Lightbear Lane launches the South West Shakespeare Festival
Shakespeare’s influence runs through our national story. His language, characters and ideas continue to shape how we think, speak and create. Yet, the South West doesn’t have a dedicated festival celebrating his living legacy.
That is why Lightbear Lane is launching the South West Shakespeare Festival. And why better than in Exeter, a UNESCO City of Literature.
As cultural producers and place-makers, we are committed to access to the arts, literacy and oracy. After a period of scoping what might be possible, we brought together a wide network of partners to create a rich, inclusive programme that explores Shakespeare from multiple perspectives – performance, history, music, film and everyday life in his time.
A Festival with Something for Everyone, 23rd -26th April
The programme includes:
- The Merchant of Venice – Wild Thyme Theatre with a full, professional cast
- Impressions of Venice – an art exhibition by artist and art historian Dr Sarah Spencer inspired by the play
- If Music Be the Food of Love – an evening of music inspired by the plays with mezzo soprano Iryna Ilnytska and pianist Alex Wilson
- “Live” Shakespeare on Screen – a talk by Prof Pascale Aebischer exploring how Shakespearean productions have been broadcast from stage to cinema and into our homes
- Exeter Cathedral Library & Archives sharing access to Shakespeare’s Folio and work of his contemporaries
- Devon & Exeter Medical Heritage Trust examining medicine and healing in Shakespeare’s world
- Bill Douglas Cinema Museum presenting Shakespeare on stage and screen
- The Devon and Exeter Institution displaying Victorian illustrations of the plays
- St Nicholas Priory hosting a demonstration on Elizabethan food and diet
- Young Poets Awards hosted at Theatre Alibi
- “Hamnet” at Exeter Picturehouse
Together, these events reveal Shakespeare not just as a writer but as a cultural force spanning theatre, science, music, film, print and daily life.
Many events are free, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to participation and that more people can encounter Shakespeare in ways that feel welcoming and relevant.
Young Voices
A key strand of the festival is the Young Poets Awards, working with local schools and inviting children to submit their own poems. During half-term, young people can even post their work into a special poetry postbox at Theatre Alibi. Encouraging children to find their voice through creative writing is central to our mission.
Powered by Partnership
This festival is only possible thanks to the generosity and creativity of our partners, artists and contributors – from performers and musicians to academics and curators – all helping to bring fresh perspectives to Shakespeare’s work.
We are already planning for 2027 and would love to hear from organisations interested in joining future programmes. We are also seeking festival sponsors. Supporting the festival is a powerful way to align your organisation with cultural access, education and community engagement across the South West.
Shakespeare’s legacy belongs to everyone. This festival is about opening the door wider and inviting the next generation to step through it.
Find out more via the festival page and get in touch to be part of the journey.
