LIVING statues are being invited to standstill for Shakespeare’s birthday.
Big changes to the annual Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebrations in Stratford will see it extend over three days from next year. Between April 20 and 22 a raft of new entertainment and events are planned throughout the town.
And among them will be the UK’s first National Living Statue Championship.
Living statues – costumed actors who often pose motionless for hours before surprising on-lookers by springing into life – are popular in tourists hotspots around the world.
Stratford already has a few regulars of its own, and many more are set to join them for the championships, which will see them perform across the weekend, before being judged on the final day.
LSD Promotions, which manages the town’s markets, is organising the championships.
Dermot McGillicuddy, director of LSD Promotions, said: “We are proud to introduce the National Living Statue Championship to this country and to work with Shakespeare’s Celebrations to make Stratford-upon-Avon its home.
“We are sure the response to the contest will be as enthusiastic as it is around the world, as clearly seen at the International championship in the Netherlands this year.
“Stratford and the Birthday Celebrations weekend provide a perfect setting for these amazing living statues to demonstrate their craft to thousands of people over the three day carnival.”
Professional, amateur and junior statues are invited to enter the competition. There is no charge to enter and there will be cash prizes to be won. Anyone interested in entering should email [email protected] or call 01384 877336 for more information or an application form.
Visit www.shakespearescelebrations.com for more on the new-look celebrations.
