Trafalgar Square turns Tudor to celebrate St George’s Day and 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare
The floating Yodas and street artists of Trafalgar Square will have to compete not only with Nelson, the National Gallery and a few thousand pigeons for the attention of tourists tomorrow, but also a sea of red, white and all-things Shakespeare as the centre of London is taken over by the annual St. George’s Day celebrations.
This year, to mark the 400th anniversary of England’s most famous playwright – who died on 23 April 1616 – the centre of London will be dedicated to the Bard of Avon. City Hall has been kind enough to lay on the best mock Tudor entertainment has to offer in recognition of the ruffle-collared poet – all for free.
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Roaming actors will be wandering around the fountains reciting some of Will’s most famous sonnets and soliloquies. Better brush up on your “to be or not to be”.
If you’re more of the quiet type, there’s a digital library for you to download some modern-day copies of Shakespeare’s finests. And, for those who prefer the immersive experience, you can try out the Midsummer Night’s Dream enchanted forest with “trees, fairies, elves and sprites”.
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Don’t know your Juliet from your Julius? Then be just and fear not, for even Shakespeare’s day isn’t safe from the spread of the celebrity chef. Masterchef winner Natalie Coleman and restauranter-cum-author Ed Baines will be doing live cooking demonstrations beside the fourth plinth.
The action runs from 12pm – 6pm on Saturday 23 April. Best to get there early, for the rain it raineth every day – and tomorrow it’ll come down mid-afternoon.