Thousands expected to line streets for Shakespeare parade

Thousands of tourists, fans and locals are expected to turn out on the streets of Stratford-upon-Avon for a special Shakespeare birthday parade on the 400th anniversary of his death.

The legacy of William Shakespeare, who is buried in Stratford's Holy TrinityChurch, will be brought to life by a host of actors, dancers and theatricalextras, including local schoolchildren and the public.

A centre-piece parade will be the focus of the day's events, beginning as asombre walk of remembrance before ending on a more uplifting note assisted by the New Orleans jazz band.

People walk around Stratford-upon-Avon, England, where William Shakespeare's great house once stood. Credit: PA

A special Shakespeare Mask will feature heavily in the parade proceedings, giving everyone the chance to "be the face of Shakespeare" for the day.

Students from local schools will be distributing 10,000 masks in the town centre.

Traditionally the morning parade is decorated with sprigs of rosemary "forremembrance", as Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, and attended by the toll of a funerary bell.

Dignitaries will then lay a commemorative wreath to arguably the greatestplaywright ever to wield a quill before a host of flags are unfurled in thecentre of the town, signalling a change in mood.

10,000 Shakespeare masks will be given out on the parade morning. Credit: Shakespeare's Celebrations

The parade will then continue through the streets on the final leg of itsjourney, ending near his grave at the historic church.

Shakespeare, who penned almost 40 plays, over 150 sonnets, and coinedwell-known phrases still widely used to this day, died on April 23 - in 1616.

The last resting place of William Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon. Credit: PA

Stratford's mayor Tessa Bates said:

Town clerk Sarah Summers, the Birthday Parade's lead organiser, said elements of audience participation were important to the day's festivities.

Ms Summers explained:

A map of the parade route. Credit: ITV News Central

Parade Highlights

  • The parade departs Stratford Town Hall at 10.15 and will head along Sheep Street, Waterside, Bridge Street, High Street, Chapel Street, Church Street and Old Town to the Church.

  • Parade participants can also be seen around the route and at town centre points including Wood Street, Meer Street and Henley Street.

  • At 11am, the Handing Over of the Quill and Flag Unfurling Ceremony takes place in Bridge Street.

  • Black flagpoles will adorn the route, and the main streets will be covered black and gold bunting.

  • Jazz Band from the School of Liberal Arts at Tulane University, New Orleans, USA will take part in the parade as the Birthday procession moves off in festival mood through the streets to the Holy Trinity Church.

Playing a key role in this year's landmark anniversary is the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), whose grand Stratford theatre on the banks of the River Avon continues to stage and exhibit the Bard's enormous legacy.

During the day, outdoor players will perform iconic extracts from theplaywright's vast array of works.

The day's festivities conclude with a fireworks display and a line of light,leading to Holy Trinity Church, where there will be a graveside vigil.

David Tennant will lead a televised gala celebrating Shakespeare's life. Credit: PA

On Saturday evening, former Doctor Who actor David Tennant is leading anall-star line-up for a televised gala celebrating the Bard's life beingperformed at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, where His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will make a brief appearance.

Tennant, who earned critical acclaim in the RSC's Richard II and played Hamlet in 2009, will be joined for Shakespeare Live by Dame Judi Dench, Al Murray, Tim Minchin and Joseph Fiennes.