Bard’s birthday bash

A birthday cake that serves at least 2,000 people, live 17th-century music, and a procession led by Queen Elizabeth I, portrayed by a re-enactor, are just some of the highlights planned for the Folger Shakespeare Library’s annual William Shakespeare birthday bash April 25.

This year, the playwright, born April 23, 1564, would have turned 440 years old. Despite his ancient age, Shakespeare appeals to the younger crowd, party organizers say.

“We have quite the stroller brigade here in the early part of the day,” says Garland Scott, head of public relations for the Folger Shakespeare Library.

The festivities take place from noon to 4 p.m.

Ms. Scott says this younger crew enjoys free balloons, fake tattoos, face painting and storytelling, featuring among other children’s books “Good Queen Bess: The Story of Elizabeth I of England,” by Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema. Queen Elizabeth I was Shakespeare’s contemporary.

Youngsters can meet and greet the queen during the party, and at the end of the day, the monarch will serve birthday cake.

“The queen will probably wear a glorious silver satin, bejeweled dress,” says Janet Field-Pickering, head of education at the library.

Little girls and boys who are interested in Elizabethan manners will get a chance to learn how to bow and curtsy to the queen as well as learn and perform an old-time dance called the barnsle dance.

“I think children get a good sense of Shakespeare’s life and times at this event,” Ms. Field-Pickering says. “They get to experience Elizabethan music, manners, dress and stage combat.”

The stage-combat demonstration and workshop, among the event’s most popular activities, give children a chance to learn about the staged combat scenes, including swordplay, that are so common in Shakespeare’s plays.

“Stage combat is a real crowd-pleaser. Kids just love it,” Ms. Scott says.

Children also will get a chance to perform for a few minutes on the Folger stage, over which hangs a canopy with the words, “All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players.”

When youngsters need a break from high-energy activities, storytelling is a good way to wind down. It will be available throughout the day in reading rooms that otherwise are closed to the public. These rooms feature magnificent stained-glass windows, wood paneling, oversized chandeliers and oil paintings depicting sometimes gruesome scenes from Shakespeare’s plays.

Children can participate in scavenger hunts, and docents will give tours of the library and theater spaces. Other activities include brooch, badge and pendant making (using dried pasta, gold spray paint and ribbons) and Elizabethan games such as ninepins (reminiscent of today’s bowling).

Also featured at the party will be strolling singers and lute players, and if the weather is nice, tours of the garden. Herbs and other plants mentioned in Shakespeare’s works will be on display and for sale.

Story Continues →