Exciting Shakespeare to book to see

While we can never know, it is widely considered that William Shakespeare was born on 23 April 1564.

The conclusion has been drawn after parish records confirm his baptism three days later (the optimal time) on 26 April. New parents were instructed that their children were to be baptised no later than the first Sunday after birth.

Coincidentally, it is recorded that Shakespeare also died on 23 April, 1616. He was 52 years of age.

As the world celebrates the playwright throughout the month, here are our picks of exciting Shakespeare productions to see this year.

As You Like It

Tony Award winner Jonathan Groff will make his RSC debut in an all-male As You Like It in the iconic Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Daniel Evans directs Groff as Rosalind alongside Fisayo Akinade as Celia. If you can’t wait that long, the Handlebards are cycling across the country with their set, props and costumes for a bike-powered production of As You Like It. Now that’s sustainable Shakespeare!

Plays at Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 26 September to 7 November

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

If you can’t decide which Shakespeare to see next, why not take a whistlestop tour of them all? The Reduced Shakespeare Company returns with an updated take on its long-running show, following its previous West End run, two television specials and international performances!

Currently on tour

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

We’re absolutely spoiled for choice of stagings of this classic comedy of magic and mayhem! In the coming months, you can see Emily Lim’s take at the Globe from 23 April to 29 August, or a child-friendly caper at Unicorn Theatre until 10 May. Alternatively, experience it under the stars at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre (29 June to 18 July) in a new production directed by Atri Banerjee, with folk-infused melodies composed by Maimuna Memon. Finally, the enchanted forest will host a neon rave in a revival at Birmingham Rep (25 April to 24 May 2026), designed by Carl Davies with sound design by Claire Windsor.

Various productions play across the UK this year

Hamlet

Shakespeare North offers exciting Shakespeare all year round, and as part of that, A Place for Us Theatre Company is bringing their 70-minute outdoor version of Hamlet this summer.

Plays at Shakespeare North from 16 to 18 July

Julius Caesar

If you can’t get enough of open-air theatre, you won’t go far wrong with this one. The tense drama will be staged on the cliffs of Cornwall, making for a rather atmospheric night. Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company returns to the Minack and will be performing in traditional Roman costume.

Plays at Minack Theatre from 10 to 13 August

King Lear

Later this year, David Threlfall returns to the Royal Exchange after 27 years to take on the role of Lear. Matthew Dunster adapts and directs the new take.

Plays at Royal Exchange Theatre from 2 October to 15 November

Lear

As part of Alan Cumming’s inaugural season as artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Maureen Beattie will take the title role in a new adaptation of Shakespeare’s King Lear. Simply titled Lear, the production, directed by Finn den Hertog, will also feature Forbes Masson as Gloucester and designs by Emma Bailey.

Plays at Pitlochry Festival Theatre from 4 July to 1 August

Love’s Labour’s Lost

This summer, Indiana Lown-Collins injects her rural Spanish roots into a flamenco-inspired reimagining of the comedy! The production will be designed by Katie Lias, and we’re looking forward to seeing what she has in mind! Of course, other Shakespeare at the Globe includes Much Ado About Nothing, which will run from 11 June until 24 October, directed by Chelsea Walker, and As You Like It, from 14 August until 25 October, co-directed by associate artistic director Sean Holmes and Globe associate artist Charlie Josephine. Josephine will also appear in the production as Orlando, alongside Lola Shalam as Rosalind.

Plays at Shakespeare’s Globe from 17 July to 13 September

Romeo and Juliet (West End)

There is still time to catch Stranger Things star Sadie Sink and Hamnet standout Noah Jupe make their West End debuts in Robert Icke’s much talked about revival of Romeo and Juliet.

Plays at the Harold Pinter Theatre until 20 June

Sh!t-faced Shakespeare

They’re back! Expect a “tipsily tragic take” on Romeo and Juliet when the show returns to London and will be staggering on a boozy tour of the UK.

Plays in London from 11 August before embarking on a tour

The Tempest

Kenneth Branagh will return to Stratford-upon-Avon for the first time in over 30 years to play Prospero in a production by Richard Eyre. It marks the performer’s first time taking on the role in Shakespeare’s final play, and he will be joined by Ruby Stokes, Fred Woodley Evans, Amara Okereke and more.

Plays at Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 13 May to 20 June

Twelfth Night

This uplifting new queer production sees Cesario, for the first time, as a trans character, and celebrates the beauty in being unapologetically yourself. Juliette Manon directs the show, which will also play at the Sherman Theatre.

Plays at Theatre Clwyd from 25 April to 16 May

Venus and Adonis

Former artistic director of the RSC Greg Doran will revive his celebrated staging of Venus and Adonis for a UK tour. It will be narrated by Simon Russell Beale and brought to life by a team of world-class puppeteers employing a range of techniques including marionette, rod, shadow, and tabletop puppetry. With live music, the production blends comedy and tragedy with Shakespeare’s poetry to chart the story of Venus and her obsessive love for the beautiful Adonis.

Tour starts in June