SHAKESPEARE took centre stage in Parliament on the eve of his birthday.
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust hosted a special event on Wednesday April 22 showcasing ten objects from its world class collection in the Jubilee Room in Parliament.
These included the famous WS signet ring and the earliest copy of Shakespeare’s will, famously bequeathing his wife Anne (or Agnes) Hathaway his ‘second best bed’.
Professor Sir Stanley Wells, chairman of the Trust’s Consultative Council marked the birthday by cutting a specially made Shakespeare cake with Sir Gregory Doran, former artistic director at the Royal Shakespeare Company and member of the Consultative Council who also performed a Sonnet.
And for the Trust, it was a case of coming home. The SBT was born out of a public campaign – led by Parliamentarians, royalty and cultural figures including Charles Dickens – who decided to act when the house where Shakespeare was born came up for sale.
SBT’s chief executive Rachael North said: “It was a pleasure to bring some of Shakespeare’s treasures back to where, in many ways, our Trust was born and to share them with parliamentarians and many of our partners, patrons and funders.
“Museums like ours play a vital role in places, acting as anchors for local identity and pride in place and make significant contributions to education and the regional economy.
“Next year, we will also be celebrating the birthday of the Trust itself. We have big plans to mark 180 years – securing the future of our collection in a new home and accessible store in Stratford.”
