From Shakespeare-themed exhibits to superb productions, there are a great range of Shakespeare visitor attractions in Yorkshire to help support a lifelong love of The Bard:
Table of Contents
Learning
See Shakespeare’s First Folio
Craven Museum is one of only a few places in the world where the First Folio is on permanent display.
The First Folio is the first collected edition of William Shakespeare’s plays. Not all of Shakespeare’s plays were published during his life so that eighteen of them only survive as part of the First Folio, including Julius Caesar, Macbeth and The Tempest.
This copy of the First Folio belonged to local businessman John James Wilkinson. His family owned Primrose Mill in Embsay, along with tobacconists and grocers’ shops. John was also a noted scientist and amateur playwright, co-writing a play about Skipton. When John died, he left his First Folio to his sister, Ann. She bequeathed it to the museum in 1936.
See costumes used in famous Shakespeare productions
Explore the history of York through the drama of Shakespeare at a brand new exhibition, Bard at Barley Hall. Discover costumes from popular plays, including Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, dress up and perform your own scenes on the interactive stage, and even stage your own shadow puppet performances of Hamlet and MacBeth!
Performances
Twelfth Night: 1st Sept 2022 – OUTDOOR
Join The HandleBards at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield for a bicycle-powered, laugh-out-loud production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.
Much Ado About Nothing – 9th – 24th Sept
Shakespeare’s raucous comedy Much Ado About Nothing is presented by Sheffield Theatres in association with Ramps on the Moon, the pioneering initiative committed to putting deaf and disabled artists and audiences at the centre of their work. Every performance features the use of integrated creative sign language, audio description and captioning.
Twelfth Night – 10th Sept 2022 – OUTDOOR
At: RSPB Dearne Valley near Barnsley
Prepare for an evening of mischief and hilarity, as five actors present an inventive take on this rip-roaring comedy, fit for all the family. Touring the UK this summer, this Shakespearean classic will be getting the full Three Inch Fools treatment: expect fast-paced drama, endless costume changes, and much music-making along the way!
Much Ado About Nothing – 27th Sept – 1st Oct 2022
At: Leeds Playhouse
Shakespeare’s raucous comedy Much Ado About Nothing is presented by Sheffield Theatres in association with Ramps on the Moon, the pioneering initiative committed to putting deaf and disabled artists and audiences at the centre of their work. Every performance features the use of integrated creative sign language, audio description and captioning.
The Tempest – 29th Sept – 1st Oct 2022
Shakespeare’s tale of power, deception and forgiveness is given a novel twist as local people take to the stage at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield.
The Tempest – 1st Oct 2022
York Shakespeare Project’s final performances of Shakespeare’s powerful last play, The Tempest, brings their two-decade mission of performing all of his plays to an end. The island setting comes to life through communal storytelling in a new interpretation that captures the play’s themes of colonisation, reconciliation and change, and which harnesses all the experience of the company’s 20 years of performing Shakespeare.
Performing at York Theatre Royal, on the doorstep of the famous York Minster, this production offers theatre-goers a huge range of dinner and accommodation options.
First Encounters: Twelfth Night – Wed 12th Oct 2022
At: York Theatre Royal, York
Part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s First Encounters with Shakespeare series this new version of Twelfth Night is the perfect introduction to Shakespeare for 7 to 13 year olds. Running time 90 minutes. Start time: 2.30pm.
Performing at York Theatre Royal, on the doorstep of the famous York Minster, this production offers theatre-goers a huge range of dinner and accommodation options.
Macbeth – 12th – 15th Oct 2022
A production by The Faction at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough. A raw, intimate, and passionate portrayal of Lord and Lady Macbeth’s famous partnership.
First Encounters: Twelfth Night – Sat 15th Oct 2022
At: The Studio @ Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
Part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s First Encounters with Shakespeare series this new version of Twelfth Night is the perfect introduction to Shakespeare for 7 to 13 year olds. Running time 90 minutes. Start time: 2.30pm.
Othello – 18th – 22nd Oct 2022
At: York Theatre Royal, York
Frantic Assembly presents its award-winning and electrifying take on Shakespeare’s tragedy of paranoia, sex and murder. Othello’s passionate affair with Desdemona becomes the catalyst for jealousy, betrayal, revenge and the darkest intents.
Performing at York Theatre Royal, on the doorstep of the famous York Minster, this production offers theatre-goers a huge range of dinner and accommodation options.
Macbeth – 27th Oct 2022
A Leeds Conservatoire Production presented in partnership with Leeds Playhouse
Both this and the Twelfth Night Leeds Conservatoire Shakespeare productions can be booked by schools in Leeds and the surrounding areas for an exclusive performance and associated Shakespeare workshop (email creativeeducation@leedsplayhouse.org.uk)
Twelfth Night – 29th Oct 2022
At: Leeds Playhouse
A Leeds Conservatoire Production presented in partnership with Leeds Playhouse.
Both this and the Macbeth Leeds Conservatoire Shakespeare productions can be booked by schools in Leeds and the surrounding areas for an exclusive performance and associated Shakespeare workshop (email creativeeducation@leedsplayhouse.org.uk)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – 10th – 12th Nov 2022
At: Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond, North Yorkshire
Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society (RADS) present Shakespeare’s magical comedy masterpiece – a story of order and disorder, reality and appearance, and love and marriage.
Screenings
Much Ado About Nothing
This National Theatre Live screening allows you to escape to the Italian Riviera with a cast including Katherine Parkinson (Home, I’m Darling, The IT Crowd) and John Heffernan (Dracula, She Stoops to Conquer).
Director Simon Godwin (Twelfth Night, Antony and Cleopatra) returns following the award-winning success of his Romeo & Juliet film.
At: Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough – 8th September
At: Hull Truck Theatre, Hull – 8th September
At: Leeds Grand Theatre, Leeds – 8th September
At: Spotlight Theatre, Bridlington – 28th September
Richard III
Young Richard begins his climb to the top. But how can such a tyrant be stopped?
Royal Shakespeare Company live production.
At: Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough – 28th September
Othello
This National Theatre Live screening broadcasts an extraordinary new production of Shakespeare’s most enduring tragedy, directed by Clint Dyer with a cast that includes Giles Terera (Hamilton), Rosy McEwen (The Alienist) and Paul Hilton (The Inheritance).
She’s a bright, headstrong daughter of a senator; elevated by her status but stifled by its expectations. He’s refugee of slavery; having risen to the top of a white world, he finds love across racial lines has a cost.
Wed in secret, Desdemona and Othello crave a new life together. But as unseen forces conspire against them, they find their future is not theirs to decide.
Othello is filmed live on the Lyttleton stage of the National Theatre.
At: Spotlight Theatre, Bridlington – 1st March 2023
At: Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House – 2nd March 2023
Tell us about your Shakespeare attraction
Have we missed any Shakespeare theme attractions or events from the above? Tell us about your Shakespeare happenings in the comments below.
