Shakespeare's Birthday Celebrations - Stratford on

I went to see "King Lear" at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford on Avon, and as it was the Saturday closest to the bard's birthday the town was celebrating.

Floats processed and there were costumed characters. The group in the photo are all members of the Royal Shakespeare Company, the repertory theatre company based at the main theatre (you may recognise the actress who played Ophelia opposite David Tennant, or others in the smiling group)

"King Lear" was intense and harrowing, as it should be - it's Shakespeare's darkest tragedy and the hardest to perform credibly. This was a magnificent and gruelling production. It was reassuring to emerge into the sunlight to see the festivities were continuing.

Some other shots from today

floats ready to process

the RSC Theatre being renovated and nearly ready to re open

the set of "King Lear"