72. Happy Birthday Shakespeare! With Robert McCrum

This week we’re celebrating Shakespeare’s 458th birthday with Robert McCrum, author of Shakespearean, and Editor-in-Chief at Faber and Faber for nearly 20 years, as well as literary and associate editor of The Observer.   Robert’s enthusiasm is infectious as he guides us through the best of this summer’s stage productions from Gregory Doran’s production of  Richard III at RSC Stratford from 23rd June, to Kathryn Hunter playing King Lear from 10th June and Julius Caesar from 3rd May, both at The Globe. We also chat about Henry V with Kit Harrington, filmed at the Donmar Warehouse and screening in cinemas via National Theatre Live and The Tragedy of Macbeth with Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. And happy birthday to Ralph Vaughan Williams too, who would be 150 this year. We’re booking: A Sea Symphony by Ralph Vaughan Williams with Hallé Orchestra conducted by Sir Mark Elder at Bridgewater Hall on 30th April To Glorious John conducted by Sir Mark Elder at Bridgewater Hall on 12th May – tune into BBC Radio Three at 7.30 pm to hear the concert live Phantasy Quintet by Ralph Vaughan Williams with Hallé St. Peter’s Chamber Series at Bridgewater Hall on 15th May We’re reading: My Year Off:  Rediscovering Life after a Stroke by Robert McCrum