Today marks the anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birth. After more than four centuries, his plays remain as alive on stage as ever, as does his legacy.
William Shakespeare was baptised on 26 April 1564 at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon, so scholars deduce that he was born on 23 April. Similarly, his burial in the same church is recorded on 26 April 1616. Burials typically happened 2 to 3 days after death, suggesting he died on 23 April as well.
In the last 400 years, William Shakespeare’s fame and legacy have expanded far beyond the reaches of the original Globe theatre where his work was performed during his life. In the last decade alone, at least 30 Shakespeare productions have been staged on the West End. With around 38 plays spanning comedy, tragedy and history, there is always something to stage and no two productions are ever quite the same.
Where to see Shakespeare in London in 2026?
Dominating the West End with a limited run through 20 June 2026 is Romeo and Juliet, directed by Robert Icke and starring Sadie Sink (Stranger Things, John Proctor Is the Villain) and Noah Jupe (Hamnet, A Quiet Place). Both actors made their West End debut in this classic Shakespeare play to rave reviews.
Shakespeare’s Globe produces many of his works with new and interesting concepts every year. Their 2026 summer season will include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing and Love’s Labours Lost.
The Royal Shakespeare Company – based not in London but in Stratford-upon-Avon – is wrapping up a production of Henry V, before hosting a production of The Tempest staring Kenneth Brannagh in May, and a gender bending version of As You Like It this autumn, staring Jonathan Groff (Hamilton, Merrily We Roll Along) and Fisayo Akinade (Heartstopper). The RSC does on occasion transfer some of its productions to the West End for a limited run.
Regent’s Park Open Air theatre also includes A Midsummer Night’s Dream as part of their 2026 summer season, this time directed by Atri Banerjee (The Glass Menagerie, Julius Caesar) and featuring folk-infused original music by Maimuna Memon (The Grapes of Wrath, Portia Coughlan).
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