Shakespeare Jubilee
Encyclopedia
The Shakespeare Jubilee was staged in Stratford-upon-Avon
between 5-7 September 1769. The jubilee was organised by the actor
and theatre manager David Garrick
to celebrate the jubilee
of the birth of William Shakespeare
. It had a major impact on the rising tide of bardolatry
that led to Shakespeare becoming established as the English national poet. Thomas Arne composed the song Soft Flowing Avon
for the Jubilee.
Stratford was at the time a town of around 2,200. Garrick, a well-known Shakespearean actor, had the idea for the Jubilee when he was approached by the town's leaders who wanted him to fund a statue of Shakespeare to stand in the Town Hall. Garrick planned a major celebration with major figures from London's cultural, political and economic world attending. He oversaw the construction of a large rotunda
, based on the one in Ranelagh Gardens
in London, which could hold 1,000 spectators.
The Jubilee opened on 5 September with the firing of thirty cannons and the ringing of church bells. Various events were held to commemorate Shakespeare's life. On the second day bad weather began to disrupt the proceedings and flooded parts of the Rotunda when the banks of the River Avon broke. The highlights of the second day were the unveiling of the new statue at the Town Hall and a masquerade
held in the evening. The third day was to have seen a grand Shakespeare Pageant
but the heavy rain forced this to be cancelled. Garrick later staged the Pageant
in the Drury Lane Theatre
where it was a success - running for ninety performances.
It was the first jubilee celebration of Shakespeare's life, although it was held more than five years after the bicentenary
of his birth in April 1564. In spite of the impact it had on the rising popularity of Shakespeare and his works, none of his plays were performed during the Jubilee.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is a market town and civil parish in south Warwickshire, England. It lies on the River Avon, south east of Birmingham and south west of Warwick. It is the largest and most populous town of the District of Stratford-on-Avon, which uses the term "on" to indicate that it covers...
between 5-7 September 1769. The jubilee was organised by the actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and theatre manager David Garrick
David Garrick
David Garrick was an English actor, playwright, theatre manager and producer who influenced nearly all aspects of theatrical practice throughout the 18th century and was a pupil and friend of Dr Samuel Johnson...
to celebrate the jubilee
Jubilee
-Anniversaries and celebrations:*Jubilee , Royal Jubilee years are depicted in Egyptian history*Jubilee , the Jubilee year specified in the Torah*Jubilee , a special year for the remission of sins and universal pardon...
of the birth of William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
. It had a major impact on the rising tide of bardolatry
Bardolatry
Bardolatry is a term that refers to the excessive adulation of William Shakespeare, a portmanteau of "bard" and "idolatry." Shakespeare has been known as "the Bard" since the nineteenth century. One who idolizes Shakespeare is known as a Bardolater....
that led to Shakespeare becoming established as the English national poet. Thomas Arne composed the song Soft Flowing Avon
Soft Flowing Avon
Soft Flowing Avon was a 1769 song with music written by Thomas Arne and lyrics by David Garrick. It was composed for and first staged at the Shakespeare Jubilee in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1769. The lyrics refer to the River Avon which flows through the town, the birthplace of William Shakespeare....
for the Jubilee.
Stratford was at the time a town of around 2,200. Garrick, a well-known Shakespearean actor, had the idea for the Jubilee when he was approached by the town's leaders who wanted him to fund a statue of Shakespeare to stand in the Town Hall. Garrick planned a major celebration with major figures from London's cultural, political and economic world attending. He oversaw the construction of a large rotunda
Rotunda (architecture)
A rotunda is any building with a circular ground plan, sometimes covered by a dome. It can also refer to a round room within a building . The Pantheon in Rome is a famous rotunda. A Band Rotunda is a circular bandstand, usually with a dome...
, based on the one in Ranelagh Gardens
Ranelagh Gardens
Ranelagh Gardens were public pleasure gardens located in Chelsea, then just outside London, England in the 18th century.-History:The Ranelagh Gardens were so called because they occupied the site of Ranelagh House, built in 1688-89 by the first Earl of Ranelagh, Treasurer of Chelsea Hospital ,...
in London, which could hold 1,000 spectators.
The Jubilee opened on 5 September with the firing of thirty cannons and the ringing of church bells. Various events were held to commemorate Shakespeare's life. On the second day bad weather began to disrupt the proceedings and flooded parts of the Rotunda when the banks of the River Avon broke. The highlights of the second day were the unveiling of the new statue at the Town Hall and a masquerade
Masquerade ball
A masquerade ball is an event which the participants attend in costume wearing a mask. - History :...
held in the evening. The third day was to have seen a grand Shakespeare Pageant
Pageant
A medieval pageant is a form of procession traditionally associated with both secular and religious rituals, often with a narrative structure. Pageantry was an important aspect of medieval European seasonal festivals, in particular around the celebration of Corpus Christi, which began after the...
but the heavy rain forced this to be cancelled. Garrick later staged the Pageant
The Jubilee
The Jubilee is a 1769 play by the British playwright and actor-manager David Garrick. It was based on his Shakespeare Pageant which he had originally planned to stage during the Shakespeare Jubilee in Stratford-upon-Avon until heavy rain forced it to be abandoned...
in the Drury Lane Theatre
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is a West End theatre in Covent Garden, in the City of Westminster, a borough of London. The building faces Catherine Street and backs onto Drury Lane. The building standing today is the most recent in a line of four theatres at the same location dating back to 1663,...
where it was a success - running for ninety performances.
It was the first jubilee celebration of Shakespeare's life, although it was held more than five years after the bicentenary
Anniversary
An anniversary is a day that commemorates or celebrates a past event that occurred on the same day of the year as the initial event. For example, the first event is the initial occurrence or, if planned, the inaugural of the event. One year later would be the first anniversary of that event...
of his birth in April 1564. In spite of the impact it had on the rising popularity of Shakespeare and his works, none of his plays were performed during the Jubilee.