Historical documents go on show during fifth Shakespeare Week
A WEEK-LONG celebration of William Shakespeare began today, Monday.
More than two million primary school children across the UK have signed up to be part of the fifth annual Shakespeare Week, organised by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
Activities takes place across the country, with events this coming weekend at the Shakespeare properties.
Later this week people will get the opportunity in Stratford to view the original parish register that records Shakespeare’s baptism and burial at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon
The register dates back to 1776 and is one of the 90 'Shakespeare Documents' that were recently recognised by UNESCO Memory of the World for their historical value.
And on Friday, 16th March, over 700 children from 13 primary schools across Warwickshire will be in town for a day of Shakespearian learning as part of Warwickshire Schools Open Day.
They will take part in Shakespeare-inspired activities, such as an RSC Twelfth Night workshop, looking at the plot, characters and language of the play, as well as a trip up the theatre tower, a Tudor lesson in Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall to discover where Shakespeare was educated, a mock Town Council meeting, where children can take on roles of the Mayor, Town Clerk, Beadle and Macebearers, a musical composition and performance workshop with the Orchestra of the Swan’s soprano, April Frederick, and cellist/composer, Matthew Forbes.
Nicola Hawley, education officer at the Birthplace Trust, said: "It has been fabulous to see how schools and children have embraced Shakespeare Week.
"We’re delighted to work with our partners to bring Shakespeare’s timeless stories, his wonderful poetry and his fascinating life here in Stratford to life for the children in what promises to be a fun, educational day out.”
Shakespeare Week was launched by the trust in 2014.
All events are listed at www.shakespeareweek.org.uk