Happy Birthday, Mr. Shakespeare! at The Old Globe Theatre

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts.

-William Shakespeare, As You Like It

This weekend, the Old Globe Theatre will host a celebration in honor of William Shakespeare’s birthday.  The Old Globe theatre is the perfect place to celebrate and honor Shakespeare, especially considering that the theatre was built based on a copy of the Globe Theatre in London, where many of his plays were performed during his lifetime.

The Old Globe in San Diego has grown into an internationally known theatre complex. In 1984 it received the Tony Award for best regional theatre, and many shows that have originated at the Old Globe have gone on to win Tony Awards and nominations. The Old Globe Theatre is a gem in San Diego and it has been our city’s flagship arts institution for over 80 years. To honor their roots and one of the most influential playwrights in the history of theatre, The Old Globe offers free admission to their “Happy Birthday, Mr. Shakespeare!” event. The celebration is supported by a grant from The James Irvine Foundation.

While William Shakespeare’s actual date of birth is unclear, it has been recorded that he was baptized on April 26, 1564. As baptisms took place a few days after a child’s birth, historians believe that Shakespeare was born on April 23rd. Interestingly, April 23 is also the date of his death.

The birthday bash is fun for the whole family and will be complete with live music (featuring DJ Redlite), a costume exhibit, and Shakespeare-themed activities on Copley Plaza (including a life-sized board game). In the Craig Noel Garden, children can build their own Shakespearean puppets and perform in an interactive puppet show. And, of course, no birthday party would be complete without cake, so don’t miss out on the sweets to commemorate the playwright.

Are you an aspiring poet? Do you love to take the stage? Participate in sonnet karaoke, a unique event led by the illustrious students in The Old Globe and University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Theatre Program. Bring your own sonnet or monologue, or choose one from the list to recite.

The celebration will commence at the Old Globe Theatre on Saturday, April 22 from 11am to 2pm.