Celebrating William Shakespeare

Did You Know

Shakespeare’s company regularly performed for Elizabeth – Possibly at least 3 times at Richmond He referred to her as “our gracious silvery queen” and his play The Merry Wives of Windsor was supposedly written at her command.

The first show at Richmond Theatre was ‘As you Like It’ which opened September 1899. This production marked the theatre’s debut and set the stage for a long and successful history of performances.

The National Archives holds over 120 documents which contain evidence of William Shakespeare’s life as a playwright, actor and property owner. About 40 of these are considered so significant to the study of his life that they are listed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

Shakespeare has a part to play in records of civil and criminal legal cases, property transactions, tax defaults, and his association with London theatres and companies of players including their royal patronage.

The 120 documents include Shakespeare will which is one of our most precious treasures is Shakespeare’s fragile last will and testament from 1616, which contains three of the six surviving examples of his signature

The Mary Wallace Theatre and The Richmond Shakespeare Society

The Richmond Shakespeare Society is a highly-respected amateur dramatic society with membership from a wide area. Founded in 1934 to perform Shakespeare's plays annually in the open air, they have grown to have a programme of eight productions a year by vastly differing playwrights of all eras, from ancient Greece to the modern day.

You can find the RSS at the Mary Wallace Theatre, The Embankment, Twickenham, TW1 3DU.

Garrick’s Temple to Shakespeare

Garrick's Temple was built by the great 18th century actor-manager David Garrick in 1756 to celebrate the genius of William Shakespeare, he then commissioned Robert Adam to improve the house, adding a classical portico and orangery.

At some point in 1755 he decided to build a garden folly by the riverside which he intended to dedicate to his muse Shakespeare as a ‘temple’ to the playwright whose works he had performed to great acclaim throughout his career. He also commissioned the sculptor Roubiliac in 1757 to make a life-size marble statue of his hero to be placed inside, you can now find it at the British Library.

Garrick used the Temple to house his extensive collection of Shakespearean relics and for entertaining his family and friends.

You can find Garrick's Temple on Hampton Court Road, Hampton, TW12 2EN in the public gardens. Please note, Garrick's Temple is free to visit however it is only open to the public on Sunday afternoons from Sunday 7th April until Sunday 27th October 2024

William Shakespeare's Will

You can view William Shakespeare’s will at The National Archives William Shakespeare - The National Archives

National Archives, Ruskin Avenue, Kew, TW9 4DU

Queen Elizabeth and William Shakespeare

Queen Elizabeth made use of Richmond during her reign with Elizabeth's favourite home being Richmond Palace where she later died in 1603.

She frequently visited Richmond at Christmas and Shrovetide and enjoyed having plays performed for her in the palace by companies of players from London. – including the one of which William Shakespeare was a member. Unfortunately not much of Richmond Palace remains today.

Queen Elizabeth valued and supported theatre, her support was highly valuable to Shakespeare and contributed to his success in London.

Inspiration

Sounds and Sweet Airs

Bloomsbury Baroque mark Shakespeare's birthday with music from his day and from the eighteenth-century revival of his work, using instruments to suit each era. Philippa Hyde - Soprano William Summers - Flute, Recorder Diane Moore - Violin Ibrahim Aziz - Viol, Cello Yeo Yat-Soon - Harpsichord
1. 25 Apr 2026
Primary Shakespeare – The Comedy of Errors

For over 40 years, the Orange Tree Theatre’s Primary Shakespeare programme has introduced tens of thousands of young people to the magic of Shakespeare and live theatre. This year, we are delighted to present The Comedy of Errors, Shakespeare’s bonkers comedy brought to life for younger audiences. Come to our public performance to experience this lively, interactive 60-minute retelling. Note that for 2026 only, Primary Shakespeare is performed at Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College, next door to the OT.
1. 20 Jun 2026
ShiP Symposium

Shakespeare in Philosophy Speakers will include Sarah Beckwith (Duke University), Martin Harries (UC Irvine), Christoph Schuringa (Northeastern University), Erica Sheen (University of York), and Michael Witmore (Independent Scholar). We will also have a session on Richard Wilson's recent book Shakespeare's Fascist Followers: Modern Friends There will be tea/coffee breaks and a break for lunch at a nearby pub
1. 27 Jun 2026
The Merry Wives of Windsor

Wives may be merry, and yet honest too.” Falstaff is skint and scheming. He sets his sights on the Merry Wives of Windsor, but these sharp-witted women have plans of their own. Expect romance, mischief, and riotous comedy in this sparkling Shakespeare classic brought to life in York House’s Fountain Gardens.
1. 13 Jul 202618 Jul 2026
As You Like It

Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, the HandleBards are a four-strong troupe of actors who are spending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK. Join the troupe at Strawberry Hill House & Garden for a fantastically funny bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’. What’s the play about? Well - Rosalind and her cousin Celia flee to the Forest of Arden, where they bump into Rosalind’s love interest Orlando. However, Rosalind is disguised as a young man. Cue some local Shepherds getting involved and the stage is set for a wild ride of wooing, hilarious mistaken identity and the odd wrestling match.
1. 4 Jul 2026
OT Saturday Seminar Shakespeare Comedies

Whether you’re a curious newcomer or a seasoned theatregoer, Saturday Seminars promise fresh perspectives, lively discussion, and new ways to connect with the stories we tell.
1. 15 Aug 2026
Much Ado About Nothing

When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I would live till I were married. Summer 1945. To celebrate victory, four women return to the village where they passed an idyllic pre‑war summer. Unbeknownst to them, their one‑time lovers are also on their way back. As a reunion masked ball is thrown and the inept Home Guard fail to keep order, the course of true love runs anything but smooth. The OT moves to Richmond Hill for Shakespeare’s beloved romantic comedy, featuring the ultimate on‑off couple, as sparky Beatrice and Benedick struggle to deny their mutual attraction.
1. 1 Aug 202622 Aug 2026
The Shakespeare Codex

All the Disc's a stage! Elves are up to no good in Elizabethan England and only 1 man can stop them. But he may need some help from a bunch of wizards, an Orangutan and a portable thinking machine.
1. 12 Sep 202619 Sep 2026
The Shakespeare Codex Captioned Performance

All the Disc's a stage! Elves are up to no good in Elizabethan England and only 1 man can stop them. But he may need some help from a bunch of wizards, an Orangutan and a portable thinking machine.
1. 17 Sep 2026