Yesterday my sister and I set off for Stratford-upon-Avon, flying from Brussels to Birmingham and taken the train south from there. It was a well planned trip, no excitements a long the way, until we arrived and had a great time!

Stratford-upon-Avon is where William Shakespeare was born, wrote splendid plays and poem, and died. It’s a small town with a huge history and lots of tourist now just like back then, I’m sure! You can see pictures and comments on my Flickr album.

After a nice dinner at The Garrick and preparing for the evening at the Arden Way Guest House, we set off to see Hamlet. For me it was the first time I saw a lengthly play like this, so totally new to me. However, it moved me, it took me by surprise and I was even gasping at times! Two famous actors I knew: David Tennant (Hamlet) and Patrick Stewart (Claudius/Ghost), but all actors were great and especially Mariah Gale (Ophelia). The action on stage, which is really in the middle of the audience, is just stunning.. Light and sound effects, take you by surprise.. I mean, I have no idea, but I really really liked it!

Also, the venue, the Courtyard Theatre, was just amazing. Amazing because it is the prototype of the stage at the new Royal Shakespeare Theatre, expected to be finished in 2010. It is now being teared down taking away the historical pieces to put them back later (I guess).

A very nice trip, a bit short, but I’ll go back whenever I can! Next time for a few days..