BARD'S BIRTHDAY: Sell-out Birthday Luncheon

THIS year’s much-anticipated Shakespeare Birthday Lunch takes place as part of Stratford’s annual celebrations today, Saturday.

Among the highlights this year, guests will hear from distinguished actress, Jane Lapotaire who will receive the prestigious Pragnell Award. The 73-year-old is best known for her Tony and Olivier Award-winning portrayal of Edith Piaf at the RSC in Stratford in 1978.

The award will be made, as usual, as the centrepiece of the Shakespeare Birthday Lunch on Saturday, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Stratford and will be presented by Professor Michael Dobson, the director of the Shakespeare Institute at the University of Birmingham.

The event will be introduced again by Quentin Willson. Quentin, well known locally, writes widely for national newspapers and magazines about cars — but admits his secret passion is Shakespeare. Recently Quentin has also helped the Town Trust promote the preservation of the Guild Chapel.

Respected journalist Michael Billington will be giving the speech and toast to Shakespeare’s immortal memory at the lunch. Himself a previous recipient of the Pragnell Award in 2009, Michael has been drama critic of The Guardian since 1971 and of Country Life since 1986. He has been a lover of Shakespeare ever since he first saw Troilus and Cressida, with Paul Scofield, at the old Memorial Theatre at the age of eight.

Aside from journalism, Michael has written a number of books, including biographies of Harold Pinter and Peggy Ashcroft, a study of post-war British theatre, State of the Nation, and most recently, a book about world drama, The 101 Greatest Plays. He also broadcasts regularly for the BBC.

The speech and toast to the visitors will be given by Penelope, Lady Cobham. Lady Cobham is a board member of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and chairs its Development Board. In addition to having been a board member of Historic England, Historic Royal Palaces, the V&A and British Waterways, until last year she chaired the national tourist board, VisitEngland.

The speaker who will respond and give a toast on behalf of the guests at the lunch is Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, Mr Alistair Harrison.

The luncheon, which sold out within four days, has been organised for the second year by Alan and Ros Haigh.

Jane Lapotaire was this year's speaker at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s annual Shakespeare Birthday Lecture yesterday, Friday. She was in conversation with Dr Paul Edmondson about her career and what Shakespeare means to her.

The event was co-hosted with the University of Birmingham.

For other coverage of the Shakespeare Celebrations see here

Full coverage of the lunch including photos and speeches in Thursday's Herald.