Last week, I joined actor Samuel West and colleagues to hand a petition to the Prime Minister at Number 10. The petition calls for the Government to institute Shakespeare Day on 23rd April 2015 and every year thereafter as a celebration of our national bard, William Shakespeare.

William Shakespeare is hailed as the greatest playwright and poet who ever lived, his name is known throughout the world and his plays have been translated into many languages, yet his birthday is never marked in British calendars or diaries.

I agree that the time is overdue for Britain’s greatest literary figure to be honoured by a date in the nation’s calendar. His actual date of birth is not known, but from baptism records we know that he was born on or near 23rd April 1564 – St George’s Day. The town of Stratford-upon-Avon, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Globe Theatre and many educational institutions already recognise this as the date.

The purpose of this petition is to kick-start an e-petition and, once 100,000 signatures have been received, ministers will then be compelled to have a Commons debate on the issue.

Where There’s a Will, There’s a Day!

Posted 28th June 2013