York International Shakespeare Festival 2025
A Theatrical Feast starts next week in the Heart of the City
Get ready, York! The York International Shakespeare Festival is making a grand return from Tuesday, 22 April to Sunday, 4 May 2025, bringing with it a vibrant mix of performances, workshops, and events that celebrate the Bard’s enduring legacy. With artists hailing from the US, Ukraine, Japan, Poland, Bulgaria, and Turkey, this year’s festival promises a rich tapestry of global interpretations of Shakespeare’s works.
Festival Highlights:
Henry VI Parts 1, 2, & 3 – “I Am Myself Alone”: Experience a condensed, powerful rendition of the Henry VI trilogy, presented by the York Shakespeare Project and directed by Irwin Appel. 
Re-Lording Richard 3.0: A modern reimagining of Richard III’s story, exploring themes of legacy and perception in the digital age.
A Midsummer Night’s Mischief: A family-friendly, interactive performance by Hoglets Theatre, bringing the magic of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to life for younger audiences. 
Dance the Past: Immerse yourself in Elizabethan culture with a workshop teaching popular dances from the Tudor period, accompanied by period music. 
Alas! Poor Yorick: A unique take on the gravediggers from “Hamlet,” blending comedy and existential reflection. 
Additional Events:
Becoming Othello: A compelling solo performance by Debra Ann Byrd, offering a personal journey through Shakespeare’s “Othello.” 
Ukraine/York Shakespeare Collaboration: A co-created performance uniting artists from York and Ukraine, showcasing the universal appeal of Shakespeare’s themes. 
Bill’s Birthday Karaoke: Celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday with a fun-filled karaoke night, blending classic tunes with a Shakespearean twist.
Plan Your Visit:
Dates: 22 April – 4 May 2025 
Locations: Various venues across York, including Theatre@41 and York St John University Creative Centre 
Tickets: Available for individual events; prices vary
For the full programme and ticket information, visit the York International Shakespeare Festival website.
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the magic of Shakespeare through a global lens, right here in York and as always, if you need a place to stay then just visit our website www.houseofyork.org and book:
- one of our homes for up to six people
- two of our homes for up to 12 people
- or all three together for up to 18 people
Rather conveniently, all our houses are next door to each other!
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Want to hear a great podcast about York?
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Book one of our Holiday Homes for your next trip to York
Are you looking for a great place to stay for your next trip to York. All 3 of our holiday homes are next door to each other which means you can hire them individually for up to 6 people or together for up to 12 (107 & 109 together) or even 18 people (Spencer House & 107 & 109 together).
To check availability and book just visit www.houseofyork.org
We pride ourselves on being couples and family friendly and we try to take any of the stress out of your stay so you can focus on enjoying yourselves and magnificent York.