Legacy
Legacy
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This month, the world celebrates 400 years of William Shakespeare. Across the globe, a whole range of activities are taking place: from special performances to film screenings, you don't have to look far to see people coming together to commemorate the world's greatest playwright.
In Brixton, our neighbours were only too keen to join in the celebrations. Justine, Thakor and the gang came together to share their stories, memories and knowledge of Shakespeare.
Younger neighbours were treated to some beautiful, surprise renditions of Shakespeare's most famous speeches. Richard proudly presented his favourite soliloquy 'To be or not to be' – from memory and word perfect.
Elsewhere, Bill wowed everyone with a special Othello recital for his wife Diona, to commemorate their 37th wedding anniversary. There wasn't a dry eye in the house!
Neighbours' Shakespeare knowledge was then put to a test with a quiz. How many children did Shakespeare have? Is "What's past is prologue" hip-hop or Shakespeare? From which play comes the line "The course of true love never did run smooth"? (Tweet us your answers!)
The Bill's Babes team went head-to-head with Merchant of Brixton; The Globe Trotters were snatching points from Midsummer Night Dreamers. It was a tense hour but it was the Shakesperience team that took the title of Shakespeare buffs!
After a short interval comprising pizza and cake, we asked our neighbours to be mean. In a once and never again moment at South London Cares, our neighbours insulted each other. Of course, it was all done in jest; volunteers and older neighbours unleashed their inner actors and used Shakespearian words to abuse their fellow teammates.
The winning insult came from volunteer Natalie and her friend Adoration. Natalie called Adoration a "bee-headed egg-shell". The room gasped. A silence fell. And in reply, Adoration – full of venom and jest – told Natalie she was a "hideous, evil-eyed, dog-fish". The room cheered in surprise!
It was a magical afternoon, celebrating a playwright whose words are just as powerful, magical and moving 400 years on. Indeed, through speaking Shakespeare, we were reminded that age really doesn't matter. It's people that matter. It's words. It's love, anger, sorrow, humour, mishaps – it's experience that brings us together. If "all the world's a stage", it's the company of others that makes our own leading roles so much brighter. And as insults were being exchanged across the room to fits of laughter, we were reminded of a line from The Tempest:
"I would not wish any companion in the world but you."
Finally, here's a small gift from our neighbours in Brixton. Many thanks for beautiful performances from Justine, Daphne, Gareth, Thakor, Mary, Catherine and Richard, who knew this speech so well he continued to recite it off by heart.
Enjoy!