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Feast on St George's Day
By Amira Hashish, Evening Standard 23.04.08
Food for thought: Borough market will be moved to Trafalgar Square
Transformation: Trafalgar Square is to be the centre of the celebrations
Opening doors: You could perform at The Globe
Look here too
St George's Day
April 23
London is to celebrate St George's Day with a series of free events. The central theme this year is English Food and Trafalgar Square will host the main festivities with Borough Market being relocated to the area. The annual Shakespeare's Birthday celebrations will also be held at the Globe. In addition, the Festival of St George at Covent Garden and parade at the Cenotaph will take place. There is something for everyone:
Borough Market
Where: Trafalgar Square
When: April 23
What to expect: Borough Market is world famous and there is a great variety of food on offer. From oysters to Eccles cakes you will be hard pushed not to find something tasty. There will also be food inspired street theatre from 12pm-7pm including the Mr Whippy and the Connettes show live from an Ice Cream Van and cabaret performance from 12pm-2pm in a celebration of English Food.
Info: www.boroughmarket.org.uk
Shakespeare's Globe
Where: Bankside SE1
When: April 23, 6pm-7pm
What to expect: A floating theatre travelling up the Thames from Butlers Wharf will mark the birthday of Shakespeare and the launch of the theatre's new season.
Info: 020 7401 9919, www.shakespeares-globe.org
St George's Day Gala
Where: Royal Albert Hall
When: April 23, 7.30pm
Price: £43.50 - £12.50
What to expect: World-famous and rousing classics from Walton's Crown Imperial to Elgar s Nimrod from Enigma Variations. A host of favourite English classics will include Land of Hope and Glory, Rule, Britannia! And We'll Meet Again. The Royal Choral Society and Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra are to play. There will also be readings such as the St Crispin's Day Speech from Henry V and poems by Wordsworth and Betjeman.
Info: 020 7589 8212, www.royalalberthall.com
Looking for a new England
Where: Barbican Hall
When: 24 April, 7.30pm, pre-concert talk, 6.30pm
Price: £15-£25
What to expect: Singer-songwriter and guitarist Billy Bragg, has become preoccupied with the concept of Englishness, which inspired his 2002 CD England, Half English. He has also written a book, The Progressive Patriot: A Search For Belonging, which explores questions about English identity at length - and with his characteristic humour. Joining him on stage are Rachel Unthank & The Winterset with their dark folksy tracks, lead singer from indie-rock band The Enemy Tom Clarke and family R'n'B/Country ensemble Kitty, Daisy & Lewis.
Info: 020 7638 4141, www.barbican.org.uk
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Reader views (3)
I was seriously underwhelmed by 'Borough Market' in Trafalgar Square - around 12 small stalls selling overpriced produce. If you're planning to go, I wouldn't bother. Is this the best we can do for St.George's Day?
- Tim, London
Looked at the menu for the food market in Trafalgar Square - Cornish Pasties and Cornish Oysters, I bet both of them fly the black flag/white cross of Cornwall because we all know the Cornish hate the English. They will never fly the flag of St. George. Don't believe me? Ask any Cornish Council if they celebrate St George's Day. Well done Ken, you managed to have another dig at the English.
- St George, London
Blimey, Ken must be worried he's going to get thrown out.
- Anne, London, UK
