A packed weekend of events begins in Stratford

The eyes of the world will fall on Stratford this weekend and a large number of shows and events are set to mark the 400th anniversary of the Bard's death.

Here is a list of what's going over this special weekend:

FRIDAY,

22nd April

• BBC Radio 3 Sounds Of Shakespeare broadcasting live (4.15-11pm) from The Other Place, Waterside. For full programme or to book ticketed events go to www.rsc.org.uk. Highlights include: 4.15-6.30pm In Tune Sean Rafferty launches Radio 3’s Shakespeare anniversary events; 8.15-10:30pm World on 3 live music; 9.45-11pm The Verb.
• Shakespeare Masque Concert at Holy Trinity Church, 7.30pm. Tickets sold out. Ex Cathedra present a world premiere commemorative concert directed by Jeffrey Skidmore. The performance will also feature a new ode, A Shakespeare Masque, written by the Poet Laureate, Dame Carol Ann Duffy, and composed by Sally Beamish, supplemented by a children’s choir and a ‘broken consort’ of instruments that Shakespeare himself would recognise.

SATURDAY,

23rd April

• Games and Thrones at Playbox at Dream Factory Theatre, Warwick, 7pm. Tickets from £8 from www.playboxtheatre.com Games and Thrones tells the story of 50 years of bloody English history, re-imagined by Playbox Theatre and Shakespeare Young Company in a thrilling and epic new drama. The three parts of Shakespeare’s Henry VI are presented in three, 40-minute episodes with intervals between each part. Performances also on 29th, 30th April and at St Mary’s Church, Warwick, in May.
• RSC Shakespeare on Screen film festival at the Picturehouse: 2.30pm. £10.50. Richard II, RSC Live, 2013, with David Tennant, Michael Pennington, Jane Lapotaire and Oliver Ford Davies.
• BBC Radio 3 Sounds Of Shakespeare broadcasting live (8am-10pm) from The Other Place, Waterside. For full programme or to book ticketed events go to www.rsc.org.uk. Highlights include: 9.45-11am Record Review on stage; 12.30-2pm Saturday Classics; 2 -3pm Early Music Show.
• Meet the artist: 12–1.30pm and 2.30–3.30pm, free. PACCAR Room, Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST). Meet some of the artists who have created new works of art for the Well Said exhibition, inspired by some of Shakespeare’s most famous words.
• Sonnets on the Ferry, 1.30-4.30pm. Tickets 50p each way. Take a short trip across the River Avon on the classic old chain ferry (by the Swan Gardens) while listening to Shakespeare’s wonderful words.
• Blood, Guts And Gore. 12–12.45pm, free, suitable for ages 6+. Entry is by ticket only, available from the Upper Circle Bar 15 minutes before the start time on a first come, first served basis. Learn the tricks of creating bruises, cuts and scars in this demonstration which will require willing participants.
• Singing. 2–2.45pm, Upper Circle Bar, RST. Tickets as above, suitable for ages 7+. Come and sing your heart out in a fun and lively session and learn some simple songs.
• Active Storytelling: Hamlet. 1-1.45pm, free, suitable for ages 4+. Entry is by ticket only, available from the Upper Circle Bar 15 minutes before the start time on a first come, first served basis. Become an actor and tell the story of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Everyone gets involved, so be prepared to make music, dress up and join in with the fun.
• Active Storytelling. 3–3:45pm, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. See above.
• Wondrous Strange by Mimbre. Performances takes place in the Bancroft Gardens in front of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, at 2pm and 4pm and will last approximately 40 minutes, free. Acrobatic theatre company Mimbre present a specially-commissioned performance. Watch Shakespeare’s most iconic characters in unexpected encounters, celebrating the physical and visual imagery of some of the best known moments in his plays.
• Theatre Skills Workshops. One-hour session suitable for children 10+ take place at Swan Gardens Marquee, free, entry on a first come first served basis: 2–2:30pm Dance workshop; 11.45am–12.45pm Stage fighting; 1–1.45pm Voice workshop.
• Shakespeare Live! From The RSC. 8.30pm. Tickets not on sale. Celebrating Shakespeare’s plays and their influence on music, dance, opera, musical theatre and comedy. Hosted by David Tennant and broadcast on BBC2 and to cinemas worldwide.
• Firework display. Outside RSC. 10.30pm, free. Firework display from Emergency Exit Arts, one of the country’s leading creative pyrotechnic companies, a stunning display will conclude an astonishing depiction of Shakespeare’s face, lit up in flames.
• Knights and Nymphs Toddlers Party at Hall’s Croft. 12-4pm, free to CV37 residents. Families with children under 5 are invited to celebrate Shakespeare's birthday. BBQ, music, dancing, storytelling, face painting and lots of fairy fun.

SUNDAY,

24th April

• RSC Shakespeare on Screen film festival at the Picturehouse: 2.30pm. £10.50. The Two Gentlemen of Verona (RSC Live, 2014), with Mark Arends, Michael Marcus, Pearl Chanda, Sarah MacRae.
• Sonnet Rap Marathon. Stratford Literary Festival event at Shakespeare Birthplace, Henley Street, 11am, free. New York-based rap artist, Devon Glover will attempt to perform all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets in his own contemporary style, as part of the 2016 Shakespeare celebrations.
• BBC Radio 3 Sounds Of Shakespeare broadcasting live (8am-10pm) from The Other Place, Waterside. For full programme or to book ticketed events go to www.rsc.org.uk. Highlights include: 10.45-12noon Inspired by Shakespeare: Ashley Wass; 5.15-6.45pm Words and Music.
• Incomplete Shakespeare. Stratford Literary Event at the ArtsHouse, 5.30-6.30pm. Tickets £8, from 01789 207100. With a new abbreviated text by Guardian parliamentary sketch-writer, John Crace, and footnotes from Professor John Sutherland, join the two Johnnies for a funny and clever knock-about. See full programme of events at www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk
• Shakespeare Concert at Compton Verney, 2-3pm. Tickets £25 (includes gallery and park entry). K’antu Ensemble’s award winning multi-instrumentalists and singers perform songs and dance music inspired by the current exhibition Shakespeare in Art exhibition at art gallery Compton Verney, near Wellesbourne. Their mix of music will appeal to folk, classical and world music fans alike.
• Not Just William at Stratford Birthplace Trust, Henley Street, Stratford. An autism-friendly play imaginging Shakespeare’s formative years, bringing to life the source for some of his most famous plays, performance at 3pm, tickets £10 from 0844 8442920.
• Shakespeare Marathon and Half Marathon, 9am. The Rotary Club fundraiser starts on Church Street and loops around town, via The Greenway.