On Saturday October 15 at 7:30 pm the village of Newenden will make a unique contribution to the celebrations marking Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary.
Recent research has revealed that in the year 1593/94 the London theatres were closed because of plague. Shakespeare and his actor friends could earn nothing in London so they took their plays on tour. They played in the major towns of the day: Rye, Lydd, New Romney, Folkestone, Canterbury and Maidstone. It is probable that they walked through Newenden on their way to Rye, maybe even stopped at one of the village hostelries and enjoyed a tipple.
Local historian, Ake Nilson, has delved into the archives and come up with “King Edward 1”, which villagers will perform in the first half of Saturday’s entertainment. After the interval, a selection of favourite Shakespeare sonnets and speeches will be delivered and Joe Jones will perform his own setting of Shakespeare’s song: Take, oh take those lips away, written especially for the occasion.
Admission is free and donations will be invited for the Friends of St Peter’s, which raises money to support the PCC in maintaining and improving the fabric of the church.
Photo: library image