WHAT to get the Shakespeare lover who has everything this Christmas? That is the question, and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust may have the answer.
For the ultimate, once in a lifetime Christmas gift, the trust is offering the chance to ‘buy’ The Winter’s Tale as part of its fund-raising for Shakespeare’s New Place, the new retelling of Shakespeare’s family home of 20 years, which is set to open next year.
On offer this Christmas only, gift givers can dedicate The Winter’s Tale to the benefactor of their choice – although they will need £5,000 to do so.
The play pennant will be part of an installation in the contemporary art and sculptural garden on the spot where New Place once stood.
It will be one of 38 play pennants, and will always be associated with the person for whom it is bought – ensuring The Winter’s Tale will be connected to a single individual on the very ground in Stratford where Shakespeare and his family lived and breathed for nearly 20 years.
“I cannot think of a better Christmas gift for lovers of Shakespeare,” said trust CEO Dr Diana Owen.
“New Place will be a permanent and enduring legacy of the 400th anniversary celebrations and one of the most exciting. It will be an evocative retelling of Shakespeare’s former home and a gateway into finding more about the man and his life in Stratford.
“To be part of Shakespeare’s New Place, and to be associated with one of his great works, is surely a one of a kind, once in a life time opportunity.”
The play pennants will fly in the Golden Garden at the Chapel Lane site. All of the plays, alongside The Winter’s Tale, are proving popular with many key works already reserved. All plays are available on a first come, first served basis.
Call Laura Hines on 01789 33 8496 for further details.
