Muchadoand somuchtosee
ON APRIL 23 William Shakespeare will be 450 years old. Surely that’s something to write home about. Sites and attractions across the country that have links to the bard will be hosting special events and exhibitions. Here are some of the best. V&A: SHAKESPEARE — OUR GREATEST LIVING PLAYWRIGHT September 28 This immersive installation examines the influence and popularity of the world’s most famous poet. Drawing together objects from the V&A collection and interviews with key contemporary practitioners, it examines how Shakespeare’s plays have travelled across centuries and continents. ‘SHAKESPEARE IN PRINT’ EXHIBITION AT THE GUILDHALL LIBRARY, LONDON Now to April 30 The library houses a precious First Folio, deemed one of the best in the world. This will be on display, together with numerous other printed treasures, including the first collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays, as part of a free ‘Shakespeare in Print’ exhibition.
CYCLE SHAKESPEARE’S WAY
Spring 2014 Celebrate by cycling Shakespeare’s Way from his hometown in Stratfordupon-Avon to the Capital where his name became immortalised. The route is through beautiful and quintessentially English towns of The Cotswolds and The Chilterns, towards Shakespeare’s Globe and the newly opened Sam Wanamaker Theatre on London’s Southbank.
Prices start from £1,210 (Classic, intense cycling) to £2,390 (luxury, gentle cycling) for four nights including accommodation and breakfast each day, luggage transfers, bike hire, helmets, panniers, tour brochure and insider tips, OS maps, route directions, a tour of the Globe Theatre in London and entry to the five Shakespeare houses in Stratford. www.the-carter-company.com