to a short private performance and entertained by a troupe of actors playing violins, mandolins, an accordion and penny whistles.
