If you’re a regular reader of Kirkville, you know I’m a bit of a Shakespeare buff. I live a few miles from Stratford-Upon-Avon, his birthplace, and I regularly go to the theater there to see the wonderful productions of his plays by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Today is the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, and there are big celebrations in Stratford. I’m avoiding the town – parking is problematic at the best of times, and with many streets and roads closed, traffic will be deadly – but there’s plenty on the web that you can follow if you want to join in.
To start with, check out the BBC’s Shakespeare Lives 2016 page, where you’ll be able to stream the RSC’s production of Richard II, starring David Tennant, from 10:30 pm UK time. Next, follow @TheRST and @ShakespeareBT (the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust) on Twitter. Both of those accounts will be tweeting all day, with photos, videos, and links to other celebrations. And check out BBC Radio 3, which is broadcasting from Stratford-Upon-Avon today and tomorrow, with music and discussions about Shakespeare.
And, if you’re in the UK, you won’t want to miss Shakespeare Live! From the RSC, the two-hour broadcast live from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre on BBC 2 at 8:30 pm. As the BBC program page says:
From the stage of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, hosts David Tennant and Catherine Tate are joined by Benedict Cumberbatch, Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Dame Helen Mirren, Meera Syal, David Suchet, Rufus Wainwright, Tim Minchin, Gregory Porter, Joseph Fiennes, English National Opera, The Royal Ballet and Akala for a very special evening.