Twelfth Night

TWELFTH NIGHT
by William Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s Coming Home
The Ballroom, Stratford-upon-Avon Town Hall
1 – 12 March 2022

Paul Edmondson writes:
The statue of William Shakespeare that usually adorns the niche above the entrance to Stratford Town Hall is in need of restoration. It is badly in need of full restoration and conservation. So, our Shakespeare has been sent away to be conserved – at the cost £45,000. The statue is made of lead, and will in fact be restored by the leading experts Rupert Harris Conservation Ltd: Conservators of Fine Metalwork, Historic and Modern Sculpture.

The statue is important for several reasons. In 1769, David Garrick was invited by the Town Council to hold a Jubilee in celebration of Shakespeare, to open the then new Town Hall, and to grace Stratford-upon-Avon by becoming the first Honorary Freeman of the Borough. Garrick more than rose to the occasion. He built a temporary theatrical pavilion on what is now the site of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, invited his friend Thomas Arne to write music for Garrick’s new Shakespeare Ode, and held a three-day celebration of music, pageant, fireworks, and concerts. To mark the occasion, Garrick recited his ode in front of the statue of Shakespeare (based on the one in Westminster Abbey), and gave the statue to people of Stratford-upon-Avon.

I was asked by Stratford Town Council how we might raise funds – hence our project: Shakespeare’s Coming Home. Shakespeare’s Coming Home seeks to gather individuals, communities and businesses together in the beautiful ballroom of the Town Hall for a reading of Shakespeare’s complete works over the course of 12 days from 1 – 12 March, from ‘the prick of noon’ (12.00pm) until ‘the chimes at midnight’ (12.00am) each day.

Cast & Crew

Cast

Observations

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