23rd April 2016

Lots happening this week including the Queen's 90th birthday which she celebrated in Windsor, so no photos or sharing of the birthday cake. Of course, the Queen has two birthdays, her official one is in June and she will be in London for that one so maybe she'll want to hang out with me then.

 There was another celebration today, that of William Shakespeare who died 400 years ago on 23rd April 1616. There is some debate about his birth date which was not recorded but his baptismal date was 25th April 1564 and it is assumed that he was born on 23rd April the same date on which he died. To celebrate the event the Globe theatre has produced a series of short films to be shown free along the Southbank this weekend.
The complete walk consists of 37 specially made short films approximately 10 mins in length, playing on a loop along a 2.5 mile route between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge. Each film explores one of Shakespeare's plays and includes scenes shot in the locations Shakespeare imagined when he wrote them, as well as other footage.

 Unfortunately a number of the screens were beset with technical problems

 I was there early this morning before the crowds arrived but as the day went on there were large groups surrounding the screens. Time for me to move on.











We were also entertained by musicians.

              

It wasn't just the Globe theatre that had planned something for today, the British Library have designed this wallpaper. Read more about it below.

 

 So there is no excuse for not reading or watching the Bard's work this weekend.

 The 23rd April is also St George's Day and as he is the patron saint of England there was a big party in Trafalgar Square with music, food and entertainment.

  And if it's St George then there has to be a dragon somewhere that just might need slaying.

And tomorrow? Well it's the London Marathon so another busy day ( as a spectator!).