Bard brought to life with series of events

Shrewsbury Shakespeare Day is being held on Saturday.

It will see drama, music, songs and combat from Shakespeare's time being performed in the Square from 11am to 4pm.

Members of the public will have a chance to get involved by performing their favourite piece of text from Shakespeare and have it recorded for a YouTube film called Shrewsbury Shakespeare Day Selfies.

There will also be a Shakespeare treasure hunt, organised by Max Ball from Shrewsbury caravan dealership Salop Leisure, as one of 12 challenges he has set himself this year to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

A Shakespeare 'Insults in the Square' will be held in the centre of town, while in Shrewsbury Castle grounds there will be a selection of school performances of Shakespearean scenes.

Characters from Shakespeare's plays will appear around the town during the day, including in the shopping centres.

A master class will be held by a Royal Shakespeare Company educator will be held in the Wightman Theatre in the town at 4pm and St Mary's Church will be celebrating historic figures with links to Shropshire, England and St George.

The Lads will be appearing at Stop! Cafe in Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery at 11.30am and 2pm and will be performing with musical accompaniment by Pendragon.

At the High Cross at the top of Pride Hill, Henry V will be performed at 12pm and 2pm.

Shropshire Youth Theatre will join in the celebrations by performing Twelfth Night at Theatre Severn on both April 22 and April 23 and Maggie Love, artistic director of Shrewsbury Heritage, is co-producing Shakespeare's Will at the Wightman the following week. A Shakespearian recital by the Shropshire Drama Company will complete the day's events at a special banquet being held at Draper's Hall.

For more information contact Maggie on 07813 026367, email sytmaggie@yahoo.com or visit www.shrewsburyheritage.co.uk