Shakespeare's Birthday Event at The Globe 23 April 2004

Shakespeare's Birthday Event at The Globe 23 April 2004

On Friday 23rd April 2004 Shakespeare’s Globe , in partnership with Innovision Media, will be throwing open its doors to the public in a unique celebration of Shakespeare’s birthday –for the very first time members of the public will be able to perform their favourite bits of Shakespeare on the very stage graced by some of the greatest Shakespearean actors of our day such as Vanessa Redgrave, Paul Schofield and Mark Rylance.

Starting with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11.00 at the Groundling Gate, attended by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, these celebrations will honour William Shakespeare. A day of events, tours and performance will bring alive the spirit of this universally acclaimed genius.

The Mayor said: "Shakespeare is a world renowned talent whose historic work has shaped arts and culture internationally. Londoners will now have the opportunity to celebrate his birthday in fitting style. This exciting day of events at the Globe reflect the democratic energy and spirit of this great British figure. I look forward to this day becoming a regular fixture in our calendar.”

Every hour anyone with an interest in Shakespeare, and the theatre most closely associated with his plays, will not only be able to get some professional advice on performing Shakespeare from Globe actors they will also be able to find out what it’s really like to perform on this extraordinary stage – normally only ever accessible to members of the Globe company.

And to give participants a true flavour of what Elizabethan theatre was like Creative Producer Simon Elliott of Innovision Media and Mark Rylance, Artistic Director of the Globe, are bringing contemporary street performers with the same skills as would have been seen at the original Globe Theatre, and on the surrounding streets, back into the Globe to celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday.

This celebration has been made possible by the Mayor’s Office at the Greater London Authority. It is intended that Shakespeare’s Birthday at the Globe becomes an annual event.