 |
 |
 |
The Shakespeare Company is the centre of the Shakespearian universe, with other operations in London and Plymouth. In Stratford, we find the finest actors and directors working on great plays in some of the best theatre spaces in the world. The RSC in Stratford offers three theatres providing an elaborate range of drama, ancient and modern, classic and contemporary.
| Stratford-upon-Avon | |||
| Welcome to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, steeped in culture and history. Set in the beautiful rural Warwickshire countryside, on the banks of the river Avon, it is one of the most important tourist destinations in the UK. With easy road, rail and airport access, it is the perfect place for a vacation or short break. |  |
In the birthplace of England's greatest poet and playwright, the town is still an important market town in Warwickshire. Many of the original houses from Shakespeare's time are still in excellent condition, being preserved by the Shakespeare organisation. His historic birthplace is only 10 minutes walk from the hotel. | |
 |
These fine old buildings, the characteristically wide streets and the tranquil flowing River Avon still make Stratford-upon-Avon a delight to visit. There are many shops, restaurants and pubs within easy walking distance of the hotel. The hotel sits alongside the River Avon, which winds through the town, past the mooring basins where colourful narrow boats tie up. |  |
|
| Brief History of William Shakespeare | |||
William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) was born at Stratford-upon-Avon in a house in Henley Street. This is preserved intact. His mother, Mary Arden, was one of the daughters of Robert Arden, a yeoman farmer of Wilmcote: his father, John Shakespeare, was a glover and wool dealer of good standing who held the office of Bailiff of the Borough in 1568. From the age of seven to about 14, he attended Stratford Grammar School receiving an excellent well rounded education. At the age of 18 he married Anne Hathaway, who was seven years his senior and three months pregnant. She was of 'yeoman' stock - her family owned a farm one mile west of Stratford in Shottery. |
He endured her until he could stand it no longer and fled to London to become an actor. He then became actor-manager and part-owner in the Blackfriars and afterwards the Globe Theatres. He was a first-rate actor, but it is as a writer of plays that he has achieved lasting world-wide fame. His plays are thought to be the finest ever written in any language. His 37 plays vary in type; historical romances, light, fantastic comedies, some are tragedies, all including the comical and the farcical. He was a shrewd business man, amassing quite a fortune in his time. He returned to Stratford for his latter years where he died at the age of 52 and now lies at rest in his special grave at Holy Trinity Church. |
||
