OK, so we might have sneaked that last bit in ourselves. But it’s the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death this year, and we can all be forgiven a little writerly indulgence. The locals certainly aren’t holding back in his hometown. If you’re planning on visiting YHA Stratford-upon-Avon yourself, here are the year’s highlights.
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre:
Stratford’s showpiece playhouse has 2016 performances of Hamlet (until 13 Aug), Cymbeline (29 Apr – 15 Oct), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (15 Jun – 16 Jul), King Lear (20 Aug – 15 Oct) and The Tempest (from 8 Nov).
The Other Place:
Reopened in March, this 200-seat theatre has now been fully redeveloped.
Events:
The town always stages celebrations around the Bard’s birthday in April, but the remainder of the year holds plenty too. Key dates include the family-friendly Stratford River Festival on 2-3 July, a mass picnic at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage on 23 July and a poetry festival between 22-25 September.
Swan Theatre:
This autumn sees the opening of a major new exhibition in the Swan Reading Room. ‘The Play’s The Thing’ focuses on props, costumes and set designs over the years – pre-booking tickets is highly advised.
Heritage Buildings:
Shakespeare’s Birthplace is an obligatory visit, but you can also now see the playwright’s last home at the recently renovated New Place, as well as his former schoolroom – open to the public for the first time.
