easyJet, the UK’s largest airline, will entertain tens of thousands of passengers jetting off this Easter with live theatrical performances of Shakespeare plays at airports across Britain.
The free performances are taking place at easyJet check in areas across the UK including Manchester Airport on 16 and 17 April. The special ‘onbard’ entertainment is supporting the airline’s campaign to make 23 April national ‘William Shakespeare day’.
The airline, which has also unveiled a special edition aircraft with a ten foot image of Shakespeare on the fuselage, is campaigning for 100,000 signatures to take the petition to parliament and celebrate the famous playwright’s birthday with an official day in the British calendar.
Actors will perform extracts of the Bard’s most famous works in costume, including Romeo and Juliette, Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Passengers, passers-by and poets alike are invited to enjoy the free performances at easyJet’s check in area at Manchester Airport from 8am – 2pm on both days.
The airline expects to garner several thousand signatures through the free performances and is promoting the campaign online with #Shakesonaplane
Paul Moore, Communications Director for easyJet said:
“William Shakespeare is Britain’s most famous author so easyJet is proud to back the bid to make 23 April his national day. We are asking our UK passengers to sign the petition while suggesting to those from the rest of Europe that they visit the land of Shakespeare to learn more about him and see his works performed.”
Nadhim Zahawi, MP for Stratford-upon-Avon who is supporting easyJet’s campaign, said:
“Is it a Bard, is it a plane? William Shakespeare is one of Britain’s greatest gifts to the world, ‘he was not of an age, but for all time’, and I have long argued this sceptre’d isle should celebrate April 23 as a national holiday. I’m delighted that easyJet have chosen to campaign on this issue.”
easyJet will be collecting signatures and offering free Shakespeare performances at several other airports across the country this month, including:
• London Gatwick: 12th and 13th April
• London Luton: 14th and 15th April
• Edinburgh: 14th and 15th April
• London Stansted: 14th and 15th April
• Manchester: 16th and 17th April
• Bristol: 16th and 17th April
For more information about the campaign and to sign the petition, please visit www.easyJet.com/ShakespeareDay