The 23rd April 2016 marked 400 years since the death of what has to be the world’s most prolific playwright in the English language – William Shakespeare – the eldest surviving son of a glover and a farmer’s daughter from Stratford-upon-Avon.
Although, a theatre treat at any time of the year, during this very special anniversary year of The Bard, a Shakespeare play will be particularly poignant to watch.
Here’s Our Top Tips of where to see Shakespeare in 2016:
Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon – until 13th Aug 2016
A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon – until 16 July 2016
and also the Barbican theatre, London from 17 – 21 May with tickets from £10.00 on 19th May Matinee performance
Cymbeline at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon – 11th May 2016 to 12th Aug 2016
and also at the Barbican theatre, London in rep from 1st to 30th November 2016
Romeo and Juliet at the Garrick Theatre, London – 12th May 2016 to 13th Aug 2016
Henry V at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London – 17th June to 9yh July 2016
Run away with the circus this summer and weave your way through an array of hidden gardens and spectacular lawns at The Savill Garden in this immersive production of Shakespeare’s much loved As You Like it from 22 June to 24 July 2016.
The Taming of the Shrew at the Royal Opera House, London – 3rd August to 4th August 2016
King Lear at the Barbican theatre, London – in rep from 10th November to 23rd December 2016
Of course there are many more. Just today the RSC have announced two plays on at the Theatre Royal Haymarket at the end of this year – Much Ado About Nothing and Love’s Labour’s Lost which are running in rep from 9th December 2016 to 18th March 2017.
Plus, British acting icon Glenda Jackson has just been announced to play the titular role in the Matthew Warchus directed King Lear at the Old Vic from 25th October to 3rd December 2016. The cast also includes Jane Horrocks, Rhys Ifans and Harry Melling (last seen in Hand to God at the Vaudeville Theatre).
But, to be honest our top tips to see Shakespeare in 2016 could go on until the next anniversary!