Folger Celebrates Shakespeare’s Birthday with Open House (photos)
By • April 23, 2018 0 1635
William Shakespeare is arguably the worlds most famous playwright, and deserves to have his birthday celebrated accordingly.
Hundreds came to celebrate the 454th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birth at the Folger Shakespeare Library on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, April 22 on what has become an annual tradition. There were plenty of activities for young and old alike, including jugglers, jesters, sword fighting demonstrations, music recitals, workshops and arts and crafts. It was also the one day of the year when the Folger reading rooms are open to all.
Home to the world’s largest Shakespeare collection, the Folger Shakespeare Library at 201 E Capitol St SE is a world-renowned center for scholarship, learning, culture, and the arts. Currently on view til June 3, a special exhibition “Beyond Words: Book Illustration in the Age of Shakespeare” includes more than 80 illustrated rare books and prints from the 15th to the 18th century from the collection. The Folger’s building and exhibitions are open to the public every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas, Mondays through Saturdays from 10am through 5pm and Sundays from noon to 5pm.
The birthday celebration concluded with a grand appearance and cutting of the cake by Queen Elizabeth I herself, accompanied by her favorite, William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, ably portrayed by Penelope Rahming and Lawrence Plotkin since 2003.
View Jeff Malet’s photos of Shakespeare’s Birthday celebration at the Folger Shakespeare Library by clicking on the photo icons below.
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- Queen Elizabeth I, portrayed by Penelope Rahming, makes her appearance at the Folger Shakespeare Library. She is accompanied by Lawrence Plotkin as William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley; and Kathleen Pugh as Feste. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Jean Self-Trail and Robert Trail of The Leesburg Assembly, an English Country Dance community located in Northern Virginia are about to perform. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Sword fighting demonstrations with Casey Kaleba (right) and Danny Cackley of Tooth and Claw Combat Arts. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- The WETA Classical Players perform in the Paster Reading of the Folger Shakespeare Library. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- The WETA Classical Players perform in the Paster Reading of the Folger Shakespeare Library. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- James Greshock (age 7) of Springfield, Va. poses as an Elizabethan gentleman. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Lydia (age 9) of Springfield, Va. poses as an Elizabethan lady. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Casey Kaleba of Tooth and Claw Combat Arts poses with a battle axe from Shakespeare’s time. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Helena (age 8) and Martha (7) hug William Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth dolls. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Caroline Duroselle-Melish, Curator of Early Modern Books & Prints, conducts tours of the “Beyond Words” exhibition in the Great Hall of the Folger Shakespeare Library. “Beyond Words” includes more than 80 illustrated books and prints from the Folger collection from the 15th to 18th centuries – many of which have rarely been displayed before. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Nick Newlin and Joanne Flynn (“Nicolo the Jester” and “The Queen of Whimsey”) of Nicolo Whimsey exchange juggling clubs while Maya (age 8) tries to balance a spinning plate. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- “The little children are as merry as the day is long” Much Ado About Nothing. Nick Newlin of Nicolo Whimsey entertains children with a blend of poetry, music, juggling, comedy, character acting and audience participation. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Nick Newlin and Joanne Flynn (“Nicolo the Jester” and “The Queen of Whimsey”) of Nicolo Whimsey entertain children with a blend of poetry, music, juggling, comedy, character acting and audience participation. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Queen Elizabeth I, portrayed by Penelope Rahming, makes her appearance at the Folger Shakespeare Library. She is accompanied by Lawrence Plotkin as William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Queen Elizabeth I, portrayed by Penelope Rahming, cuts William Shakespeare’s birthday cake at the Folger Shakespeare Library. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Pieces of William Shakespeare’s birthday cake are distributed at the Folger Shakespeare Library. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- “Sweets to the sweet” Hamlet. Lina (age 3) enjoys birthday cake. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- “Tis an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers” (Twelfth Night) Kathleen Pugh as Feste enjoys a piece of birthday cake. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- “If music be the food of love, play on” Members of the Eastern Senior High School Band enjoy birthday cake. (photo by Jeff Malet)
