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Shakespeare
Day 23rd April
‘As
a huge fan of Burns Night celebrations myself, I think this
is a really interesting idea and certainly well
worth exploring. Shakespeare
is one of England's towering literary figures and anything that celebrates
his life and work, and anything which helps stimulate wider interests
in his writings, should be encouraged’
Tessa Jowell, Culture Secretary
National
Shakespeare Day is the brainchild of Robert J Williamson, artistic
director of the British Shakespeare Company.
William
Shakespeare was
born on 23 April 1564 and died on 23 April
1616. He’s recognised
across the world as the greatest literary mind in the history of the
planet, and his magnificent work unites the whole world in appreciation
of his genius. Globe theatre replicas can now be found in Japan, Germany,
Italy and the USA. Robert J Williamson says: ‘Shakespeare's magnificent
work unite the whole world in appreciation of his genius. What greater
role model for the people of Great Britain? Should we not have a day
to recognise this home grown genius? This campaign has one purpose
only, that is to have the 23 April officially recognized as National
Shakespeare
Day’.
Senior
Cabinet ministers are backing the campaign to celebrate the life and
work of the playwright. John Reid, the Home Secretary, and
Tessa
Jowell, the Culture Secretary, have both lent strong support to the
idea and hope the celebrations would develop into an English version
of Burns
Night, when Scottish revellers mark the anniversary of their national
poet.
The
British Shakespeare Company is the UK’s leading exponent of
magical open-air theatre. For over a thousand years companies have
created theatres in the centre of towns, erecting a pageant wagon or
scaffolding
stage, and performing great historical and classical drama for a
mass audience. Shakespeare himself, whilst growing up in Stratford-upon-Avon,
would have witnessed such companies performing in the heart of his
home
town. Wishing to continue this exciting and accessible tradition,
actor-manager, Robert J Williamson founded the British Shakespeare
Company 11 years
ago, and has achieved consistent critical acclaim for its productions
ever since.
The
British Shakespeare Company hopes to create fun educational packs for
schools, and Williamson proposes special performances of
Shakespeare's plays as well as public readings of excerpts from his
drama and poems
on national Shakespeare Day.
A
few of his words about our nation...
This
royal throne of Kings, this scepter’d isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall,
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.
Should
we not have a day to recognise this home grown genius? This campaign
has one purpose only,
that is to have the 23rd April officially recognized
as SHAKESPEARE DAY. www.shakespeareday.com Please
sign our petition below and it will be forwarded
to Tony Blair as part of our campaign for an officially
recognised national Shakespeare Day to celebrate the genius of William
Shakespeare. |
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